About these resources
The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) restricts access to data that could compromise the confidentiality of survey respondents and institutions. Researchers must submit an application to the Research Data Center (RDC) to access these data.
You should review all relevant methodological information, including analytic guidelines and sample design documentation, before applying for access.
Tip
After reviewing the documentation, if you cannot find the information you are looking for, please email
rdca@cdc.gov.
Available NCHS data
Each NCHS survey, study, and data system collects and provides different restricted data variables. Visit the individual pages linked here to learn what variables each NCHS data collection provides.
Please refer to the resources on these pages when preparing the data dictionary for your RDC proposal.
Access NHANES restricted data on genetics, dates, and geography via RDC.
Access NAMCS/NHAMCS restricted data through RDC approval; submit proposals with data dictionaries.
Information on what restricted data are available from the National Electronic Health Records Survey
Access restricted data from NHHCS and NHHAS through NCHS.
Explores NHCS vital data insights on hospital care patterns, policy, research, and trends.
Find details for NHDS public and restricted variables, RDC access, and codebooks for 1977–present.
Details restricted variables in NNHS and NNAS surveys and guides on accessing them for research.
Overview of NPALS's methods and data on U.S. long-term care providers.
Accessing NSRCF's restricted data via NCHS proposal submission.
Access NHIS variables, codebooks, and detailed data requests for 1997-2019.
The NHIS survey that collects data about teens from teens
Access NSFG restricted variables, contextual data, and geographic details for demographic research.
National Center for Health Statistics
Over the years, confidentiality standards have changed for the public release of certain details on...
Birth data files
The objective of the National Maternal and Infant Health Survey (NMIHS) was to collect data needed b...
Mortality data files
2021 Restricted-use Mortality Data Dictionary
Access DIM restricted use data with detailed substance and demographic insights.
Outlines how to access redacted death certificate literal text files
Learn how to access National Center for Health Statistics Rapid Surveys System restricted variables
Access RANDS survey focusing on health behaviors, conditions, and COVID-19 research.
Details about restricted variables in SLAITS datasets for various health surveys.
Geographic variables
The RDC provides select geographic codes for many NCHS surveys and data systems. Learn more about the level of geographic information provided by these data collections.
Linked data
The NCHS Data Linkage Program combines two or more datasets that have some related variables to create a new dataset. Researchers can analyze the new linked dataset to understand the relationships between different variables using data collected separately. NCHS restricts access to linked datasets, which are available through the RDC.
National Center for Health Statistics
NCHS survey data have been linked to HUD administrative data containing information on the timing of...
NCHS survey data have been linked to Medicare data files containing information on program enrollmen...
NCHS survey data have been linked to the research-oriented Medicaid files known as the Transformed S...
NCHS survey data have been linked to the NDI data containing information on mortality status, date o...
These data linkage resources are available for use by researchers, analysts, and others. For more da...
NCHS survey data have been linked to End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) data obtained from United States...
