Why Participate

Key points

  • The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) uses interviews, health exams, and laboratory tests to learn about health and nutrition in America.
  • You can receive a free health exam and free laboratory tests by participating.
  • The information you provide can lead to policies and programs to improve everyone's health.
Picture of smiling Asian family--child, mom, dad, and grandmother

Participating is important

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) is the only national health survey that combines interviews, health exams, and laboratory tests for participants of all ages.

Since NHANES started 60 years ago, hundreds of thousands of people like you have taken part in the survey. Each participant represents thousands of others like them across the country. Your participation ensures our data accurately reflect the health and nutritional status of thousands of Americans.

Learn more about your health

Taking part in NHANES provides benefits for you and your family.

At our mobile exam center, your health exams will include more than may be offered in a regular visit to your primary care provider.

  • Dental and vision exams
  • Tests to find out if you have been exposed to harmful chemicals, like lead or mercury

You will receive results from your exams.

  • Some results will be available on the day of your exam
  • Detailed, final results will be ready 12–16 weeks late

All tests and results are free. You can use and share them as you'd like.

  • Keep them in your personal health records
  • Give copies to your healthcare provider

We value your time

We make it easy and convenient for you to participate in NHANES.

  • We will give you a token of our thanks for participating
  • Your appointment will fit your schedule
  • We can arrange your travel to our mobile exam center and help with your travel costs
  • We can help you with childcare or eldercare while you are at our mobile exam center

Ask your Study Representative for more details.

Help us learn about everyone's health

Understanding the health of people living in the United States is critical to improving health. That means NHANES includes participants who are sick and participants who are not and participants who have chronic conditions or disabilities and participants who don't.

The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) uses NHANES data to—

  • Find out how many people have health problems like diabetes and high blood pressure
  • Learn what foods, drinks, and supplements people eat, drink, and use
  • Understand how diet and habits, like smoking and exercise, affect health

Healthcare providers, policymakers, and public health professionals use NHANES data to make us all healthier and safer by—

  • Providing health services
  • Developing health policies
  • Creating research, education, and health improvement programs

Data spotlight

View Larger
Woman adjusts her blood pressure cuff. Text says nearly half of adults had high blood pressure August 2021–August 2023.
Only 60% of adults who had high blood pressure knew they had it. Only 20% of those who had high blood pressure had it under control.
Keep Reading: Hypertension Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment, and Control Among Adults Age 18 and Older: United States, August 2021–August 2023

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Content Source:
National Center for Health Statistics