Stored Biologic Specimens

 

Background

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) is a program of surveys conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Examination surveys conducted since 1960 by NCHS have provided national estimates of the health and nutritional status of the U.S. civilian non-institutionalized population.

Federal Register Notice of NHANES Stored Biologic Specimens: Guidelines for Proposals To Use Samples and Proposed Cost Schedule [PDF - 84 KB] (Updated July, 2009)

 

NHANES III

Serum Samples

Serum samples are available from NHANES III, which began in the Fall of 1988 and ended in the Fall of 1994. During this survey, data were collected and can be analyzed in to phases: Phase 1 was conducted from October 1988 to October 1991, and Phase 2 was conducted from October 1991 to October 1994. Both phases are nationally representative samples of the US population. For details see the Plan and Operation of the Third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 1988-94 [PDF - 21 MB].

DNA Samples

DNA Samples from NHANES III are available for research proposals. Please see the Types of Genetic Data Sets Available page for more information about these samples. A list of completed research using NHANES III samples is available on the Summaries of Research Using DNA Samples page.

 

NHANES 1999+

Serum, Urine, and Plasma Samples

Sera, urine, and a limited amount of plasma samples are available from NHANES 99+ participants who consented for their specimens to be used for future studies. Beginning in 1999, NHANES became a continuous, annual survey with examination of approximately 5,000 individuals a year and data release every two years. Proposed research projects and samples requested must come from this two-year design (i.e. requests must be for 1999-2000 samples or 2001-2002, etc.). Samples for a single year of the survey will not be provided for research projects, but multiple two-year cycles may be requested. A list of completed research projects using NHANES 1999+ stored sera is available on the Summaries of Research Using Stored Specimens page.

DNA Samples

Blood was collected and DNA was purified from consenting participants age 20 or more years from NHANES 1999-2002. These specimens are available for research proposals. Please see the Types of Genetic Data Sets Available page for more information about these samples.