Vital Statistics
Heale Medical Primary Care
What are Vital Statistics?
Vital statistics refer to data related to life events such as births, deaths, marriages, divorces, and fetal deaths. These statistics are often collected by governments and health organizations to understand population trends and health outcomes.
Importance of Vital Statistics
- Policy Development
Governments use vital statistics to create policies on health, education, and social welfare. - Public Health Planning
They provide insight into mortality rates, disease prevalence, and life expectancy, aiding in the allocation of healthcare resources. - Demographic Analysis
Vital statistics help in understanding population growth, age distribution, and fertility trends. - Economic Planning
These statistics are crucial for forecasting labor force availability, planning infrastructure, and determining social security needs. - Monitoring Social Changes
Data on marriages, divorces, and births reveal social trends and shifts in cultural practices.
Pros of Vital Statistics
- Evidence-Based Decision Making
They provide reliable data for planning and implementing health and social programs. - Trend Analysis
Longitudinal data allows governments and researchers to analyze trends over time, such as declining mortality or fertility rates. - Resource Allocation
Governments can allocate resources effectively, targeting regions or populations with high mortality or birth rates. - Health Improvements
Insights into causes of death or disease prevalence help prioritize health interventions, reducing preventable mortality.
Cons of Vital Statistics
- Data Inaccuracy
Incomplete or misreported events (e.g., unregistered births in rural areas) can lead to skewed data. - High Costs
Maintaining a comprehensive vital statistics system requires significant financial and human resources. - Privacy Concerns
Improper handling of sensitive personal data can lead to breaches of confidentiality. - Time Lag
There can be a delay in the collection, processing, and dissemination of data, which may reduce its immediate usefulness. - Biases in Collection
Socioeconomic and geographic factors can result in underreporting or overrepresentation of certain demographics.
Conclusion
Vital statistics are indispensable tools for governments, researchers, and policymakers. While they come with challenges like accuracy and costs, their benefits in guiding health and development initiatives far outweigh the disadvantages. By improving data collection methods and ensuring inclusivity, vital statistics can become even more reliable and impactful.
Heale Medical Primary Care Doctors
DR. SARAH PARK, M.D.
Dr. Park completed the Bachelor of Science / Doctor of Medicine program at Northeastern Ohio Medical University. She completed an internal medicine residency at Case Western Metro Health in Cleveland, Ohio, and is Internal Medicine board-certified physician. Dr. Park has 10 years of experience and prior to starting at Heale Medical, she worked in academic medicine as well as hospitalist work. Her focuses include preventative care and women’s health. In her spare time, she enjoys traveling, exercise and spending time with her husband and two children. She also likes to volunteer at church and with various global health organizations.
DR. STEPHANIE NG, D.O.
Dr. Stephanie Ng completed her undergraduate studies at University of New England in Maine after serving as a medic in the US Army for four years. She graduated with a degree in Medical Biology and began working in the biotech/pharmaceutical field as a research assistant. She attended the University of New England College of Osteopathic Medicine and completed her Internal Medicine Residency program with the US Army in El Paso, TX. Upon completion of her program, she was assigned to the largest American hospital outside of the US in Germany.
During her time there, she worked as a primary care physician until she was deployed to Afghanistan as a Battalion Surgeon with the 2nd Cavalry Infantry unit. With the help of her medics and PA, she ran a sick call clinic for her soldiers, attended to minor traumas, provided medical training/education to the combat medics as well as organized a Flu vaccination clinic and Osteopathic Manipulation Treatment Day alongside her Physical Therapist. Throughout her career she had worked in various positions to include hospitalist, primary care and urgent care.
Her medical interests include preventive healthcare, integrative medicine, OMT and aesthetics. Dr. Ng is fluent in Spanish as well.
In her spare time she enjoys spending time with her children, traveling, watching movies, dancing and having adventures where ever life takes her!
JOSHUA MONTGOMERY, CERTIFIED PHYSICAN ASSISTANT (PA)
Joshua Montgomery is certified physician assistant (PA)and graduate of Shenandoah University’s PA program. He most recently completed his Doctorate of Medical Science degree from Shenandoah University. Joshua also holds a Master of Public Health degree from Virginia Commonwealth University School of Medicine and worked many years in public health before becoming a PA.
His professional interest lies in preventative medicine, particularly biopsychosocial connection for chronic disease prevention and management, as well interest in Men’s health.
In addition, Joshua serves on the Board of Directors for the Virginia Association of Minority PAs as well as the nccPA Health Foundation.
In his free time, Joshua enjoys sports especially basketball and football. He also enjoys live music events, food festivals, and exploring nice outdoor parks.
Heale Medical Primary Care
8300 Boone Boulevard
Suite 150
Vienna, VA 22182
