The South African Health Review 2001 was launched on the 26th of March 2002. It consists of 17 Chapters dealing with various aspects of the Health Care System. The abstract of the chapter on "Using information for Health" is provided below. Also, the section on Health Indicators has been updated and is also available for searching purposes at: http://www.hst.org.za/indic which is an online database. Using Information for Health: This chapter considers a number of implementation issues in respect of the key interventions undertaken in the past two years as part of the national district health information systems strategy. Findings are based on the knowledge and experiences of stakeholders, service and programme managers and health providers involved in the national rollout of the District Health Information System (DHIS). The national rollout process has a two-pronged approach: building capacity and developing infrastructure. The aim of the District Health Information System is to enable facility and district level health care providers to use locally generated information to improve coverage and quality of health services.The extent to which systems and structures developed at district level are supported by strategic policy development and planning at national level are explored in terms of how they impact on mechanisms to monitor quality and efficiency of service delivery. While recognising that the integration of hospital information systems within the DHIS forms part of a broader implementation strategy,this chapter focuses on the public sector Primary Health Care services at district level. A strategy for monitoring the progress of implementation in terms of three levels of information systems development is described. The utilisation of data sources in policy development and planning at national level is measured against application of data in operational management at district level. Achievements to date are reflected in the establishment of systems and structures that support DHIS implementation at district level. Challenges are described and recommendations for the development of sustainability are addressed. Author/s: Louisa Williamson and Norah Stoops HISP, School of Public Health University of the Western Cape.