National Vital Statistics Reports, Volume 59, Number 7, July 27, Form

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[ music playing ] The National Vital Statistics System also provides answers to basic questions about deaths: the who, when, where, and why questions. Knowing about death also tells about survival in the United States. The death certificate, collected by the states, captures valuable demographic and medical information. These data are widely used to identify and target areas to improve public health. Some of the major news stories of the past two decades have featured these data, underscoring its importance to the lives of everyone in the United States. Infant mortality is used as a key indicator of a nation's well-being. The United States has made great strides in reducing infant mortality over the decades, although progress has slowed in recent years. When compared with other nations, it is clear that there is a need for continued improvement. Babies born too soon are of interest and this is one of the important factors that limit improvements in infant mortality. [ music