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APPENDIX C 58 THE NATIONAL HEALTH INTERVIEW SURVEY Design The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) is a continuing cross-sectional survey that is the principal source of information on the health of the civilian noninstitutionalized population of the United States. The NHIS data are collected through personal interviews that are conducted each week of the year. (Each household is interviewed once, and each week's sample is representative of the universe.) The current annual sample size is about 49,000 households and is designed to oversample black people. The sample is designed to be state- representative. The annual response rate is about 95 percent. The questionnaire consists of two basic parts: (1) a set of basic health and demographic items, and (2) one or more sets of questions on current health topics. The basic or core items are repeated each year and constitute about one-third of the questionnaire. Content (1996 Core) Demographic Characteristics Age Sex Race Ethnic origin Relationship to reference person (including whether biological, adoptive, step, or foster relationship) Marital status; whether ever married Educational attainment Whether attending or ever attended Head Start (for children under 6) Place of birth (state or country) [Note: There are no questions on citizenship.] Labor Force Status Last Week and Year Work status last week Hours worked last week Whether usually work 35 hours or more Reason for not working last week Ever worked previous calendar year Months worked [Note: There are no questions on volunteer work or participation in work training programs.] Income and Program Participation Last Year Earnings from all jobs and businesses last year for each adult (aged 18 or older or married) Whether anyone in family and who received: Wages and salaries Self-employment income including business and farm income
