What are the effects of changes in the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) on estimates of functional status and disability? This paper highlights the conceptual and instrumental changes implemented in the NHIS beginning in 1997. Notably, the NHIS now collects detailed information on limitations in specific activities of daily living (ADLs) for all family members. However, detailed information on health conditions that cause limitations has been curtailed. Additional changes to the measurement of functional status in the NHIS are presented. Specific estimates of functional status from the 1997 and 1998 NHIS are compared to parallel estimates from previous survey years, including the 1994 and 1995 NHIS Supplement on Disability, for the entire U.S. population and for population subgroups.
Learning Objectives: After this session, the learners will be able to: 1. List principal changes in disability questions in the NHIS 2. Discuss the effects of changes on estimates of the prevalence of disability
Keywords: Disability, Survey
Presenting author's disclosure statement:
Organization/institution whose products or services will be discussed: National Center for Health Statistics
I have a significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.
Relationship: Employee