Agency Forms Undergoing Paperwork Reduction Act Review

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has submitted the following information collection request to the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) for review and approval in accordance with the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995. The notice for the proposed information collection is published to obtain comments from the public and affected agencies.

Written comments and suggestions from the public and affected agencies concerning the proposed collection of information are encouraged. Your comments should address any of the following: (a) Evaluate whether the proposed collection of information is necessary for the proper performance of the functions of the agency, including whether the information will have practical utility; (b) Evaluate the accuracy of the agencies estimate of the burden of the proposed collection of information, including the validity of the methodology and assumptions used; (c) Enhance the quality, utility, and clarity of the information to be collected; (d) Minimize the burden of the collection of information on those who are to respond, including through the use of appropriate automated, electronic, mechanical, or other technological collection techniques or other forms of information technology, e.g., permitting electronic submission of responses; and (e) Assess information collection costs. To request additional information on the proposed project or to obtain a copy of the information collection plan and instruments, call (404) 639-7570 or send an email to omb@cdc.gov. Direct written comments and/or suggestions regarding the items contained in this notice to the Attention: CDC Desk Officer, Office of Management and Budget, Washington, DC 20503 or by fax to (202) 395-5806. Written comments should be received within 30 days of this notice.

Proposed Project

National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) (OMB No. 0920-0214, expires 01/31/2019)—Revision—National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Background and Brief Description

Section 306 of the Public Health Service (PHS) Act (42 U.S.C. 242k), as amended, authorizes that the Secretary of Health and Human Services (DHHS), acting through NCHS, shall collect data on the extent and nature of illness and disability of the population of the United States.

The annual National Health Interview Survey is a major source of general statistics on the health of the U.S. population and has been in the field continuously since 1957. Clearance is sought for three years, to collect data from 2017 to 2019.

This voluntary and confidential household-based survey collects demographic and health-related information from a nationally representative sample of noninstitutionalized, civilian persons and households throughout the country. Personal identification information is requested from survey respondents to facilitate linkage of survey data with health-related administrative and other records. In 2017 the NHIS will collect information from approximately 45,000 households, which contain about 100,000 individuals. Information is collected using computer assisted personal interviews (CAPI).

A core set of data is collected each year that remains largely unchanged, whereas sponsored supplements vary from year to year. The core set includes socio-demographic characteristics, health status, health care services, and health behaviors. For 2017, supplemental questions will be cycled in pertaining to alternative and integrative medicine, cognitive disability, receipt of culturally and linguistically appropriate health care services, epilepsy, and heart disease and stroke. Supplemental topics that continue or are enhanced from 2016 pertain to the Affordable Care Act, chronic pain, diabetes, disability and functioning, family food security, ABCS of heart disease and stroke prevention, hepatitis B/C screening, immunizations, smokeless tobacco and e-cigarettes, vision, and children's mental health. Questions from 2016 on balance, Crohn's disease and colitis, and blood donation have been removed. In addition to these core and supplemental modules, a subsample of NHIS respondents and/or members of commercial survey panels may be identified to participate in short, Web-based methodological and cognitive testing activities that will inform the upcoming 2018 NHIS questionnaire redesign. The aims of these standalone assessments include pilot testing new and/or updated questionnaire items, evaluating the impact of different categorical response option formats on answer choices, and measuring respondent comprehension of health care-related terms and concepts.

In accordance with the 1995 initiative to increase the integration of surveys within the DHHS, respondents to the NHIS serve as the sampling frame for the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey conducted by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality. The NHIS has long been used by government, academic, and private researchers to evaluate both general health and specific issues, such as smoking, diabetes, health care coverage, and access to health care. It is a leading source of data for the Congressionally-mandated “Health US” and related publications, as well as the single most important source of statistics to track progress toward the National Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Objectives, “Healthy People 2020.”

There is no cost to the respondents other than their time. The total estimated annualized burden hours are 49,000.