The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), the most comprehensive survey of the health and nutritional status of the U.S. population is coming to N. Cook and the city of Chicago, IL beginning on May 23, 2014.
Each year, 5,000 lucky residents across the nation have the chance to participate in the latest National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, conducted by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), part of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
“NHANES serves as the nation’s ‘health check-up,’ going into communities to collect health information throughout the country,” said CDC Director Thomas Frieden. “The survey is a unique resource for health information, and without it we would lack important knowledge about major health conditions.”
“This is a one-of-a kind survey to help us better understand health-related issues across the
United States. We all benefit when communities are healthy and when families are healthy,” said Chicago Department of Public Health Commissioner Bechara Choucair, M.D.
For the past 50 years, NHANES has had a prominent role in improving the health of all people living in the U.S. Public health officials, legislators, and physicians use the information gathered in NHANES to develop sound health policies, direct and design health programs and services, and expand the health knowledge for the nation. NHANES findings provide critical health-related information on a number of issues such as obesity, diabetes and cardiovascular disease. In addition, NHANES data are used to produce national references and are used to create standardized growth charts for pediatricians across the country.
“The NHANES survey is a vital public health tool. Public health officials use NHANES results to help plan for and address health problems that promote healthy lifestyles and set community health goals,” said Cook County Department of Public Health Chief Operating Officer Terry Mason, MD, FACS.
Everyone in the U.S., from babies yet to be born to the elderly, has benefited from the information gathered by NHANES. The comprehensive data collected by NHANES has a far reaching and significant impact on everything from the quality of the air we breathe, to the vaccinations you get from your doctor, to the emergence of low-fat and “light” foods on the shelves of your grocery store. Now, an NHANES team of health professionals, nutritionists and health technicians is heading toward N. Cook county and the city of Chicago and wants everyone who is lucky enough to be selected for the survey to agree to participate.
Residents will have an invitation-only opportunity to participate in NHANES. Individuals selected for the NHANES program represent the U.S. population covering all ages, races, and ethnicities. Respondents first participate in a health interview conducted in the respondent’s home followed by a health examination that takes place in one of three mobile examination centers.
No medical care is provided directly in the mobile examination center, but a report on physical findings is given to each participant along with an explanation from survey medical staff. The various tests and procedures performed depend on the age and gender of the participant. All information collected in the survey is kept strictly confidential and privacy is protected by public law.
Why Should Every Eligible ResidentParticipate in NHANES?
- All participants receive a free and confidential health and nutrition evaluation
- Individuals who agree to participate will receive compensation for their time and travel expenses of up to $125
- Your participation can help develop and evolve national health programs
- If you are selected, you will help make a difference in our nation’s health!
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