Data-Driven Decision-making

Data-driven decision-making in government uses reliable evidence—surveys, administrative records, health reports, and program data—to target resources, measure results, and protect the public more effectively.

Collecting trusted data

Agencies rely on large-scale collection tools to understand populations and needs, from the decennial counts and samples described in The Census vs. The American Community Survey to the deeper methods explained in The American Community Survey, Explained.

Protecting health and safety

Public-health decisions depend on timely safety monitoring systems—like the vaccine reporting described in Vaccine Safety and VAERS: A Guide—so regulators can spot risks and act quickly.

Shaping services and policy

Operational and program data help agencies allocate funds and improve outcomes; for example, education data guide priorities and grants as outlined in What the U.S. Department of Education Does. Strong governance, clear inventories, and secure sharing are essential to turning data into better services.