The rich multivariate data of the National Center for Health Statistics National Health Interview Su

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The rich multivariate data of theNational Center
for Health StatisticsNational Health Interview
Survey

• Jane F. Gentleman, Ph.D., Director
• Division of Health Interview Statistics
• National Center for Health Statistics

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National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS)

• Part of CDC
• Located in Hyattsville, Maryland
• The Fed Govts health statistics agency
• The principal agency that produces
  general-purpose health data

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National Health Interview Survey (NHIS)

• In the field since 1957
• In-person household survey of non-institutionalize
  d civilian population
• Fielded by Census Bureau since 1957
• Microdata released annually online
• Available back to 1962/63
• Research Data Centers with NCHS data
• At NCHS in Hyattsville
• At CDC home in Atlanta
• At 9 Census RDCs

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Core topics covered

• Health status
• Utilization of health care services
• Health insurance coverage
• Health-related behaviors
• (e.g., smoking, alcohol)
• Risk factors
• Injuries poisonings
• Demographic socioeconomic data

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Some returning major supplements

• Cancer Control
• 2000 (20 mins)
• 2003 (5 mins)
• 2005 (20 mins)
• 2008 (5 mins)
• 2010 (20 mins)
• Complementary Alternative Medicine
• 2004, 2008, 2012

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And now we release NHIS paradata too

• Paradata Data about the survey data collection
  process
• Sources of NHIS paradata
• Blaise instrument in laptop (audit trails,
  keystrokes)
• Contact History Instrument in laptop (info about
  each contact attempt)
• Back of NHIS questionnaire (comments from
  interviewer)

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A few special things about the NHIS

• Analysis of NHIS data requires special software.
• Income imputation is needed.
• Budget problems have forced the sample size to
  decrease.

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Number of persons in NHIS sample,1962/63 - 2007
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Use of the NHIS to monitor objectives of DHHS
Healthy People Program

• More than 110 Healthy People objectives monitored
  since 1995
• NHIS is used to monitor more HP2010 objectives
  than any other source

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Just a few of the HP2010 topics monitored

• Access to quality health services
• Arthritis, osteoporosis, chronic back
  conditions
• Cancer
• Diabetes
• Disability
• Physical activity fitness

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The NHIS Early Release Program

• Two quarterly reports
• 15 key health indicators
• More detail on health insurance
• One biannual report
• Cell phone usage

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15 key health indicators

• Lack of health insurance coverage type of
  coverage
• Usual place to go for medical care
• Obtaining needed medical care
• Receipt of flu vaccination\
• Receipt of pneumoccal vaccination
• Obesity
• Leisure-time physical activity
• Current smoking
• Leisure-time physical activity
• Current smoking
• Alcohol consumption
• Human immunodeficiency virus testing
• General health status
• Personal care needs
• Serious psychological distress
• Diagnosed diabetes

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15 key health indicators, cont.

• Alcohol consumption
• HIV testing care
• General health status
• Personal care needs
• Serious psychological distress
• Diabetes
• Asthma

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Prevalence of current smoking among adults aged
18, 1997 to Quarter 1, 2007
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Percentage of Children Under Age 18 Who Lacked
Health Insurance U.S. 1997- September 2008
Percent
For at least part of the past year
At the time of interview
For more than a year
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008 (Jan.Sept.)
Source NHIS Early Release Program
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Percentage of Adults Age 18-64 Who Lacked Health
Insurance  U.S. 1997- September 2008
Percent
For at least part of the past year
At the time of interview
For more than a year
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008 (Jan.Sept.)
Source NHIS Early Release Program
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Percentage of Adults Age 18-64 Who Lacked Health
Insurance by Employment Status U.S. 1997-
September 2008
Percent
Unemployed
Employed
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
2008 (Jan.Sept.)
Source NHIS Early Release Program
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