Statistical Programming and Data Analysis
Click on Health Data Analysis Major Projects (PDF) for additional information concerning our current major projects.
Databases from complex, multistage sample surveys
Since the early 1980s, Social & Scientific Systems has been developing hierarchical databases from complex, multistage sample surveys. These public health surveys have included the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey (MEPS) and its predecessors, as collected by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) and the Community Tracking Study, as collected by the Center for Studying Health System Change. These surveys often require specialized software tools for projecting and weighting the files, especially when subsets of data are analyzed. Click on the links for more information about Working with MEPS Data (PDF) and Working with HCUP Data (PDF).
Descriptive and inferential statistical analyses
We provide a complete range of statistical programming expertise, including the following:
- Descriptive statistics
- Application of sampling weights
- Determination of standard errors
- Significance testing
- Multivariate analysis
- Nonlinear regression
- Survival analysis
- Proportional hazard analysis
- Statistical matching
- Statistical imputation
Our programmers have considerable experience in statistical analysis of most of the large National Health Databases.
Analytical database development
To focus on the specific population and analytical areas of interest for our clients, we often develop analytical data files that are subsets of larger files, contain variables across multiple files, and have specially created analytical variables on the files. Our programmers have many years of experience in working closely with our clients and understand the analytical nuances in the public health data as well as the analytical environment in which our clients are working. We have developed a very collaborative relationship with the many research analysts and policymakers with whom we work. Click on these links for information about Working with MEPS Data (PDF) and Working with HCUP Data (PDF).
Microsimulation modeling
Our programmers have worked closely with health research analysts to develop microsimulation models to examine current health care policies and to simulate and evaluate the socioeconomic impact of possible health care reforms. We are currently working with analysts to develop State-based models that simulate the expansion of health insurance coverage. We previously worked with Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ) analysts to develop models for simulating insurance reimbursement, provisions of specified policy or health care financing proposals, and Federal, State, and local income and payroll tax calculations.