National Health Interview Survey

Percentages of persons in families with selected financial burdens of medical care: United States, January–June 2011. Chart from "Financial Burden of Medical Care: Early Release of Estimates From the National Health Interview Survey".

National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) is a large-scale, continuous survey conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), which is a part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States. The NHIS is designed to collect information on the health status, health care access, and health behaviors of the U.S. population. It is one of the principal sources of information on the health of the general population of the United States.

Overview

The NHIS has been conducted annually since its inception in 1957. The survey uses personal household interviews to gather information on a broad range of health topics. These topics include but are not limited to, illness and disability, immunization status, risk factors, access to health care, and the use of health care services. The data collected from the NHIS are used by public health officials, researchers, and policymakers to make informed decisions and to plan health services and health promotion programs.

Methodology

The NHIS employs a complex, multistage probability sampling design to select participants. This design allows the survey to produce nationally representative data. Each year, the survey samples tens of thousands of households across the United States. Trained interviewers conduct face-to-face interviews with participants, collecting data on a wide array of health-related topics. In recent years, the NHIS has also incorporated follow-up surveys to collect more detailed information on specific health issues.

Data Usage

The data collected through the NHIS are critical for monitoring trends in illness and disability, assessing the effectiveness of health care systems, and identifying health disparities among different segments of the population. Researchers and health officials use NHIS data to:

• Track health status and health care access over time.
• Evaluate the impact of health policy changes.
• Understand the relationship between health behaviors and health outcomes.
• Identify emerging health issues and priorities.

Challenges and Limitations

While the NHIS is a valuable resource for health data, it is not without its challenges and limitations. One challenge is ensuring the accuracy and reliability of self-reported information. Additionally, as with any survey, there are concerns about non-response and its potential to bias results. The NHIS continuously works to improve its methodology and to adapt to changing health information needs.

Recent Developments

In recent years, the NHIS has undergone significant methodological changes to improve data quality and relevance. These changes include updates to the questionnaire and the adoption of new technologies for data collection. The NHIS also seeks to enhance its relevance by adding questions on current health topics and by making data more accessible to users.

Conclusion

The National Health Interview Survey is a vital tool for understanding the health of the American population. Its long history and continuous operation have made it a cornerstone of public health research and policy in the United States. By providing detailed and comprehensive data on health status, health care access, and health behaviors, the NHIS helps to inform efforts to improve health and health care in the country.

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