Jayne,

Arkansas Center for Health Statistics is a SAS shop.  We use it for everything.  Why?  Most of CDC that I am aware of uses SAS also.  So programs and data sets that are shared/exchanged with CDC don't need conversion.  A very large portion of statisticians (probably greater than 90%) uses SAS at some point, although they may also use other tools.  SAS probably has the widest range of complicated procedures in its tool box.  Use is wide spread in the business and scientific community.

Why not use it?  Not the easiest tool to learn from scratch.  Expensive if you have to buy your own licenses, although CDC hands some out free with grants.

What about SPSS?  Cheaper.  Easier to work with.  Certainly does a good job on a wide range of typical problems.

If you are looking, look at STATA.  Haven't used it, but I hear very good reports.  

John Senner
Arkansas Health Statistics

 -----Original Message-----
From: 	Leslie Himstedt  
Sent:	Monday, July 31, 2006 10:53 AM
To:	John Senner
Subject:	FW: statistical data collection

Hi John.  Ed Just said you might be able to comment on this.  I told Jayne Brown we used SAS but I'm not sure in what capacity.  Thanks.

Leslie Himstedt
Newborn Screening Supervisor.

-----Original Message-----
From: Communication for the Heartland Regional Genetics Group
[mailto:[log in to unmask]]On Behalf Of Jayne Brown
Sent: Monday, July 31, 2006 10:35 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: statistical data collection


Thank you everyone for your input. Most everyone has SAS. Does it meet 
the needs? Are you satisfied with it? I'm just trying to evaluate what 
we have and see what is being used out there and what is most effective. 
Are the genetics data linked to the state health dept in other states? 
ND does not have the linkage, nor is the genetics department a part of 
the Health or Human Services Department. So the next question to ask 
then, should we be linking that data in the future, and what about HIPAA?
Thank you for your input, it's appreciated. Jayne


Sharmini Rogers wrote:

>Missouri uses SAS too.
>
>
>Dr. Sharmini V. Rogers, MBBS, MPH, Chief
>Bureau of Genetics and Healthy Childhood
>Section for Healthy Families and Youth
>Division of Community and Public Health
>Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services
>930 Wildwood Drive
>Jefferson City MO 65109
>E-mail: [log in to unmask]
>Tel: 573-751-6214
>
>CONFIDENTIALITY STATEMENT
>This electronic communication is from the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services and is confidential, privileged and intended only for the use of the recipient named above. If you are not the intended recipient or the employee or agent responsible for delivering this information to the intended recipient, unauthorized disclosure, copying, distribution or use of the contents of this transmission is strictly prohibited. If you have received this message in error, please notify the sender immediately at the following email address [log in to unmask] .  Thank you
>
>
>
>
>  
>
>>>>[log in to unmask] 7/31/2006 8:45 AM >>>
>>>>        
>>>>
>Hi everyone,
>I'm evaluating a SPSS Statistical Analysis Program for our office and am 
>wondering what everyone else uses for data collection for their 
>organization. Thank you, Jayne
>
>  
>


-- 
*Jayne Brown*
Human Service Information Coordinator
Division of Medical Genetics
UND School of Medicine & Health Services
PO Box 9037
Grand Forks, ND 58202-9037
(701) 777-4277

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