Allocating resources to address the various and competing needs of a population, requires comprehensive sets of information. The complexity of these needs has led to the development of data systems, with significant funds spent each year on data collection, manipulation, analysis and the dissemination of information. It is
clearly desirable that the information from these systems provides policy makers, purchasers and providers with the evidence necessary to develop and implement targeted strategies, in a way that will contribute to health and well being gain and at the same time equity and efficiency objectives.