Monday, December 15, 2014

NHS User Guide

Question

The NHS User Guide <http://www12.statcan.gc.ca/nhs-enm/2011/ref/nhs-enm_guide/99-001-x2011001-eng.pdf> in section 6.3 indicates for areas with 50%+ GNR that “The estimates for such areas have such a high level of error that they should not be released under most circumstances.” What are the circumstances under which they might be released? 

Answer

All geographic areas are available through a custom data tabulation from the nearest regional office provided that these areas are not suppressed due to data confidentiality rules. This is mentioned in the 2011 NHS Data Quality and Confidentiality Standards and Guidelines (Public) <http://www12.statcan.ca/nhs-enm/2011/ref/DQ-QD/index-eng.cfm> as well as the data confidentiality rules for the NHS:

Geographic areas with a global non-response rate higher than or equal to 50% are suppressed from standard data products but will be available as a custom request.