Introduction to NC Vital Statistics Data

This Web site contains documentation for North Carolina vital statistics data files that are available for public use. Both documentation and data files can be downloaded from this Web site. These files were created and made available by the State Center for Health Statistics (SCHS) in response to numerous requests from users of vital statistics data who desire analysis different from that normally published by the SCHS. The Howard W. Odum Institute for Research in Social Science at UNC -- Chapel Hill maintains this Web site to increase public awareness and access to these data.

SCHS continually strives to be responsive to the needs of users of vital statistics data. In recent years we have made tremendous strides in the timeliness, the content, and the number of different publications released from this office. Yet, we realize that the published reports can never meet everyone's needs. Keeping in mind our legal and moral obligations concerning the confidentiality of these reported vital events, we have created these data files such that each record does not identify an individual yet retains all variables of statistical interest that were originally captured from the certificates.

Neither SCHS nor the Odum Institute assumes responsibility for any interpretations or conclusions which may be made based on these data. We recommend that users follow the guidelines in this publication, which are included to help the user better utilize the data files and to help us better meet our objectives in the dissemination of vital statistics data.

Access to these files is available through this Web site. Any questions regarding this Web page or accessing these data at UNC should be directed to:

Chris Wiesen
Institute for Research in Social Science
CB# 3355
University of North Carolina
Chapel Hill, NC 27599-3355
Phone: (919) 843-5110
Fax: (919) 962-4777
Chris_Wiesen@unc.edu

Any questions regarding SCHS and these data that are not related to the Web site should be directed to:

State Center for Health Statistics
North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services
1908 Mail Service Center
Raleigh NC 27699-1908

Telephone (919) 733-4728

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Direct comments or questions to Chris_Wiesen@unc.edu.