Freq. Asked Questions

Why aren't all the data from the same year?
What if I am not sure whether data I have would be useful?
Will Infobase ever contain other variables than the ones shown at present?
What if the data I have are not in English, French or Spanish?
Aren't comparisons invalid if data vary in quality and methodology?
What if I have a question that is not included in the FAQs?

WHY AREN'T ALL THE DATA FROM THE SAME YEAR?

Our goal is to provide the most recent data available. For some countries, the most recent data that we have found may be a few years old. Even within a country or province/state some variables may be from one year while others are older or more recent. If you are aware of more recent data than what is shown, we would appreciate it being brought to our attention. With time we hope to accumulate data from several years and thus be able to show trends.

WHAT IF I AM NOT SURE WHETHER DATA I HAVE WOULD BE USEFUL?

We would be pleased to review all data and determine its usefulness. While the quantity of the data can vary, sometimes it may be better to identify what is available than to show no data at all, particularly as we try, where possible, to comment on the methodology by which the data were collected.

WILL INFOBASE EVER CONTAIN OTHER VARIABLES THAN THE ONES SHOWN AT PRESENT?

Information needs are constantly changing. We have begun with a range of the more commonly used/requested variables. As we become aware of other variables for which many countries have or are likely to collect data, these will be added to Infobase. We also appreciate your suggestions.

WHAT IF THE DATA I HAVE ARE NOT IN ENGLISH, FRENCH OR SPANISH?

Our limited resources do not allow us to handle texts in other languages. If you can provide translation into one of the three languages of Infobase ie, English, French or Spanish, we will be able to make use of the data.

AREN'T COMPARISONS INVALID IF DATA VARY IN QUALITY AND METHODOLOGY?

Yes, caution must be exercised when making comparisons with non-standardized data. By exposing the variation in measurement and collection of the data that are available, we hope to stimulate epidemiological surveillance based on standardized methods. The World Health Organization MONICA Project was an attempt to conduct surveillance using standardized methodologies in over 20 countries and serves as a model for such collaboration.

WHAT IF I HAVE A QUESTION THAT IS NOT INCLUDED IN THE FAQs?

Please submit your question(s) to us. We will try to answer all questions and if the same or similar question is posed by more than 5 users, it will be added to the list.