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AIDS

NCHS is one of the agencies responsible for producing data on acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) to provide the knowledge base for national research, education, prevention, and treatment programs. Working with many Public Health Service agencies, NCHS fielded a nationwide survey of AIDS knowledge and attitudes as part of its 1987 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). The questionnaire has been periodically modified since 1987 in response to new information needs. Data collection on knowledge and attitudes will continue as part of the NHIS as long as the need exists to measure the public's knowledge and to track progress in education efforts.

Questions about AIDS and its causal agent, the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), have been added to other NCHS surveys to broaden the type and scope of data available. The Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey included a test for HIV infection as one of its many laboratory tests. The National Hospital Discharge Survey has been reporting on hospitalization for AIDS since 1984. AIDS mortality data are also produced monthly and annually through the national vital statistics system since 1987 for the United States and individual States. The last two rounds of the National Survey of Family Growth also included special questions related to HIV/AIDS.

This page last reviewed January 11, 2007