This Bernan Press title fills the gap created when the National Center for Health Statistics ceased publication of its Vital Statistics compendia in 1992. This volume includes both current and historical statistics and, when appropriate, details by state and metropolitan area and comparisons to foreign countries. Equal emphasis is given to data on natality and mortality. Mortality data is supplemented by selected background statistics on high-risk persons, such as smokers, patients with HIV, diabetics, and persons with heart disease. New to the third edition are expanded subsections on health expenditures and health insurance.