National Health Interview Survey (NHIS)

• Web site: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis.htm
• This database does not include cancer outcomes.
• This database is not linked to a cancer registry.

Description

The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) is the principal source of information on the health of the civilian noninstitutionalized population of the United States and is one of the major data collection programs of the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). The National Health Survey Act of 1956 called for a continuing survey and special studies to collect information on the amount, distribution, and effects of illness and disability in the United States. The National Health Interview Survey was developed in response to the Act and was initiated in July 1957. Since 1960, the survey has been conducted by NCHS, which was formed when the National Health Survey and the National Vital Statistics Division were combined. The NHIS has been conducted continuously since 1957, and the content of the survey has been updated approximately every 10-15 years.

The NHIS monitors trends in illness and disability, including cancer morbidity and mortality and use of some medications. The data are also used to characterize health problems, identify barriers to health care, and evaluate Federal health programs.

References

See a list of publications from studies using the NHIS data.