Health Statistics & Data Management analyzes information from reported birth records and distributes statistical reports to government agencies and other requesting public and private organizations.  The data is used to plan, administer and evaluate health and other programs.

Although the Health Statistics and Data Management Section analyzes birth and death data, it does not maintain the actual vital records or certificates.  To make inquiries about birth certificates or death certificates, contact the Division of Vital Records Administration at the New Hampshire Secretary of State's Office. 

The Division of Vital Records in the Office of the Secretary of State is responsible to collect information on births to NH residents and births occurring in NH in accordance with NH Administrative Rules.  Hospitals and midwives report the information to the Division of Vital Records.  Out-of-state births to NH residents are collected by the state where the birth occurs and reported to NH through an interstate exchange agreement.  HSDM receives birth data from the Division of Vital Records.

Birth data consists of information from a birth certificate including:

• Newborn's sex, weight, period of gestation, date of birth and congenital anomalies,
• Mother's and father's residence, age, race and ancestry, and
• Many characteristics of the pregnancy and birth including maternal smoking and alcohol use, method of delivery, use of prenatal care and complications of the pregnancy.

The birth data is typically considered complete and available for analysis approximately eight months after the close of a calendar year.  The most recent birth data available for analysis is calendar year 2003.  In addition to performing special analyses of the data, HSDM publishes an annual vital statistics report that contains tabulations of birth data.