should share information and expertise upon request. 

 For example, it could provide access to already 

 developed computer-based information systems, together 

 with the software necessary to operate such a system, 

 and could participate in the exchange of new 

 information on a continuing basis wherever this is 

 cost-effective for all parties concerned. 



Proposed Initiatives . While the long-run outlook 

 for improving the social sector data base is good, 

 there are several constraints. These include: 



— low priority accorded statistical systems in some 

 developing countries; 



— lack of appreciation of the multiple values of 

 vital registration for legal, health service, and 

 economic planning purposes; 



lack of need by individuals in some countries for 

 birth and death certificates; 



— shortages of trained personnel; 



— lack of professionalization of statistical offices, 

 with advancement based more on longevity than 

 performance ; 



— hardware requirements that are costly and demanding 

 in terms of trained personnel for census processing 

 and for information retrieval; 



— inadequate understanding of systems development for 

 information storage and retrieval except by a few 

 persons ; 



— high personnel and monetary costs of operation and 

 maintenance of currently available information 

 retrieval systems. 



Recognizing these problems, we nevertheless believe 

 that the United States could usefully offer to expand 

 its support for developing country initiatives to 

 improve their basic social and economic data systems, 

 particularly those most essential for planning health, 

 nutrition, and family planning services. This would 

 include support for research and development to develop 

 lower cost systems designed to get at least the minimum 

 essential information on a timely basis under specific 

 developing country conditions. The United States could 

 also facilitate the use of minicomputers by providing 

 hardware, training, and the necessary editing, 

 processing, and standard analytical routines. 



EPILOGUE 



Some of those on this panel who have lived or 

 worked abroad have come to question whether truly 

 significant changes are likely in population, health, 

 nutrition, and other social welfare sectors without 



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