There are a number of health indicators that are used to compare the health of two regions. These include death rates per thousand people, infant mortality rates, average life expectancy, and various morbidity indicators. By comparing these statistics between regions, researchers can gauge the extent of disease burden in each community. The data is also useful in tracking particular health problems.
While all of these data sources have their own limitations, using them together is the most desirable approach. For instance, the Ministry of Health has formed a consortium of health institutes to identify the most relevant data sources for certain indicators. Other international databases rely on publicly available data provided by national authorities. However, their availability, comparability, and time periods can vary. In other words, a comparison between health in two regions can be difficult.