The Haramaya Health and Demographic Surveillance System (HDSS) was established in 2018 in the Haramaya district of the East Hararghe Zone in Oromia, eastern Ethiopia, to provide a comprehensive and sustainable data source for monitoring population health and demographic events. At its inception, the HDSS included 17,461 households and a total population of 99,898, with a notable 23.86% of this population being women of reproductive age. Data collection occurs biannually, ensuring that the information remains current and relevant.

By the first round of follow-up data collection, the number of households increased to 17,898, with the total population rising to 101,639. The HDSS collects a wide range of data, including births, deaths, immigration, emigration, pregnancies, and health-related conditions such as family planning and morbidities. The initiative encourages collaborative research efforts and allows access to its surveillance data for health and demographic studies, demonstrating its commitment to contributing valuable insights into population health dynamics.