NHIS

Injury and Poisoning Questions

The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) is comprised of several questionnaires. Prior to 1997, the NHIS consisted of a family core questionnaire and selected supplements. Since 1997, the NHIS has consisted of Family, Sample Adult, and Sample Child core questionnaires, plus annual supplements that either stand alone or are embedded in the core. In the table below are the names of the NHIS core and supplement questionnaires that contained injury and poisoning questions.

The injury and poisoning questions for 1957-1996 [PDF – 1.4 MB] have been extracted from the original questionnaires for easy reference. The injury and poisoning questions for 1997 to the present are presented in a table to make it easier for users to see the changes that have occurred in the questions from 1997 to the present. The complete questionnaires, of which these are a part, can be accessed using the Guide for Data Users.

NHIS Sections Containing Injury and Poisoning Questions: 1957-present

Data Year Questionnaire Section
1957 – 1996 Condition record – injury questions
1968 (FY and CY)

Family Core – screening question

Motor vehicle supplement

1975 Family Core – embedded supplement
1985

Health Promotion Disease Prevention supplement –

  • Section O – Injury Control and Child Safety and Health
  • Section V – Occupational Safety and Health
1987 Cancer Control Supplement – Occupational Safety – (one prevention
question on work exposure)
1988

Occupational Health Supplement – Prevention/Exposure

Child Health Supplement

  • Section P5 – Childhood conditions
  • Section P6 – Supplemental Conditions
  • Section P7 – General Health Status (1 question on seat belt use)
1990

Health Promotion Disease Prevention Child supplement

  • Section S – Injury Control and Child Safety and Health

Health Promotion Disease Prevention Adult supplement

  • Section Y – Alcohol Use (preventive question on driving when drinking)

Podiatry – (Injury to foot in past 12 months)

1991 Supplement Section B – Unintentional Injuries
Supplement Section D – Child Health supplement (prevention)
Supplement Section I – Occupational Health (prevention)
Supplement Section L – Clinical and Preventive services (prevention)
1992

Cancer Control Supplement Section J – Occupational Exposure

Youth Risk Behavior Survey (self-administered for ages 12-21)

1993

Year 2000 Objectives

  • Section YD – Occupational Safety and Health
  • Section YG – Clinical and Preventive Services
1994

Disability Phase I supplement

Condition records – core injury questions

Functional Limitations (one question on whether/not caused by motor vehicle (MV) accident)

Disability Phase II adult supplement Section H – Assistance with Key

Activities (similar MV question for ADL/IADL limitation, burn/scald while bathing, falls and injuries, injuries while home alone)

Disability Phase II: Healthy Aging supplement – Section G (same questions as in Section H of Adult questionnaire)

Polio Supplement Section when not at physical best – severe injuries

Year 2000 Objectives Section G – Firearm Safety (prevention)

1995 Same questions as in 1994 Disability supplements except no supplement on Healthy Aging
1997 Family Core – Section II – Injuries
1998

Family Core – Section III – Injuries

Adult Prevention Module – Section A. – Injury Prevention

Child Prevention Module – Section C. – Injury Prevention

1999-2001 Family Core – Section III – Injuries
2002

Family Core – Section III – Injuries

Sample Adult Core (ACN) – supplement questions

Sample Child Core (CHS) – supplement questions

2003 Family Core – Section III – Injuries
2004-2006 Family Core – Family Injuries and Poisoning
2007

Family Core – Family Injuries and Poisoning

Sample Adult Core (ACN) – supplement questions

2008-present Family Core – Family Injuries and Poisoning