Quality control in a national health examination survey

The Health Examination Survey is one of the major survey programs conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics under the authority of the National Health Survey Act of 1956. This act provided for a continuing survey and special studies to secure on a non-compulsory basis accurate and current statistical information on the amount, distribution, and effects of illness and disability in the United States and the services received for or because of such conditions; and (2) for studying methods and survey techniques for securing such statistical information, with a view toward their continuing improvement." To obtain information about the health of the U.S. population the National Health Survey is divided into three survey programs. One of these, the Health Interview Survey, is primarily concerned with the impact and social dimensions of morbidity. It collects data by continuously sampling and interviewing the civilian, noninstitutional population of the United States. A second, the Health Resources Program, provides statistics on the health of the institutional population, the utilization of medical facilities, and health manpower. The third program of the National Health Survey is the Health Examination Survey (HES). In the Health Examination Survey primary emphasis is on the collection of data by direct examinations and tests on a probability sample from the civilian, noninstitutional population of the United States. Such examinations and tests can yield standardized information about diagnosed conditions, including those which persons may fail to report or may be incapable of reporting in a survey based upon individual interviews. They can also reveal previously undiagnosed, unattended, and nonmanifested conditions.