Resource Center

The Uniform Data System (UDS) is a core set of information appropriate for reviewing the operation and performance of health centers.

The UDS tracks a variety of information, including patient demographics, services provided, staffing, clinical indicators, utilization rates, costs, and revenues.

The UDS is a reporting requirement for grantees of the following HRSA primary care programs, as defined in the Public Health Service Act:

• Community Health Center, Section 330 (e)
• Migrant Health Center, Section 330 (g)
• Health Care for the Homeless, Section 330 (h)
• Public Housing Primary Care, Section 330 (i)
• Other grantees under Section 330

All new health centers that receive Health Center grant awards before October 1 of the reporting year are required to submit UDS reports.

The UDS submission deadline is February 15 every year.

The data are reviewed to ensure compliance with legislative and regulatory requirements, improve health center performance and operations, and report overall program accomplishments. The data help to identify trends over time, enabling HRSA to establish or expand targeted programs and identify effective services and interventions to improve the health of underserved communities and vulnerable populations. UDS data are compared with national data to review differences between the U.S. population at large and those individuals and families who rely on the health care safety net for primary care. UDS data also inform Health Center programs, partners, and communities about the patients served by Health Centers.

For UDS manuals and online training, please visit the HRSA UDS technical assistance website here.

Additional information about the Uniform Data System is available here.