Countries and areas
Country health information profiles (CHIPS) were first published in 1974 by the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific. The first CHIPS were primarily a reference for WHO staff responsible for briefing others, writing reports, drafting plans of action and verifying statistical data. CHIPS then became a resource tool used by other United Nations agencies, international organizations, government agencies and the general public.
The 2008 edition of CHIPS comprises the country profiles and the health databanks for each country and area of the WHO Western Pacific Region. It contains crude data that are supplied either by the health ministries/departments or compiled from national databases and reference libraries. Estimates and adjusted data from various published sources are also used. Every effort is made to update the figures and analyses in CHIPS annually in response to ever-growing demands for current data and information. Clearance by the respective governments is also sought prior to publication. However, data reliability and data coverage may vary for each indicator and from country to country.
The country profiles provide readers with background on each country’s demographic, political and socioeconomic situation as related to health-seeking behaviour and prevailing health conditions. Trends in major disease conditions afflicting specific age groups and the population as a whole are also illustrated. The health system is detailed to provide information as to the country's priorities, policies, strategies and resources to address health problems and improve the health and lives of its people. Specifically, the country profiles provide information as to:
- Country context – Provides a picture of the country's population size and distribution, as well as its rate of population growth and movement. The political structure and situation are also described to show how major government initiatives and political events impact on health. Major economic determinants of health, such as economic performance, level of poverty, employment and working conditions, as well as government spending on health, are also explained and quantified. An overview of the environmental conditions and prevailing gender and human-rights issues affecting health is given, and the country’s major vulnerabilities, which may be natural, biological, technological or societal in nature, are illustrated.
- Health situation and trend – Illustrates the major communicable and noncommunicable diseases afflicting the country, its health transition experience and the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Maternal health conditions, as well as diseases specifically affecting children and infants, are discussed. Burden-of-disease estimates are also presented, as well as results of national surveys on health risk factors.
- Health system – Orients readers on the mission, vision and objectives of the Ministry of Health. The organization of the country’s health services and delivery systems, such as the public and private sector set-up, the public health administrative levels and the health facility network, are described. In addition, the framework for health policy, planning and regulation is presented. The Government’s long-term objectives for the health sector are outlined, highlighting policies and directions, legislation recently passed or pending, health reform proposals and health system strengthening strategies. An overview is given of the health care financing system and major financing issues, and key areas and priorities in relation to human resources for health are presented.
- Major information sources – Lists key resources for additional information on the country. Includes websites, major publications and policy documents, surveys and databases.
- Contact information for the Ministry/Department of Health and the WHO Representative or Country Liaison Officer for WHO (if applicable)
- Health ministry/department organizational chart (if available)
A country health databank is annexed to each country profile and is more detailed in containing different sets of indicators to reflect the country’s:
- demographic and socioeconomic conditions;
- the health status regarding leading causes of morbidity and mortality; and the number of cases and deaths from selected diseases;
- the health system as regards health workforce and infrastructure;
- health service coverage, such as immunization of infants; and
- status in relation to the health-related Millennium Development Goals.
To facilitate intercountry comparisons, a statistical annex is made available at the end of the publication. It summarizes most of the information in the health databanks and includes other indicators on selected health conditions and practices, such as HIV and obesity, smoking and drinking behaviour and child care. It also contains human-rights, poverty and gender-related development indicators, as well as major emergencies in the Region over the last two years.