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| Sponsor: | U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)/National Cancer Institute (NCI)/Health Communication and Informatics Research Branch (HCIRB)/Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences (DCCPS) |
| Description: | The Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) data collection program was created to monitor changes in the rapidly evolving field of health communication. Questions on the HINTS survey include topics such as health communication with doctors, obtaining information from the media, knowledge of cancer and screening behavior, primary cancer risk behaviors, and respondent characteristics. HINTS data were collected in 2003 and 2005. Uses of the data include: (a) extending cancer communication research from the laboratory to the population, (b) monitoring the population’s use of new media (e.g., and specifically the Internet), (c) documenting the public’s progress in accurate knowledge related to cancer and chronic disease prevention, and (d) stimulating cross-branch cooperation. |
| Relevant Policy Issues: | Identification of Evidence-based Practices and Programs that Address Causes of Health Disparities, Result in Positive Health Outcomes, and are Generalizable/replicable. |
| Data Type(s): | Survey |
| Unit of Analysis: | Individual |
| Identification of AI/AN/NA: | Which one or more of the following would you say is your race? Are you American Indian or Alaska Native (AI/AN), Asian, Black or African American, Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander (NH/PI), or White? (Interviewers are instructed to code all that apply. If the respondent says “Hispanic,” they are to probe for one of the listed race categories.) |
| AI/AN/NA Population in Data Set: | In 2003, data were collected from 6,369 respondents. Of these 6,369 respondents, 203 were AI/AN and 32 were NH/PI. In 2005, data were collected from 5,586 respondents. Of these 5,586 respondents, 141 were AI/AN and 17 were NH/PI. |
| Geographic Scope: | The geographic scope of the study is national. No additional geographic breakdowns of the data are available. |
| Date or Frequency: | HINTS data were collected in 2003 and 2005. The third administration of the survey was funded in 2006 and will go into the field in 2007. |
| Data Collection Methodology: | Telephone data collection was conducted using computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) by trained telephone interviewers over a period of 25 weeks. In 2005, some respondents were offered a web-based option for completing the survey using the Internet. |
| Participation: | Optional, with incentives |
| Response Rate: | The 2005 overall response rate is reported as 20.83 percent. |
| Sampling Methodology: | The sample design for both the 2003 and 2005 HINTS was a list-assisted, random digit dialing (RDD) sample of all telephone exchanges in the United States. This approach resulted in a nationally representative sample of households. During the household screener, one adult was sampled within each household and recruited for the extended interview. The respondent selection process was the same for the 2003 and 2005 HINTS with a minor modification for three-person households. |
| Analysis: | The HINTS data set is weighted. Base weights were assigned to both sampled households and sampled adults within households. Standard errors were computed for HINTS 2005 estimates. The HINTS 2005 Final Report contains detailed information regarding the computation of these weights. |
| Strengths: | Data are collected on health policy issues including health communication and information. There are multiple years of data available. |
| Limitations: | There are a very limited number of AI/AN/NA individuals in this study. The response rate for the 2005 HINTS study is very low. |
| Access Requirements and Use Restrictions: | Data can be downloaded directly from the HINTS website at no cost (after registering). |
| Contact Information: | Data can be downloaded at
http://hints.matthewsgroup.com/register.asp.
NCI Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences |
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