Government documents are useful in researching health topics, whether for statistical data or information on various subjects. Start with the Government Docs search box on the Library website.
The following Web resources are useful in finding information and statistics on health topics:
Health Canada
This site, the home page for the Canadian federal government department responsible for health, contains links to health care topics and organizations through an A-Z list.
Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI)
This independent, not-for-profit organization is funded by federal and provincial ministries of health. Its areas of interest include national health indicators, national health information standards, health databases and registries, analysis and participation in health research, and dissemination of health information, e.g., Regulated Nurses: Canadian Trends 2005-2009 contains information from CIHI Nursing Database data which covers the three regulated nursing professions in Canada: registered nurses (RNs), licensed practical nurses (LPNs) and registered psychiatric nurses (RPNs). Looking for information on how to navigate CIHI? Need help using the CIHI website? Review Queen's University's guide on Exploring CIHI's Information Resources.
Statistics Canada
In addition to the census information, this site contains statistics on the country’s population, resources, economy, society and culture. Example of publications include Health Reports, Health Profile (community level data), Health Trends and Canadian Social Trends.
Note: The Data Liberation Initiative provides UPEI students, faculty and staff access to numerous Statistics Canada public use microdata files, databases and geographic files for use in research and teaching.
Open Data Portal (Government Canada)
Community Information Database
" ... a free internet-based resource developed to provide communities, researchers, and governments with access to consistent and reliable socio-economic and demographic data and information for all communities across Canada."
World Health Organization
Contents include health information and statistics for various countries, current health topics, the WHO Statistical Information System, and WHO publications, such as the World Health Report.
World Bank Open Data
Contains economic, social, population, and development data for over 200 countries. One of the broad topic areas is health.
National Center for Health Statistics (U.S.)
Maintained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, this site is a major source of health statistics for the United States.
Compiled by: Dawn Hooper, B.Sc., M.L.S.
Former Liaison Librarian for Nursing
Date Revised: 01-December-2020