Western Pacific Country Health Information Profiles

The 2006 edition of the Western Pacific Country Health Information Profiles (CHIPS) comprises of country profiles and health databanks for the countries and areas of the Region. The data are either supplied by the health ministries/departments or compiled from national databases and reference libraries. However data reliability and data coverage vary for each indicator and from country to country. The country profiles provide a general description of the sociodemographic and health conditions of each country as well as the political and health care systems. The following indicators are included: demographics gender and poverty; political situation; economic situation; health trends; health systems; national health plans and priorities. Additional information includes list of major information sources; contact information for the Ministry/Department of Health and the WHO Representatives or Country Liaison Officer for WHO; Health Ministry/Department organizational chart. The country health databank is annexed to each country profile and is more detailed in containing different sets of indicators to reflect the country's sociodemographic and economic conditions; the health status regarding leading causes of morbidity and mortality; and the number of cases and deaths from selected diseases; the health system as regard health workforce and infrastructure; and health service coverage such as immunization of infants. It also contains the indicators used to monitor progress in achieving the health-related Millennium Development Goals. At the end of the publication is a statistical annex that summarizes most of the information in the health databanks to facilitate intercountry comparisons. The statistical annex also contains indicators on selected health conditions such as HIV and obesity smoking behaviour and child care as well as major emergencies in the Region in the last two years.