Statistics and data
These organisations are important providers of statistics for the health profession.
- ABS Statistics
Australia's national statistical agency and an official source of independent, reliable information. Access to the full range of the Bureau's statistical and reference information, including census data from 1996 onwards.
- Australian Data ArchiveThe Australian Data Archive (ADA) provides a national service for the collection and preservation of digital research data and to make these data available for secondary analysis by academic researchers and other users.
- Australian Institute of Health and WelfareThe Australian Institute of Health and Welfare (AIHW) is Australia's national agency for health and welfare statistics and information. The Institute produces authoritative publications about key health and welfare issues in Australia. The website offers an online catalogue of AIHW data holdings as well as the option to read publications online.
- World Bank Open DataIncludes World Bank Development Indicators: 900 indicators organised in six sections: World View, People, Environment, Economy, States and Markets, and Global Links. Click Data Catalog > Databank.
- World Health OrganizationWHO is the directing and coordinating authority for health within the United Nations system. It is responsible for providing leadership on global health matters, shaping the health research agenda, setting norms and standards, articulating evidence-based policy options, providing technical support to countries and monitoring and assessing health trends. WHO is an excellent source of international and comparative statistics.
- Global Health Observatory (GHO)"Global Health Observatory (GHO) is a gateway to health-related statistics from around the world. The aim of the GHO is to: compile and verify major sources of health data; provide easy access to country data and metadata; present scientifically sound information in user-friendly formats. GHO theme pages will cover global health priorities such as the health-related Millennium Development Goals, women and health, mortality and burden of disease, disease outbreaks, health equity and health systems. Each theme page will present: highlights showing the global situation and trends, using regularly updated core indicators; data views customized for each theme, including country profiles and a map gallery; publications relevant to the theme; links to relevant web pages within WHO and elsewhere.
Find statistics
Statistics are often freely available on the web. When trying to find statistical information, ask yourself:
- Are statistics likely to have been collected on this topic?
- If so, which organisation would collect/publish these type of statistics?
Publishers include:
- State government;
- Federal government;
- International governments;
- International agencies;
- Private entities; and
- Membership organisations.
Statistics may also be reported in newspaper, magazine and journal articles.
Be prepared for the possibility that:
- Statistics may not exist for the variables you require;
- The most recent statistics available may be several years old; and
- Some statistics are not freely available.