Publicly Available NCHS Data

Public-use data

The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) provides publicly available data files from its health surveys and the vital statistics system. These public-use datasets do not contain sensitive information that could identify participants or institutions.

Researchers can use these public datasets for their own analysis and research without working through the Research Data Center. You do not need to submit an application to use these data. You should review the NCHS Data User Agreement before accessing these files.

Public-use datasets—and documentation to help you use them—are available through the individual websites of the different surveys and systems, linked here.

Current NCHS data collections

These current NCHS data collections provide datasets for public use.

• National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
• National Health Care Surveys
• National Health Interview Survey
• National Survey of Family Growth
• National Vital Statistics System
• NCHS Rapid Surveys System

Major historic data collections

Public-use datasets are also available from many past NCHS data collections, including—

• Longitudinal Studies of Aging
• National Immunization Surveys
  • NCHS conducted the National Immunizations Surveys through 2014.
  • Since 2015, CDC's National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases has administered these surveys.
• State and Local Area Integrated Telephone Survey