Donna M. Miller, BA, Christine S. Cox, MA, and Kimberly A. Lochner, ScD. Center for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics, 3311 Toledo Road, Hyattsville, MD 20782, 301-458-4138, DMMiller1@cdc.gov

The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) has developed several linked data files for the National Health Interview Surveys (NHIS) and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES). Mortality data providing information on deaths occurring through 2002 are available for the 1986-2000 NHIS and deaths through 2000 are available for the NHANES I, II, III surveys. Mortality linkage was conducted through computerized matching with the National Death Index (NDI). The linked mortality data provides opportunities to conduct outcome studies for different chronic conditions associated with important health risk factors.

Additional data linkage projects developed in collaboration with the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) and the Social Security Administration (SSA) will link data collected in the 1994-1998 NHIS and the NHANES I, II, and III with Medicare utilization and payment data and Social Security Disability determination and income data from 1991 through 2000. These linkages provide data that will inform epidemiological outcome studies of acute and chronic disease, as well as policy studies for the disabled and elderly populations.

This presentation will review: linkage methodologies employed, the structure of the linked data files, characteristics of successfully linked survey participants and methodological considerations for utilizing the linked files.

While NCHS strives to maximize the ability to release microdata from linked files to the public, it must also balance the survey respondents’ confidentiality with the needs of the research community. Data items deemed too sensitive for public release are available for approved research projects through the NCHS Research Data Center.

Learning Objectives: Participants will

• learn about the linkage activities being conducted at NCHS and the availability of linked data files,
• be introduced to the analytic potential of linked data and the methodological considerations for its use, and
• learn how to contact the NCHS Research Data Center (RDC) to gain more information regarding restricted use of linked data file access.

Keywords: Epidemiology, Survey

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
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.