There is growing interest in using performance measurement as a means of holding federal, state, and local health agencies accountable for their use of public funds. Health Performance Measurement in the Public Sector is the second of two books for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services on using and improving performance measurement in publicly funded health programs and the implications for data needs and systems. This book focuses on data and information system issues at the federal, state, and local levels. Recommendations address: Policy framework for selecting performance measures and using performance measurement. Operational principles related to data and data systems that support performance measurement. Essential investments in data systems and in training and technical assistance. Research needed to improve performance measures and performance measurement. Table of Contents Front Matter Executive Summary 1 Introduction 2 Putting Performance Measurement in Context 3 Performance Measurement Considerations for Publicly Funded Health Programs 4 Data and Information Systems: Issues for Performance Measurement 5 Strategies for Supporting Performance Measurement Through a National Information Network A Potential Health Outcome and Risk Status Measures B Workshop Agenda C Biographical Sketches