# National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) The principal federal statistical agency for health, sitting **inside the CDC** within the [[Department of Health and Human Services]] — a statistical agency nested two layers down inside an operating agency. Produces the national vital statistics system (births and deaths, including the official life-expectancy and mortality series), NHANES, and the National Health Interview Survey. Its director is appointed inside HHS; the post carries no Senate confirmation and no statutory term. ## See also - [[Federal Statistical System Tree]]