What is the National Health Interview Survey?
The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) is a nationwide survey of about 36,000 households in the U.S. and a principal source
of information on the health of the civilian noninstitutionalized population. The survey is conducted annually by the
National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS).
The 1982-1996 surveys consisted of two parts: a core set of basic health and demographic questions, and one or more sets of
supplemental questions on specific health topics. In 1987 and 1992, Cancer Control Supplements were administered as part
of the NHIS to adults age 18 years and older in order to determine knowledge, attitudes, and practices concerning cancer-related
health behaviors and cancer screening modalities.
In 1997, the NHIS was revised and now includes three parts: a core module, periodic modules that allow collection of more detailed
information on core items, and a topical module, which is analogous to the supplements in that it allows investigators to collect
information about specific topics.
* Final 2000 NHIS data are available on the NCHS Web site.
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