Highlights
- The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) collects health and nutrition data from people in communities around the United States.
- NHANES collects data on a wide range of health conditions, diet, and behaviors.
- NHANES uses interviews, health exams, and laboratory tests to measure the health and nutrition of participants.
What data we collect
The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) collects data about the health and nutrition of adults and children in communities across the country. Experts from the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) use these data to determine how many people have certain health conditions.
We can provide estimates for undiagnosed conditions because NHANES includes health exams and laboratory tests. This makes NHANES unique among national health surveys.
NHANES looks at many characteristics and behaviors that increase the risk of illness, injury, or death (risk factors). Researchers use our data to study smoking, drinking alcohol, sexual behavior, drug use, physical fitness and activity, and diet.
NHANES collects data about a wide range of diseases, health conditions and health measures (indicators). These include—
Diseases
- Diabetes
- Infectious diseases
- Kidney disease
- Respiratory disease, like asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema
- Sexually transmitted diseases
Medical conditions
- Anemia
- Hearing loss
- Obesity
- Osteoporosis
- Vision loss
Health indicators
- Exposures to chemicals in the environment
- Blood pressure and cholesterol
- Diet and nutrition
- Physical fitness and physical functioning
- Reproductive health history, like past pregnancies and breastfeeding
How data collection works
Our data collection team includes nurses, health technicians, and diet and health interviewers. Many of our staff speak both English and Spanish.
Where we collect data
Our NHANES team travels to each community to collect data. In each location, we notify local health and government officials of the upcoming survey. Households in the study area receive an introductory letter from the NCHS Director.
Our NHANES team members conduct health interviews in participants' homes.
Our highly trained staff perform NHANES health exams in our mobile exam center. We also collect blood and urine samples for laboratory tests in these centers. Our mobile exam centers are specially designed for our survey.
If needed, we provide transportation to and from the mobile exam center. This is one of the steps we take to make it as easy as possible to participate.
How we collect and store data
We use an advanced computer system to track and process all NHANES data.
This system allows our interviewers to enter data directly into a laptop. In our mobile exam center, devices like digital scales and stadiometers send weight and height data to our databases automatically. Participants can enter their own responses to sensitive questions in complete privacy using computer touchscreens.
This technology helps us—
- Collect high-quality data accurately
- Share results with the public faster