VIReC Database and Methods Seminar

VHA Death Ascertainment File (DAF) and Other Data Sources for Mortality Ascertainment

by Noreen Arnold, MA, MS
Seminar date: 3/6/2023

Description: This seminar will introduce the new VHA Death Ascertainment File (DAF) which replaces the current VHA Vital Status File (VSF). The DAF can be used to identify deaths in a study cohort and was developed to address limitations of the VSF. The contents of the DAF will be reviewed and a comparison of the DAF and VSF will be presented. Additional death ascertainment sources will be identified.

Objectives: *Provide the rationale for the development of the DAF
*Review the data sources for and contents of the DAF
*Compare the records and deaths on the DAF versus the VSF
*Explain how to use the DAF
*Identify additional death ascertainment sources

View archived session video:

DOWNLOAD: PDF handout | Audio only (mp3) | transcript

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