The National Heath and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) is the eighth in a series of national examination studies conducted in the United States, beginning in 1960. In 1999, NHANES took a new direction by becoming a continuous survey. The sample design is structured so that each year of data will be a nationally representative sample of the U.S. population. Major population subgroups will be oversampled. Although a representative sample of the population will be examined every year, it will take several years of data to obtain detailed estimates for population subgroups. The goals of the current survey include - to study the relationship between diet, nutrition, and health; to explore emerging public health issues; to establish a national probability sample of genetic material for future research; to establish and maintain a national probability sample of baseline information on health and nutritional status; to estimate the number and percent of persons in the population and designated subgroups with selected diseases and risk factors; to monitor trends in the prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of selected diseases; to monitor trends in risk behaviors and environmental exposure; and to analyze risk factors for selected diseases. Some new topics for the survey include cardiovascular fitness, lower extremity disease, kidney disease, balance and vestibular function, as well as an expanded environmental health component.
Learning Objectives: At the conclusion of this presentation, the participant will have an understanding of the objectives of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey
Keywords: Surveillance,
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: None
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.