Why Participate in NHIS

Welcome

The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) collects information about important health topics, like medical conditions, health insurance coverage, doctor's office visits, physical activity, and health behaviors—issues that affect everyone.

By participating in NHIS, you can make a real difference in the lives of every person living in the United States. Your participation also will help your family and other communities across the nation, especially where the need is greatest.

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Quotation

"Participating in NHIS is a great way to inspire change in your community and across America. The confidential information that you provide brings attention to our nation's health, and this can lead to many positive changes."

—Stephen Blumberg, Ph.D., Director, NHIS

You can make a difference

The information you provide to NHIS has and could be used to—

• Raise awareness about medical and social problems
• Identify solutions to your community's—and the nation's—most pressing health challenges
• Inform local, state, and federal policymakers’ funding decisions

If you choose not to participate, NHIS cannot simply choose somebody else in your place. Participants are randomly selected using a scientific method. Without your participation, households like yours may be underrepresented.

Everyone’s answers are important! NHIS not only helps us understand how many people are sick and why they are sick, it also tells us how many people are healthy and what makes them healthy. This is a survey of the nation’s health, so your participation is critical even if you are not sick.

For these and many other reasons, your participation is invaluable, especially for people like you and families like yours across the nation.

A healthier America begins with you!

You have the chance to serve an important role in helping our nation understand what you and your community face today in preparing for a healthy future.

Please email nhis@cdc.gov with any questions about NHIS.