A task of the RIVM is to integrate data and information from different sources on the health of the Dutch population. Topics include causes of death, occurrence of disease and illness, and functioning of patients and their quality of life. 

Health and disease
RIVM compiles data and information to answer a range of questions on public health in the Netherlands. For example, how healthy do people in the Netherlands perceive themselves to be? What are the major causes of death in the Netherlands and what is a ‘healthy life expectancy’? Answers to these questions and many more can be found in the National Compass for Public Health and Health Care (in Dutch only), providing comprehensive data and information on health and disease, health risks, disease prevention and health care.

Health inequalities
There are differences in health and disease between rich and poor, urban and rural dwellers and among ethnic groups. Regional differences in disease occurrence, prevention and health care are presented in the National Atlas for Public Health and Health Care (in Dutch only). Differences in health status among various socio-economic groups in the Netherlands are highlighted in the Monitor Gezondheidsachterstanden (‘Monitor on health inequalities’ in Dutch only).  

Public Health Status and Forecasts
Every four years RIVM publishes an integrative and analytical report called Public Health Status and Forecasts (PHSF) for use by the Dutch Government in policy development. The last report, ‘Care for health’, published in 2006 focuses on trends in the health of the Dutch, exposure to health risk factors (e.g. smoking, fast food, physical inactivity), use of health care by the Dutch, and the costs and benefits of the healthcare system. Differences between rich and poor (or from one neighbourhood to another), in particular, and differences between the Netherlands and other EU countries have been analysed to evaluate the performance of the Dutch healthcare system. 

Dynamic Fact Sheets
The Dynamic Fact Sheets, contain information that is available on the internet on public health in the Netherlands. The information is arranged in two sections. The section Information on health topics includes fact sheets and reports on a wide range of health topics. The section Dutch public health organisations contains internet links to organisations in the Netherlands that are engaged with health topics.