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Health Resources and Services Administration
Health Professions
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The Area Resource File (ARF) is a national county-level health resources information darabase
Frequently Asked Questions

General

Q: What are the geographic units for which data are available?
A: The basic ARF is maintained at the county level. Many different geographic codes are included on the file including: FIPS state code, metropolitan-micropolitan statistical area codes, Urban/Rural Continuum Code, Typology Codes, Economic Area Codes, and region codes so that the data can be easily aggregated to higher geographic levels. Effective with the 2001 release of the ARF, all independent cities and Alaska boroughs/census areas are available for 1992 and later data.
Q: How often is the ARF released and when was the last release?
A: The ARF is released annually. The 2011-2012 ARF ASCII version was released in March 2012 and is the latest release. Please note the year of file reflects the release date, not the year of the data contained on the file. The ARF carries historic data.
Q: What are the primary data sources?
A: The ARF integrates data from numerous primary data sources including: the American Hospital Association, the American Medical Association, the American Dental Association, the American Osteopathic Association, the Bureau of the Census, the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (formerly Health Care Financing Administration), Bureau of Labor Statistics, National Center for Health Statistics and the Veteran’s Administration.
Q: Can I order historical data that are on an older version of the ARF?
A: Yes, historic versions of the ARF are available. However, note that some historic fields are carried on the basic ARF ASCII file and on the ARF Access.
The ARF Access has much more historic information than the basic ARF. Because the record length of the basic ARF is limited, fields are taken off each year as new data are added. With the exception of few fields, no data are removed from the ARF Access. There are approximately 23,800 variables on ARF Access and 6,000 on the basic version.
To find out what variables are on the 2011-2012 ARF and 2011-2012 ARF Access, click here.
Q: What is the appropriate citation for the ARF?
A: For the most current release: Area Resource File (ARF). 2011-2012. US Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration, Bureau of Health Professions, Rockville, MD.
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Acquisition

Q: How quickly can I receive the file after ordering?  
A: The ARF is now downloadable. To immediately obtain a copy of the file, go to the order link and click on the file of interest in the box at the bottom of the page. If you prefer to obtain a CD, upon receipt of the order, the file is shipped via FedEx overnight.
Q: Can special files be prepared if I don't want to order the entire file? 
A: Yes, you can receive a price quote if you provide the specific variables and specifications for the data you are requesting.
Q: Can I be notified upon the release of the next version of the ARF?  
A: Yes, a list of e-mail and mailing addresses is maintained each year that is used for notification of new releases.
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Usage

Q: What software package do I need to use the file? 
A: Because the ARF is a large ASCII file, software such as SAS or SPSS or any high level programming language capable of processing large files must be used to extract data.
Q: Can I use the data with database and spreadsheet packages such as MS Access, Excel, etc.?  
A: The standard data file must be read with the software mentioned above, but the 2011-2012 ARF Access System is also available. This version has a built-in, user friendly front-end that enables users to extract the desired data into Access or Excel formats. You can also access the data in the MS Access tables directly.
Q: How do I use the data with SAS or SPSS?  
A: A SAS file definition is included with the documentation. This definition can be modified for use with SPSS. When using SAS with the 2001 and earlier versions, be sure to include recfm=f in your infile statement. For the 2002 (and later) versions, do not include recfm=f in your infile statement. When using SPSS with the 2001 and previous versions, you should include mode=image and recfm=f in your infile statement. For the 2002 and later versions, you should include mode=character in your infile statement.
Q: What are the file specifications? 
A: The ARF is an ASCII file with a fixed record format and a record length of 31897 (for the 2011-2012 release). The current release of the ARF has 3230 records (one for each county and independent city in the U.S. as well as one for each county equivalent in the following U.S. territories: Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands). There are approximately 6000 variables for each county. The file size is approximately 100MB. Programming software, such as SAS or SPSS is needed to extract data from the file, unless using the MS Access version.
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ARF Access Questions

Q: What software do I need to use the ARF Access System?
A: The ARF Access System uses Microsoft Access. MS Access 2000 or later version is required. It should be noted, however, that though Microsoft Access is required, no knowledge of MS Access is required. Selected data can be readily exported.
Q: What is the difference between ARF and ARF Access? 
A: The ARF file is an ASCII file with a fixed record format and a record length of 31897 (for the 2011-2012 release). The current release of the ARF has 3230 records (one for each county and independent city in the U.S. as well as one for each county equivalent for Guam, Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands). There are approximately 6000 variables for each county. The file size is approximately 100MB. Programming software such as SAS or SPSS is needed to extract the data from the file.

The ARF Access System is an Access database using Microsoft Access. Though Microsoft Access is required, no knowledge of MS Access is needed. This version has a built-in user friendly front-end that enables the user to extract the desired data in Access or Excel formats. You can also access the data in MS Access tables directly. The ARF Access carries more historic data than the ARF ASCII file. There are approximately 26,000 variables for each county.
Q: What data are available on the ARF Access System?
A: To find out what variables are on this release, click here. The 2011-2012 version of ARF Access should be available in late spring 2012.
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