Mortality Data Description

Name of the Study/Data Set: Mortality Data.

Sponsor: Tennessee Department of Health.

Contact:
Division of Health Statistics, Tennessee Department of Health
425 Fifth Avenue North, Cordell Hull Building 4th Floor
Nashville, Tennessee 37243
Phone: (615)741-1954

Source:  Tennessee Department of Health, Certificates of Death.

Description:  This data set includes information on all deaths occurring to Tennessee residents as well as deaths occurring out-of-state to Tennessee residents for the covered years. Basic demographic characteristics are available for the decedent along with detailed information pertaining to the cause of death. Data linking infant deaths (under 1 year of age) with their corresponding Tennessee birth record are available through Health Statistics.

Sample:   Population. All recorded deaths of Tennessee residents no matter where they die.

Methods of Data Collection: A standardized Certificate of Death is filled out for all deaths occurring in Tennessee and forwarded to the Tennessee Department of Health, Office of Vital Records. Copies of certificates for deaths occurring to Tennessee residents in other states are forwarded to the Tennessee Department of Health in the interstate exchange system.

Scope/Geographic Scale: All deaths occurring in Tennessee (Tennessee resident data only) as well as deaths occurring to Tennessee residents who died out-of-state.

Target Population:  Same as Scope/Geographic Scale.

Duration (Number of Years Covered): 1990-2006.

Variables Included:  Data includes basic demographic characteristics of the decedent such as age, sex, race, marital status, place of birth, place of death and place of residence as well as detailed information on the cause of death. Data on infant deaths (under 1 year of age) can be linked with their corresponding Tennessee birth record data.

Uses of the Study/Data Set: To document the number, characteristics, and distribution of deaths in Tennessee as well as to determine the prevalence and relative impact of various causes of death in the Tennessee population and to delineate various public health problems in the state, especially by county and region. The availability of data for more than one year will allow for trend analyses as well as the calculation of three - year averages to compensate for small numbers and/or uneven yearly fluctuations in recorded events, especially in the smaller counties.

Strengths:  The death data are based upon a standardized and uniform record collection system. They are a population, not a sample.

Limitations or Biases:  Inaccurate or incomplete cause of death reporting is the most important problem with death data.