Specifies a common health indicators conceptual framework, and is intended to foster a common vocabulary and conceptual definitions for the resultant framework.

This International Standard establishes a common health indicators conceptual framework and is intended to foster a common vocabulary and conceptual definitions for the resultant framework. The framework defines the appropriate dimensions and sub-dimensions required to describe the health of the population and performance of a health care system, is sufficiently broad (high-level) to accommodate a variety of health care systems, and is comprehensive, encapsulating all of the factors related to health outcomes and health system performance and utilization, as well as regional and national variations. NOTE1 See AnnexB for a more complete discussion of the underlying rationale for this framework. NOTE2 Many countries have already developed their own models for directing the collection and analysis of health indicators. For the purposes of national reporting, these existing frameworks are not expected to change. Rather, this framework can be viewed as a complement to currently existing frameworks. For example, if a particular health indicators framework currently focuses only on health system performance, the comprehensive approach proposed here can serve to augment and/or supplement the currently used model or models. NOTE3 Individual jurisdictions may elect to operationalize the conceptual framework differently. Because the conceptual dimensions represent a high-level taxonomy, this provides considerable discretion and leeway in the selection of specific indicators by individual countries. This focus on a high-level taxonomy also allows for sufficient flexibility for the inclusion of new indicators in the future, as new issues emerge and additional data become available. Because specific data elements are not defined, jurisdictions have the freedom to populate this framework with the most relevant, and available, indicators for their specific situations. This International Standard does not identify or describe individual indicators or specific data elements for the health indicators conceptual framework; nor does it address needs analysis, demand analysis or the range of activities that need to be supported for health system management. The definition of benchmarks and/or approaches used in the definition of benchmarks is outside the scope of this International Standard.