The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), the most comprehensive survey of the health and nutritional status of the U.S. population, will be surveying Dubuque County residents beginning May 4, 2023.
Each year, 5,000 residents nationwide are selected to participate in NHANES, a national survey that monitors the health and nutritional status of adults and children across the United States conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This year, Dubuque County is one of 15 counties whose residents may be selected to be part of this initiative: CDC.GOV/NHANES.
Beginning March 23, the NCHS will randomly select households in Dubuque County that will be sent letters inviting them to be part of NHANES by completing a brief online questionnaire. By selecting participants this way NHANES data can more accurately represent the U.S. population. Those eligible will be contacted by an NHANES representative to set up a telephone or in-person health interview. This will be followed by an in-person health examination. Health examinations will take place at a NHANES mobile examination center to be located in the County starting May 4 through July 3, 2023.
While no direct medical care is provided, a report on physical findings is given to each participant, along with an explanation of those findings from survey medical staff. All information collected in the survey is strictly confidential and individual privacy is protected by law.
Since 1960, NHANES data has helped address critical health concerns, such as obesity, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. Public health officials, legislators, and physicians use this information to develop health policies, design health programs, and expand the nation’s health knowledge.
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