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What is a Platform?

The CDC Data Hub supports access to certain data through platforms. A platform is the underlying software that enables researchers to develop and perform customized actions on top of it. Each platform supported by the CDC Data Hub enables the use of a particular type of data. The platform functions to keep the data secure and enable particular functions that are useful for working with that data.

A platform is an example of what the software industry is calling “Software as a Service” (SaaS). Using a SaaS platform is like “renting” rather than “buying” software. When you buy software, you have to pay for upgrades and purchase the hardware necessary to run it. For large healthcare datasets, this can be a substantial cost for both data storage and processing power. Alternatively, when you “rent” access to software, you get all the upgrades automatically and use the storage and computing power provided in the platform.


Why use a Platform?

  • It may be economically advantageous and price-predictable.
  • In some cases, it may be the only way to access the data (e.g., IQVIA™ ARA).
  • Platforms allow access to more current data compared with purchasing data files.
  • Platforms often provide space efficiencies for large datasets:
    • Receiving data on a hard drive may require up to twice the storage space compared to using a platform.
    • Translations are needed between flat files and SAS datasets.
  • Platforms typically offer tools specifically developed for mining the associated data asset.

Virtual Platforms for using CDC Data Hub data

Data To Be Accessed

DataPlatform AvailableData Use Agreement Required?Allows Access to:Allows Downloading of:
CMS dataVirtual Research Data Center (VRDC): A virtual research environment that provides timelier access to Medicare and Medicaid program data in a more efficient and cost-effective manner. Researchers have direct access to approved data files and conduct analysis within the CMS secure environment.YesPatient-level data, Provider-level data, Facility-level dataAggregated reports only
HCUP DataHCUPnet: A free, online query system based on data from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP). Provides statistics and information for hospital inpatient, emergency department, and ambulatory settings, as well as population-based data on counties.NoHospital discharge data, Emergency department data, Ambulatory surgery center dataAggregated reports only
IQVIA dataAHA: Provides access to patient-level data, including tests, diagnoses, and prescriptions, as well as patient histories and healthcare pathways.NoPatient-level data, Healthcare pathwaysAny accessible data
IQVIA pharmacy transaction dataSMART: Offers records of supplier-pharmacy interactions (not pharmacy-patient interactions) and accessible data and reports.NoSupplier-pharmacy interaction dataAny accessible data and reports
MarketScan® dataTreatment Pathways®: An interactive, cloud-based tool for visual patient analytics. Enables researchers to define cohorts based on medical events, demographics, and other attributes, follow patients longitudinally, and export cohort specifications.YesPatient-level data, Provider-level data, Facility-level dataAggregated reports only
Publicly available public health dataWONDER: Wide-ranging Online Data for Epidemiological Research (CDC WONDER) provides analysis of publicly available federal data related to public health.NoVarious public health-related datasetsAny accessible data and reports

Examples of Public Data Available via WONDER:

  • Notifiable disease weekly and annual reports
  • Birth and death statistics (including infant/fetal data)
  • Population descriptions and projections
  • Environmental data
  • Specific disease-related data:
    • AIDS public use data
    • Cancer statistics
    • STD morbidity data
    • Vaccine adverse event reporting
    • Tuberculosis case reports lpa.