At a glance
- National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) Ethics Review Board (ERB) ensures protections of all human participants in NCHS studies and surveys.
- The NCHS ERB reviews and approves NHANES survey protocols.
- Approval of the current NHANES protocol and past protocols are documented on this page.
Protection of survey participants
The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) Ethics Review Board (ERB) ensures that research involving human participants protects the rights and welfare of study participants and conforms to U.S. federal regulations.
The NCHS ERB, and the formal review bodies that preceded it, have approved each NHANES study protocol since the survey began running continuously in 1999. Before that, different procedures ensured the protection of human participants.
Approved NHANES protocols
NHANES 2021-2022
Protocol #2021-05
NHANES 2019–2020
Continuation of Protocol #2018-01
NHANES 2017-2018
Protocol #2018-01
Effective beginning October 26, 2017
Continuation of Protocol #2011-17
Effective through October 26, 2017
NHANES 2015-2016
Continuation of Protocol #2011-17
NHANES 2013-2014
Continuation of Protocol #2011-17
NHANES 2011-2012
Protocol #2011-17
NHANES 2009-2010
Continuation of Protocol #2005-06
NHANES 2007-2008
Continuation of Protocol #2005-06
NHANES 2005-2006
Protocol #2005-06
NHANES 1999-2004
Protocol #98-12
NHANES III
Institutional Review Board (IRB) approval and documented consent was obtained from participants
NHANES II
Underwent internal human subjects review, but IRB approval using current standards was not obtained.
NHANES I
Underwent internal human subjects review, but IRB approval using current standards was not obtained.
NHES
Underwent internal human subjects review, but IRB approval using current standards was not obtained.
- In 2003, the NHANES Institutional Review Board changed its name to the NCHS Research Ethics Review Board. In 2018, the name was changed from NCHS Research Ethics Review Board to NCHS Ethics Review Board.