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Physical Therapy

Guide to locating research evidence and tools for Physical Therapy students and faculty.

Data vs. Statistics

When searching for health data or statistics, consider the difference:

As noted in the MSU Libraries LibGuide STT 200 Statistical Methods: What is Data?, "Data is the raw information from which statistics are created. Put in the reverse, statistics provide an interpretation and summary of data."

For additional resources and tips for locating data or statistics related to health topics, visit the Health Data & Statistics Research Guide.

Sources for Data and Statistics

National Center for Health Statistics
The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) (http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/) collects and disseminates data on major health indicators affecting the population.

Incidence & Prevalence Database (IPD) This link opens in a new window
The Incidence and Prevalence Database (IPD) looks at the world's epidemiology data. The IPD covers over 4,500 diseases, procedures, symptoms and other health issues for incidence, prevalence, morbidity, mortality, comorbidity, treated or diagnosed rates and cost.

Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services
Regulations, guidance, research, statistics and data all from the Health and Human Services Department.
National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
"[A] program of studies designed to assess the health and nutritional status of adults and children in the United States" (from the website)