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. 2022 May 13;1:100015. doi: 10.1016/j.dialog.2022.100015

Table 4.

Comparisons of Variable Available for Query in National Death Index and California Non-comprehensive Death File

National Death Index California Non-comprehensive Death File
Data variable
  • ●

    First name

  • ●

    Last name

  • ●

    Middle initial

  • ●

    Maiden name

  • ●

    Sex

  • ●

    Date of birth

  • ●

    Date of death

  • ●

    Social Security number
  • ●

    First name

  • ●

    Last name

  • ●

    Sex

  • ●

    Date of birth

  • ●

    Date of death
Data Range
  • ●

    Death Occurring from 1979 through 1-2 years prior to the time of request

  • ●

    Death occurring within the United States
  • ●

    Death occurring from 2005 to present

  • ●

    Death occurring in California
Pros
  • ●

    Option for cause of death

  • ●

    A national database containing death data from all states
  • ●

    Current data

  • ●

    Affordable
Cons
  • ●

    Expensive

  • ●

    Not updated to current month/year
  • ●

    No death data from outside of California

  • ●

    Does not contain records prior to year 2005

  • ●

    Does not contain SSN
Costs $0.21 per subject per year of death searched
$5.00 per decedent for the cause of death
$350.00 Initial submission of user records
$100.00 Each Subsequent submission
(At the time of study)
Example: first-time query of 10,000 all-cause mortality records in California will cost $350+0.21*10,000=2,450		 $400 First year of usage
$65/year Additional year
Quarterly update 4*$65=$260
Monthly update 12*$65=$780
Weekly update 52*$65=$3,380
(At the time of study)
Example: first-time query of 10,000 all-cause mortality records in California will cost $400