Why are questions about race and Hispanic origin asked in
the NHIS?
Race and Hispanic origin are variables that are very important in analyzing
the data we collect. For example, such information helps us learn whether
people in one group are more or less likely to have health insurance
coverage or access to health care services than people in another group. In
turn, this information helps policymakers better understand how to improve
the health care system.
What happens when respondents feel uncomfortable about
questions on race and Hispanic origin?
Since race and Hispanic origin information is very important to our
understanding of the health data we collect, we encourage respondents to
report as much information as they are able and willing to give us. However,
we understand that race and Hispanic origin are complex concepts and that
some respondents may have difficulty answering these questions, including
those who are reporting race and Hispanic origin for other members of the
household (i.e., proxy responses). In the event that respondents feel that
they cannot answer questions on race or are unwilling to do so, they can
indicate “Don’t Know” or “Refused” as their response, as they can on any
other question on the survey.
Why are NHIS race and Hispanic origin data imputed?
In the 1995-2005 NHIS sample design, the final stage of the development of
person-level weights for the NHIS includes procedures that ensure that NHIS
estimates for approximately 88 age-sex-race-Hispanic origin categories are
consistent with independent population estimates that are developed by the
U.S. Bureau of the Census. These procedures require that each person in the
NHIS sample have a valid response for age, sex, race, and Hispanic origin.
Those respondents who do not have a response for race and/or Hispanic origin
are assigned one through imputation.
The imputation procedures used on the NHIS race and Hispanic origin data are
based on those developed by the U.S. Bureau of the Census for the creation
of the Modified Race Data Summary file. Imputation flags are also available
on the NHIS public use data file for users who wish to analyze unimputed
race data. More information on the NHIS imputation procedures can be found
in Appendix II of the 2004 NHIS Survey Description Document.
Why have the names of NHIS race and Hispanic origin
variables changed on the public use data files over the years?
The names of the race and Hispanic origin variables have changed over the
years whenever some change was made to either the data collection procedures
or the editing and/or imputation procedures. In 1999, the names of the race
and Hispanic origin variables were changed to indicate the full
implementation of the revised OMB race standards in the NHIS. In 2000, they
were changed again to indicate the implementation of hot-deck imputation
procedures. In 2003, the names of the race variables were changed to
indicate the editing out of “Other race” responses.
Why are some data on race and Hispanic origin not
available on the NHIS public use data files?
We are unable to release detailed data on some of the smaller racial and
ethnic population groups on our public use data files because of
confidentiality and disclosure regulations.
How can I get access to race and Hispanic origin data
that are not publicly available?
Researchers who wish to access confidential NHIS data on race and Hispanic
origin may submit a research proposal to use the NCHS Research Data Center.
Procedures for submitting the proposal and other important information can
be found here: NCHS Research Data Center.
Where can I find information on using the race and
Hispanic origin data in each of the NHIS data years?
All information on the race and Hispanic origin data for a given year of the
redesigned NHIS can be found in Appendix II of the Survey Description
Document for that data year. The information for the 2005 NHIS file release
can be found in the 2005 Survey Description Document.
Will there be future changes to the NHIS that may affect
the race and Hispanic origin data?
Yes. The NHIS sample is redesigned about every 10 years, following the
Decennial Census. The next redesign will cover the 2006-2014 survey years,
and will include, for the first time, an oversample of Asian households.
Similar to past sample redesigns that have included oversampling of black
and Hispanic households, this sample redesign will help to improve the
precision of estimates for Asian respondents to the NHIS.
Whom do I contact to get more information on the NHIS
race and Hispanic origin data?
You may contact:
Jacqueline Lucas
National Center for Health Statistics
Division of Health Interview Statistics
3311 Toledo Road, Room 2333
Hyattsville, MD 20782
301-458-4355 (phone), 301-458-4035 (fax)
e-mail: jlucas@cdc.gov