Evaluation of the Content and Conduct of Health Examination Surveys. Volume 1,Executive Summary. Background and Understanding of the Problem

摘要

The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES III) is theseventh in a series of surveys with health examination components conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) since 1960. The survey sample includes 30,000 persons who were asked questions about demographic, socioeconomic, dietary, and health history. An examination component for each participant includes phlebotomy, and examinations by a physician, a dentist, specialized interviewers, and health technicians. About 5,000 sample persons (SPs) are examined each year in two 3-year cycles of data collection. NCHS is considering a design for NHANES-97 that includes recurring 2-year data collection cycles, wherein about 7,500 SPs will be examined in each year (a 50 percent increase). This report explores methods for increasing the throughput of SPs by 50 percent; examines the core content of the examination; evaluates other health examination studies; and discusses the feasibility of collecting specified nutrition assessment measures in a setting other than a mobile examination center (MEC). For each of these tasks, the report presents objectives, methodology, and major findings and recommendations. (Final report two volumes variously paginated plus appendices.)