The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) is a comprehensive, nationally representative survey conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), which is part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States. The survey is designed to gather vital health-related information from households across the country through face-to-face interviews with selected individuals.
The NHIS aims to obtain detailed data on a wide range of health-related topics, such as health conditions, access to healthcare services, health behaviors, and health disparities among different populations. It provides valuable insights into the health status and trends of the American population, serving as a critical tool for public health planning, policy development, and evaluation.
With a sample size of tens of thousands of households, the NHIS offers statistically valid estimates on various health indicators at the national, regional, and state levels. It utilizes a complex sampling strategy to ensure representation of diverse demographic groups, including different age groups, racial and ethnic minorities, and individuals with different socioeconomic backgrounds.
The survey collects data through a set of predetermined questions asked by trained interviewers, covering a wide range of topics to create a comprehensive snapshot of the nation's health. The information gathered is anonymized and aggregated to protect the privacy of participants.
The NHIS has been conducted annually since 1957, making it one of the longest-running health surveys in the United States. Its data serves as a valuable resource for researchers, policymakers, healthcare providers, and the general public seeking to understand and address health-related issues at the national level.
