An information system for monitoring health system adequacy

The design and initial implementation of a system to monitor health system adequacy in Georgia is described. Five profiles on county or sub-county areas comprise the system: Health Resources--an inventory of facilities, personnel, and programs; Health Demands--econometric estimates of demand for selected health services; Health System Adequacy--objective and subjective assessments of the health service system; Health Status--selected health indicators; Area--pertinent demographic characteristics. Innovative aspects include (a) the econometric demand estimates and (b) the subjective adequacy assessments derived using factors analysis to reduce 320 health service assessments to 19 interpretable factors. Potential system role in regional planning under P.L. 93-641 is described.