PREFACE

This report was prepared by the Center for Health Statistics, which is located in the Office of Policy and Research of the New Jersey Department of Health (DOH). The report presents selected New Jersey vital statistics for the calendar year 2000 and includes data on births, deaths, marriages, and divorces. In addition, population estimates for the state and each county, by age, race, sex, and Hispanic ethnicity are presented.

Data on births, deaths, and fetal deaths include all reported resident events of these types, regardless of the state of occurrence. Marriage and divorce data encompass all of these events occurring in New Jersey, but do not include marriages and divorces of New Jersey residents that occurred outside the state. Data definitions and limitations are discussed in the Technical Notes section of the report.

The accuracy of the data contained in this report depends on the completeness and validity of the information recorded on the various vital records. Statistics on births, deaths, fetal deaths, and marriages summarize the contents of the respective data files as of the time of preparation of the various chapters. Additions, deletions, and corrections made after that date are not reflected in the report.

Population estimates included in this report were prepared by the National Center for Health Statistics in cooperation with the U.S. Bureau of the Census. These estimates result from bridging the 31 race categories used in the 2000 Census to the four race categories still in use by vital statistics systems. Bridged-race population estimates will be needed for several years until all vital statistics systems transition to the federal multiple-race standards for the collection of data on race and ethnicity.

Two major changes related to mortality data took effect nationally in 1999. As of January 1, 1999, all mortality data are classified by the tenth revision of the International Classification of Diseases and Related Health Problems (ICD-10). ICD-10 changes not only how causes of death are grouped for tabulation and ranking, but also how the underlying cause of death is determined from the multiple causes listed on the death certificate. It also produces breaks in trend data when 1999 and 2000 deaths are compared with previous years unless comparability ratios are employed. Also beginning with 1999 data, age-adjusted death rates are computed using the estimated 2000 standard million, which replaces the 1940 standard million used in previous years. To compare 1999 and 2000 age-adjusted rates to prior years' rates, the previous years' rates have been recalculated using the 2000 standard.

The Center for Health Statistics (CHS) staff is available to answer questions regarding the content and use of the data in this report. Data portions of this report, as well as other health-related data, are available at the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Service's Web site. Additional statistics not included in the report or on the Internet may be obtained through request to CHS. Questions or requests should be addressed to the following:

The author wishes to acknowledge the efforts of those who contributed to this report. In addition to Joe Komosinski and other staff from the Bureau of Vital Statistics, Michael Duffy, Darrin Goldman, and Ping Shi of the Center for Health Statistics (CHS) provided data management and quality control assistance. Katherine Hempstead, Bretta Jacquemin, Rose Marie Martin, and Ken O’Dowd of CHS edited drafts of this report. All maps were created by Loretta Kelly of CHS.

Return to Health Statistics 2000