Using the World Wide Web to best advantage requires mastery over new types of searching that go beyond those found in printed resources.
The Internet also offers new online catalogs of health statistics material. They work like library catalogs but are focused on statistical materials. [One such resource is the Gateway to Data and Statistics of the Department of Health and Human Services.]
Search engines such as Google allow users to search the words within each website and use Boolean logic to find material. However, these automated facilities are not fine tuned to take advantage of the particular structure of health statistics. Because they are based on the experience of other users, search engines require an effort to focus in on particular health statistics series. They are extremely valuable in finding particular references once you know what you are looking for.
Agencies that create health statistics have invested in the creation of portals that present their data. A good first step is to focus on these for relevant material.