APPENDIX B
Sources of Data: Surveys and Datasets
The data sources for the measures recommended in this report include a variety of established surveys and datasets. This appendix describes the following:
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Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System;
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Consumer Assessment of Health Plans Study;
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Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set;
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National Home and Hospice Care Survey;
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National Vital Statistics System—Mortality; and
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Youth Risk Behavior Survey.
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
Sponsor |
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotio |
Description |
Population-based survey. Objective is to collect uniform, state-specific, data on preventive health practices and risk behaviors that are linked to chronic diseases (including cancer), injuries, and preventable infectious diseases in the adult population |
Mode of administration/data collection |
Telephone interview. Data are collected separately by each state. |
Sample design |
State-level, random-digit-dialed probability samples |
Primary survey content |
A rotating core of questions asked every other year in all states, standardized optional questions on selected topics that are administered at the state’s discretion, and state-added questions developed to address state-specific needs. Questions cover behavioral risk factors (e.g., alcohol and tobacco use), preventive health measures including cancer screening, health status, limitation of activity, and health care access and utilization. |
Population targeted |
U.S. civilian, noninstitutionalized population 18 years of age and older in households with telephones |
Demographic data |
Gender, age, education, race/ethnicity, household income, employment status, and marital status |
Years |
Since 1984 |
Schedule |
Annual |
Geographic estimates |
National; state; smaller area estimates possible in some states |
Contact information |
Consumer Assessment of Health Plans Study (CAHPS)
Sponsors |
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, including the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality; Center for Medicare and Medicaid programs, State Medicaid agencies, and State Children’s Health Insurance Programs; public and private employers, individual health plans, and the U.S. Department of Defense |
Description |
Survey designed to develop and test questionnaires that assess health plans and services, to produce easily understandable reports for communicating survey information to consumers, and to evaluate the usefulness of these reports for consumers in selecting health care plans and services |
Mode of administration/data collection |
Mail or telephone questionnaire |
Sample design |
Random sample of health plan members by independent survey vendors following standardized procedures |
Primary survey content |
Consumer experiences in obtaining health care, including five major areas: getting needed care; getting care without long waits; how well doctors communicate; courteous and helpful office staff; customer service. |
Population targeted |
Surveys are tailored for various groups, including adults; children; children with chronic conditions; insured populations including commercial, Medicaid, Medicare, and Medicare managed care. |
Demographic data |
Age, gender, education, race, ethnicity, region, insurance coverage, health status |
Years |
Since 1998 |
Schedule |
Annual |
Geographic estimates |
State, census bureau regions |
Contact information |
|
Other |
The National CAHPS Benchmarking Database is a national repository of CAHPS survey data that is available to researchers and others interested in using comparative CAHPS survey results for benchmarking and research. Information available at http://ncbd.cahps.org/Home/index.asp. |
Health Plan Employer Data and Information Set (HEDIS)
Sponsor |
National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) |
Description |
A set of standardized performance measures designed to provide purchasers and consumers with the ability to evaluate the quality of different health plans. |
Mode of administration/data collection |
NCQA collects and maintains HEDIS data directly from its member managed-care organizations and preferred provider organizations. All HEDIS data are maintained in a central database. |
Sample design |
NA |
Primary survey content |
Effectiveness of care (e.g. cancer screening, immunization status, etc.), access/availability of care, member satisfaction with the experience of care, cost of care, health plan stability, informed health care choices, use of services |
Population targeted |
Health plan members including children and adults enrolled in Medicaid, Medicare, and commercial health plans |
Demographic data |
Age, sex, race, education |
Years |
Since 1993 |
Schedule |
Annual |
Geographic estimates |
By health plan |
Contact information |
|
NA = not applicable. |
National Home and Hospice Care Survey
Sponsor |
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics |
Description |
Survey of home and hospice care agencies concerning agency management and current and discharged patients |
Mode of administration/data collection |
Personal interviews with administrators and staff are used to complete questionnaires for samples of current and discharged patients. |
Sample design |
Stratified two-stage probability sample of patients served by Medicare- or Medicaid-certified agencies |
Primary survey/database content |
Referral and length of service, diagnoses, number of visits, patient charges, health status, reason for discharge, and types of services provided |
Population targeted |
Patients of U.S. home health and hospice care agencies |
Demographic |
Gender, age, educational attainment, race/ethnicity, marital data status and health status |
Years |
For individual years from 1992-1994, 1996, 1998, and 2000 |
Schedule |
Periodically, based on funding availability |
Geographic estimates |
U.S. Bureau of Census regions and metropolitan statistical areas |
Contact information |
National Vital Statistics System—Mortality
Sponsor |
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics |
Description |
An intergovernmental collaboration between the National Center for Health Statistics and the 50 states, two cities, and five territories organized to collect and disseminate mortality statistical information from death certificates |
Mode of administration/data collection |
Death certificates are completed by physicians, coroners, medical examiners, and funeral directors and filed with state vital statistics offices. |
Sample design |
All deaths (nationally, about 2.2 to 2.3 million annually) |
Primary survey/database content |
Year of death, underlying and multiple causes of death, place of decedent’s residence, place death occurred, age at death, day and month of death, selected demographic data |
Population targeted |
U.S. deaths |
Demographic data |
Detailed race and ethnicity, marital status, place of birth, gender, educational attainment for selected states, and occupation and industry for selected states |
Years |
Complete since 1933 |
Schedule |
Annual |
Geographic estimates |
National, regional, and state. Selected data are available for counties with more than 100,000 persons. |
Contact information |
Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS)
Sponsor |
U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) |
Description |
YRBS, a component of the Youth Risk Behavior Survey Surveillance System, is a national school-based survey of high school students that is conducted by CDC. It is designed to monitor national progress toward achieving the Healthy People 2000 and 2010 objectives and to track health risk behaviors among youth. States can receive federal funding to conduct the YRBS for state and local purposes. The state version of the survey uses different sampling and other procedures. |
Mode of administration/data collection |
Self-administered questionnaire. Students record their responses on a computer-scannable booklet or answer sheet. |
Sample design |
Three-stage, cluster sample design |
Primary survey content |
Risk behaviors such as tobacco use, inadequate physical activity, alcohol and drug use, and sexual behavior |
Population targeted |
9th–12th grade students. States have the option of also surveying middle school students or those in juvenile justice facilities. |
Demographic Data |
Gender, age, grade in school |
Years |
Since 1991 |
Schedule |
The national YRBS is conducted every 2 years. |
Geographic estimates |
National-level estimates only from the national survey |
Contact information |
|
NA = not applicable. |