Oregon Center for Health Statistics

About Vital Statistics

What are vital statistics?

Vital statistics are when vital records data is organized and analyzed to provide high quality information that helps with research, informs public policy, and improves the health of Oregonians through public health programs.

Oregon's Center for Health Statistics is responsible for vital statistics, as well as collecting the vital records data and ensuring that it meets standards for quality.

Why are vital statistics important?

Some of the most important information about the health of Oregonians comes from vital records. From information about access to prenatal care and birth outcomes to tracking leading causes of death, vital records information documents major life events for community members. Vital records data are used throughout the state and nation for analysis of health trends, program planning, and policy development.

Government programs also use vital records data to serve Oregonians more efficiently. Examples include Paid Leave Oregon, Social Security, Medicaid, Division of Child Support, and Child Welfare.

Vital records data is considered foundational. Many research and public programs are built using vital records data as a starting point and would not be able to function without it.

Preliminary vs. final data

It's important that vital records data is both timely and accurate. To meet both goals, data is published twice:

Preliminary (not final) data is published as quickly as possible so that rough information is available quickly. This data will change and be improved by staff as they work with partners who provide the data to identify inconsistencies, missing information, and ways to improve the quality of the data. Preliminary data can be used for tracking recent health events but should not be used for statistical analysis.

Final data is typically published in the fall the year after it is collected. For example, final 2025 death record data would likely be published in late 2026. This delay is because some records require months to be registered and extensive work is done to make sure the data is as accurate and complete as possible. Make sure the dashboard or dataset you are using contains final data if you are using the information for research or reporting that requires final numbers.

Which vital events are registered?

Vital events include birth, death, marriage, divorce, Oregon Registered Domestic Partnerships, fetal death and induced terminations of pregnancy.

The Center for Health Statistics registers only those vital events occurring in Oregon. However, information on births occurring out-of-state to Oregon residents is also reported through an interstate exchange agreement. Data may be organized by residence (where the person lived) or by occurrence (where the event occurred).