The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) is a multi-purpose health survey conducted annually by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) and is the principal source of information on the health of the civilian, noninstitutionalized, household population of the United States. The NHIS has been conducted continuously since its beginning in 1957. The main objective of the NHIS is to monitor the health of the United States population through the collection and analysis of data on a broad range of health topics. A major strength of this survey lies in the ability to display these health characteristics by many demographic and socioeconomic characteristics. NHIS data are used widely throughout the Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) to monitor trends in illness and disability and to track progress toward achieving national health objectives. The data are also used by the public health research community for epidemiologic and policy analysis of such timely issues as characterizing those with various health problems, determining barriers to accessing and using appropriate health care, and evaluating Federal health programs.

The data set archived by Sociometrics contains data from three components or modules of the 2000 NHIS: the family core, the sample adult core, and the cancer control module. The family core component collects information on everyone in the respondent's family, including information on household composition and socio-demographic characteristics, basic indicators of health status, activity limitations, injuries, health insurance coverage, and access to and utilization of health care services. Within each family in the NHIS, one sample adult is randomly selected, and is administered the sample adult core questionnaire. For each sample adult, extensive information is collected on health status, conditions, disability, health care services, and behavior. In addition, sample adults were administered the cancer control module, which focused on cancer risk factors and behaviors and collected information on Hispanic acculturation, diet and nutrition, physical activity, tobacco, cancer screening, genetic testing, and family history.