DATA FILE CHARACTERISTICS

Each record on the annual data file contains two multiple cause-of-death 
fields which have been coded using ICD-9.  In addition, underlying cause, 
demographic, and geographic detail data accompany the multiple cause-of-death
data.  The data file contains the complete level of detail coded by NCHS 
except where precluded by confidentiality restrictions or lack of data 
reliability.

Specifications for the 1994 data file are as follows:

U.S. DATA SET:

Record count:               2,282,288
Record Length:              359
Data Counts:                a. By occurrence:            2,282,288
                            b. By residence:             2,278,994
                            c. To foreign residents:         3,294

PUERTO RICO DATA SET:

Record count:               28,444
Record Length:              359
Data Counts:                a. By occurrence:               28,444
                            b. By residence:                28,290
                            c. To foreign residents:           164

VIRGIN ISLANDS DATA SET:

Record count:               594
Record Length:              359
Data Counts:                a. By occurrence:                  594
                            b. By residence:                   554
                            c. To foreign residents:            40

GUAM DATA SET:

Record count:               628
Record Length:              359
Data Counts:                a. By occurrence:                  628
                            b. By residence:                   605
                            c. To foreign residents:            23













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