Vital Statistics Advisory Committee

The Vital Statistics Advisory Committee (VSAC) helps protect the privacy of personal health information and medical information contained in public health and vital statistics in the State of California.

The committee coordinates and oversees the collection, management, and dissemination of these records.

VSAC meetings are held monthly and are open to the public. Membership and recruitment information is available below.

Responsibilities

Provide recommendations to the State Registrar on the adequacy of procedures for releasing vital statistics data and ensuring confidentiality
Review research application requests for confidential birth and death data to ensure:

The project demonstrates legitimate scientific interest
The significance of the research justifies access to confidential information

Ensure ethical compliance

Confirm that all research using birth and death certificate data adheres to the guidelines established by the Committee for the Protection of Human Subjects (CPHS)

Meeting Information

VSAC meetings are held monthly and are open to the public, promoting transparency in data access and decision-making.

✅Current VSAC Agenda
⌚Prior VSAC Meeting Minutes

2025 VSAC Meeting Schedule

January 8
February 12
March 12
April 9
May 14
June 11 (Meeting Cancelled)
July 9
August 13 (Meeting Cancelled)
September 10
October 8
November 12
December 10

Members

VSAC members are appointed by the State Registrar. Every effort is made to ensure VSAC membership is representative of the community. Included in its composition are the chairpersons (or designated representatives) of the Assembly Health Committee and the Senate Health and Welfare Committee.

Visit our VSAC Members page for information about our Committee members. See our VSAC Member Handbook (PDF) for additional details about membership.

VSAC Member Handbook

The VSAC Member Handbook (PDF) provides guidance and information to committee members, outlining their roles, responsibilities, procedures, and policies to assure that all research conducted using birth and fetal death certificate data is consistent with guidelines provided by the CPHS.

Recruitment

Recruitment for VSAC members is continuous and vacancies are filled from an available pool of applicants. If interested in serving as a member, send a completed VSAC Membership Application (PDF) and curriculum vitae (biography).

Mailing Address:
California Department of Public Health
Center for Health Statistic and Informatics
Research and Analytics Branch
ATTN: Data Reporting Unit
P.O. Box 997410, MS 5101
Sacramento, CA 95899-7410
☎Phone: (916) 552-8095
✉Email:HIRS@cdph.ca.gov