Prevalence of chronic skin and musculoskeletal conditions, United States-1969

During 1969 the prevalence of chronic skin ,and musculoskeletal diseases among members of the civilian noninstitutionalized population was measured in the Health Interview Survey. Prevalence estimates and measures of impact of these conditions on the population covered by the Survey are presented in this report. This is the first report on the prevalence of chronic skin and musculoskeletal conditions based on data collected in health interviews to be published in the series, Vital and Health Statistics, and is one in a series of reports on specific condition groups (Series 10, Nos. 83,84, and 94). Methodological studies have shown that chronic conditions are generally underreported in interview surveys. Respondents in health interviews can report only those conditions of which they are aware and which they are willing to report to the interviewer. Reporting is better for those conditions which have made an impact on the affected individual and his family. Conditions that are severe, costly, or require treatment tend to be better reported than conditions having lesser impact. For instance, a condition which has caused hospitalization, limitation of activity, visits to the doctor, or days in bed is more likely to be reported in the interview than a condition which has little or no impact on the person.