Epidemiology, health systems research, and statistics/data systems / report of an ADAMHA workgroup.

  • United States. Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration.
Date:
1978
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Epidemiology, health systems research, and statistics/data systems / report of an ADAMHA workgroup. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    data is urgent if we are to understand and meet the different needs which exist in our society. Data to determine the avail- ability and utilization of services are also insufficient. Without such data, it is difficult to assess needs or to plan for and deliver services. ADAMHA, as the PHS agency with major responsibility for research and data collection concerning the alcohol, drug and mental health (ADM) service system, must improve its capacity to develop and integrate its health care research programs. Its three Institutes have contributed significantly to understanding of the ADM service system, as one com- ponent of the total U.S. health care system. Yet, in view of the press- ing information demands required for National health policy development, the current knowledge base about ADM services and clientele is fragmentary at best. There are major gaps in our data on the scope or prevalence of ADM disorders and problems, on the capability of our current service system to address them, and on the costs, efficiency and effectiveness of services. 3 The lack of such information is felt in many quarters: by State and local health and ADM service planners who need such data to aid in the administration and development of programs; by ADAMHA which needs a knowledge base to guide its service program development and support strategies; and by PHS and Congressional policy makers and planners who require comprehensive data on the existing health care system to shape decisions on forthcoming changes. Given intense public and professional concern with the cost, quality, equity, accessibility, and efficacy of health care in America, closing these knowledge gaps takes on particular urgency. National health policies and programs are being studied and implemented to address many of these issues. If ADM services are to receive appropriate considera- tion and structure within this policy framework, data must be available to document how the ADM service system meets the needs of its intended constituency and fits into the larger context of general health services. In view of the foregoing concerns, the ADAMHA Workgroup on Epidemiology, Health Services Research*, and Statistics/Data Systems was convened by Dr. Klerman as one of four ADAMHA workgroups devoted to key policy- % Although the Workgroup's original title has been retained, the. scope of its investigation encompasses less than the entire field of health services research. As explained on pages 18-23, its primary focus within that field has been on health systems re- search.