What type of information is encompassed within personal health information?

Personal health information specifically refers to any data that can be used to identify an individual and relates to their health status, medical history, or healthcare services provided to them. This can include names, addresses, medical records, test results, and other information that can be linked to an individual.

The significance of identifying this type of information lies in the importance of privacy and confidentiality in healthcare. Regulations such as HIPAA (Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act) emphasize the protection of personal health information to ensure that individuals' sensitive data is not disclosed without consent.

In contrast, general statistics on population health do not pertain to specific individuals, and healthcare cost records typically aggregate data without identifying specific persons. Additionally, anonymous health surveys are structured to collect data without linking it to individuals, which also excludes them from being classified as personal health information. Therefore, the focus on identifiable data in relation to an individual's health is what makes the correct choice distinctly applicable to the definition of personal health information.