Overview
Dataset Summary
The CDC WONDER (Wide-ranging ONline Data for Epidemiologic Research) platform provides public access to a wide range of U.S. public health datasets, including national birth and death certificate data.
Comprehensive mortality data are available from 1999–present, with more limited mortality files available from 1968–present. The platform also includes natality data, environmental data (e.g., temperature, air quality, precipitation), limited infectious disease surveillance data (e.g., sexually transmitted infections, tuberculosis), and vaccine adverse event data. CDC WONDER is widely used for descriptive epidemiology and public health surveillance.
Caveats
- Most publicly available data are aggregated at the national level; some stratification by state or county is available.
- Access to more granular geographic identifiers requires a formal application and Data Use Agreement, which may take months to obtain.
- Primarily suited for descriptive and population-level analyses rather than individual-level longitudinal research.
- Limited covariate detail compared with survey or linked administrative datasets.
Examples of Outcomes Examined
- Leading causes of death
- Mortality variation across census regions
- Trends in birth rates and infant mortality
- Environmental exposures and population health patterns
- Reported cases of selected infectious diseases
Topic
Clinical Epidemiology, Population Health, Social Determinants of Health
Resource Type
Dataset
Share
Related Resources
National Hospital Care Survey (NHCS)
Overview Topic: Hospital Utilization; Inpatient Care; Emergency Department Care; Outpatient Services Dataset…
Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS)
Overview Topic: Labor Market Activity; Employment; Wages; Inflation; Productivity; Occupational Safety Dataset…
National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH)
Overview Topic: Substance Use; Mental Health; Treatment Access; Behavioral Health Dataset Type:…
