From Vital and Health Statistics of the National Center for Health Statistics Number 113 � November 15, 1985 

PROPERJY OF THE ; 

PUBLICATIONSBRANCH 

EDITOfW LIBRARY 

Provisional Data from the


Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Supplement


to the National Health Interview Survey:


United States, January-March 1985


@ 

@ 

The National Center for Health Statistics included a special 

supplement on health promotion and disease prevention as part 

of the 1985 National Health Interview Survey questionnaire. 

This report presents provisional findings from the fwst three 

onths of data collection with that supplement. 

The 1985 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Sup 

lement is designed to monitor progress toward one of the major 

initiatives of the Department of Health and Human Services. 

This initiative is described in the 1979 Surgeon General’s 

Report on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, Healthy 

People. 1 In that report, broad goals were {established for the 

improvement of the health of Americans. The 1980 Public 

Health Service report, Promoting Health/Preventing Disease: 

Objectives for the Nation,2 details specific objectives necessary 

for attainment of those goals in each of fifteen priority areas. 

The target date for achieving the objectives is 199~.+This 1985 

supplement will be used for data collection again in 1990 for 

the purpose of monitoring progress achieved in the intervening 

five years. 

The 1985 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Sup 

plement is devoted primarily to the collection of baseline data 

on the following topics: general health (including nutrition), 

injury control and child health, high blood pressure, stress, 

exercise, smoking, alcohol use, dental care, and occupational 

safety and health. Those topics were selected after consultation 

with the Oflice of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion 

‘Ofl_iceof the Assistant Secretary for Health and Surgeon General: Healthy 

eople— The Surgeon GeneraSs Repofl on Health Promotion and Disease 

wenh”on-Background Papers, 1979. DHEW Pub. No. (PHS) 79-55071 A. 

J.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service Promoting HeaIth/Preventing Disease: Objectt”ves for the Nation. Washington. 

U.S. Government Printing Office, 1980. 

(Assistant Secretary for Health) as well as with the agencies 

designated by the Assistant Secretary for Health as having 

“lead” responsibility for implementing and monitoring progress 

toward achieving the 1990 objectives. Within each agency, 

subject matter experts also were consulted during the develop 

ment of the questiomaire for the supplement. 

This report presents provisional data, based on the first 

quarter of data collection, for selected items in the supplement. 

In most cases, the actual question asked of the respondent is 

shown on the table along with the response categories. In a few 

cases, there has been minor paraphrasing or combining of 

questions. Each question is referenced to the actual item number 

on the questiomaire. 

In general, the items in the supplement are “ofthe following 

two types: those related to individual health behaviors and those 

related to knowledge of health practices. Most of the questions 

on knowledge of health practices have answers that are currently 

presumed to be co~ect and are indicated in bold type in table 1. 

For some questions, references are provided for selected publications that present related data from previous data collection 

by the National Center for Health Statistics. 

Estimated percents or percentage distributions are presented (table 1) for all persons 18 years of age and over and for 

four age groups and both sexes. Generally, except for the questions on knowledge of health practices where “don’t know” is a 

legitimate response, “don’t know” and other inappropriate responses were excluded from the denominator in the calculation 

of the estimates. The estimated population for each of the 

demographic categories is shown in table I to allow readers to 

derive a provisional estimate of the number of people in the 

United States with a given characteristic. However, the estimates 

presented in thk report are provisional and will dtier to some 

degree from estimates made using the final data fde for the 

following reasons: (a) this report is based on data collected 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES Public Health Service 
2 ackncedata 

during the first three months of 1985 rather than the entire 

calendar year and those items affected by seasonality (exercise, 

for example) are subject to significant change; (b) the data tile 

was edited internally, but it was not edited with respect to the 

National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) core demographic 

variables (such as age, sex, and employment status); (c) the 

simplified weighting procedure used was not adjusted to all 

factors normally used in the NHIS weighting procedure. A 

final weighted data file covering the entire calendar year of 

data collection will be available during 1986. 

The following Federal agencies provided partial fhnding 

for the 1985 Health Promotion and Disease Prevention Sup 

plementi . . 

Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health 

OffIce of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion 

Alcohol, Drug Abuse, and Mental Health Administration 

National Institute of Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism 

National Institutes of Health 

National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute 

National Cancer Institute e 

National Institute of Dental Research 

National Institute of Child Health and Human Development r 

Health Resources and Services Administration 

Centers for Disease Control 

Center for Prevention Services


Center for Infectious Diseases


Center for Environmental Health


Center for Health Promotion and Education


National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health


Symbols 

. . . Category not applicable 

o Quantity more than zero but 0.5 or less 
.

3 

Table 1. Provisional estimates of the percent of population with selected behaviors and knowledge from the 1985 National Health


Interview Survey Supplement on Health Promotion and Disease prevention, by a9e and sex: United States, January-March 1985


ata are based on household interviews of the civilian noninstitutionalized population. The survey design, general


alifications, and information on the reliability of the estimates are given in technical notes.)


Age Sex


Section


and 

itern Al1 18-29 30-44 45-64 65 years 

number Health behaviors and knowledge ages years years years and over Male Female 

Percent of population 

Total ... ......................................................... 100 100 100 100 100 100 100 

GENERAL HEALTH HA81TS 

N.1. How often do you eat breakfast?l 

Almost every day ................................................ 55 42 46 62 87 55 56 

Sometimes ....................................................... 19 27 22 16 6 20 19 

Rarely or never .................... ............................ 25 31 32 22 8 26 25 

N.2. Including evening snacks. how often do you eat between meals?l 

Almost every day........ ....................................... 39 42 42 37 32 40 38 

Sometimes ....................... . ............... ............. 37 32 34 

Rarely or never. ........................... .. .... ........ . ;: 21 26 :: $ $ 28 

N.3. When you visit a doctor or other health professional for 

routine care, is eating proper foods discussed?


Often. ........... ........................ ........... ...... 10 7 8 13 8 11


Sometimes ............ ..................... .................... ;; 18


Rarely or never... ....... ... ................................ :: :; ;; ;; 66 ;: 66


Don’tvisit for routine care. .................................. 8 7 8 9 9 12 5


N.5. In your opinion which of these are the two best ways to lose


weight? 

Don’teat at bedtime ............................................ 28 30 30 

Eat fewer calories .............................................. 75 ;: % % 73 70 % 

Take diet pills ................................................. 1 1 

Increase physical activity . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7; 8: 8; 66 53 7: 7; 

Eat no fat...................................................... 10 6 8 12 20 11 10 

Eatgrapefruit with each meal ................................... 5 3 0 7 4 

Don’t know ...................................................... 7 : 5 7 15 : 6 

N.6. Are you now trying to lose weight?2 (Yes)......................... 37 35 41 41 25 27 46 

N.7. Are you eating fewer calories to 1ose weight?2 (Persons trying 

toloseweight (yes) in N.6) (Yes)................................ 82 77 84 87 77 77 85 

N.8. Have you increased your physical activity to lose weight?2 

(Persons trying to lose weight (yes) in N.6) (Yes)................ 57 72 59 49 38 58 57 

N.9. Do you consider yourself overweight, underweight, or just 

about right? (If overweight) Would you say you are very 

overweight, somewhat overweight, or only a 1ittle overweight?2,3 

Vervoverweiaht ................................................. 8 9 12 7


Som;what ove;weight.............................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 17 1: 14 1: E


Only a little overweight ......................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ;? % 20 21


About right...................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . E & 45 41 52 E 42


Underweight ...................................... . . .. . . . . . . . . . . 6 8 5 4 8 8 4


N.1O. On the average, how many hours of S1eep do you get na


24-hour period?l 

Less than 7 hours................................ .............. 22 21 22 19 22 22 

7-8 hours........................................ .............. 66 65 ;: 68 59 67 65 

9or more hours................................................. 12 14 7 10 21 11 13 

N.Il. Is there a particular clinic, health center, doctor’s office, 

or other place that you usually go to if you are sick or need 

advice about your health?4 (Yes).................................. 78 70 75 82 88 72 82 

N.15. About how long has it been since you had a Pap smear 

test?5 (Females only)


Less than lyear ................................................ 44 59 47 36 23 ... 44 “


I year .......................................................... 16 22 14 ...


2 years ......................................................... :: 7 11 f; 12 ... ::


3-4 years .... .................................................. 8 4 9 10 ... 8


5or more years ................................................. 12 3 9 19 ;; ... 12


Never ........................................................... 7 12 2 5 15 ... 7


See footnotes at end of table.

.

� 

4 

Table 1. Provisional estimates of the percent of population with selected behaviors and knowledge from the 1985 National Health


Interview Survey Supplement on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, by age and sex: United States, January-March 1985--Con.


(Data are based on household interviews of the civilian noninstitutionalized population. The survey design, general


qualifications, and information on the reliability of the estimates are given in technical notes.)


Age Sex 

Section 

and 

itern Al1 18-29 30-44 45-64 65 years 

number Health behaviors and knowledge ages years years years and over Male Female 

GENERAL HEALTH HABITS--Corl. Percent of population 

N.16a. About how long has it been since you had a breast examination 

by a doctor or other health professional?5 (Females only) 

Less than 1 year ................................................ 49 59 50 45 39 . . . 49 

1 year.. ........................................................ 18 17 22 18 14 40 

. . . 18 

2 years ......................................................... 10 7 11 10 11 . . . 10 

3-4 years.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 8 8 . . . 7 

5 or more years.. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . i 3 7 12 1: . . . 8 

Never . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 10 2 6 15 . . . 8 

N.16b. Do you know how to examine your own breasts for 

lumps? (Females only) (Yes)....................................... 88 87 92 90 80 . . . 88 

N.16C. About how many times a year do you examine your own breasts 

for 1umps? (Females onlj) 

120r more times............................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32 26 35 34 31 . . . 32 

7-11 times................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 2 3 3 . . . 

2-6 times.................................... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 36 37 39 35 2; . . . 3; 

Once a year .................................. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 5 4 4 . . . 4 

Never........................................ . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14 16 1; 13 . . . 14 

Don’t know how to examine own breast ......... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12 13 8 10 ;! . . . 12 

INJURY CONTROL AND CHILO SAFETY AND HEAL H 

O.la. Have you ever heard about Poison Control Centers? (Persons in 

families with children under 10 years of age) (yes)............... 91 89 93 80 68 88 

O.lb. Oo you have the telephone number for a Poison Control Center 

in your area? (persons in families with children under 10 years 

of age) (Yes)..................................................... 61 57 66 48 13 58 63 

0.3. Have you heard about child safety seats, sometimes called car 

safety carriers, which are designed to carry children while 

they are riding in a car? (Persons in families with children 

under 5 years of age) (Yes)....................................... 98 98 98 100 100 98 99 

0.4. Did a doctor or other health professional ever tel1 you about 

the importance of using car safety seats for your children? 

(Persons in families with children under 5 years of age) (Yes).... 45 50 41 33 18 37 

0.10. When driving or riding in a car, do you wear a seat belt3--

Allormost of the time......................................... 30 30 34 29 26 29 31 

Some of the time................................................ 18 19 18 18 14 16 19 

Once in awhile .................................................. 16 15 15 

Never ........................................................... : 34 32 :: : $ 34 

Don’tride in car ............................................... 1 0 1 1 2 1 1 

Does this hem? have any working smoke detectors? (8ased on 

Items O.lla .-c.) (Yes)............................................ 58 54 62 59 54 58 57 

0.12a. Do you know about what the hot water temperature is in this 

home? (Yes)....................................................... 35 25 39 43 34 46 25 

0.13. In the past 12 months, have you (or has anyone in your household) 

used a thermometer to test the temperature of the hot water here? 

(Yes).................................................... ....... 4 4 5 4 3 4 4 

0.14. Above what temperature will hot water cause seald injuries? 

127 degrees or less............................................. 14 20 16 11 6 16 12 

128-139 degrees (can produce burns in less than a minute )....... 3 2 1 2 

140 degrees or above (can produce burns in 5 seconds or less)... 2: 16 2; 27 20 3? 

Don’t know...................................................... 63 61 61 60 74 49 ;: 

See footnotes at end of table.

ackancedata 5 

Table 1. Provisional estimates of the percent of population with selected behaviors and knowledge from the 1985 National Health 

Interview Survey Supplement on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention. by age and sex: United States, January-March 1985--Con. 

ata are based on household interviews of the civilian noninstitutional ized population. The survey design, general 

alifications, and information on the reliability of the estimates are given in technical notes.)


@


Age Sex 

Section 

and 

i tern Al1 18-29 30-44 45-64 65 years 

number Health behaviors and knowledge ages years years years and over Male Female 

HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE


P.1.	 I am going to read a list of things which may or may not


affect a person’s chances of getting heart disease. After I


read each one, tell me if you think it definitely increases,


probably increases, probably does not, or definitely does not


increase a person’s chances of getting heart disease.


Cigarette smoking


Increases .....................................................


Does not increase .............................................


Don’tknow/No opinion .........................................


Worry or anxiety


Increases .....................................................


Does not increase .............................................


Don’tknow/No opinion .........................................


High blood pressure


Increases .....................................................


Does not increase .............................................


Don’tknow/No opinion .........................................


Diabetes


Increases .....................................................


Does not increase.............................................


Don’tknow/No opinion .........................................


Being very overweight


Increases .....................................................


Does not increase.............................................


Don’tknow/No opinion .........................................


Overwork


Increases.....................................................


Does not increase.............................................


Don’tknow/No opinion .........................................


Drinking coffee with caffeine


Increases .....................................................


Does not increase .............................................


Don’tknow/No opinion .........................................


Eating a diet high in animal fat


Increases .....................................................


Does not increase .............................................


Don’tknow/No opinion .........................................


Family history of heart disease


Increases .....................................................


Does not increase .............................................


Don’tknow/No opinion .........................................


High cholesterol


Increases .....................................................


Does not increase .............................................


Don’tknow/No opinion .........................................


P.2.	 The following conditions are related to having a stroke. In 

your opinion, which of these conditions most increases a 

person’s chances of having a stroke? 

Diabetes ........................................................


High blood pressure .............................................


High cholesterol ................................................


Don’t know ......................................................


P.3. Which one of the following substances in food is most often


� associated with high blood pressure?


Sodim (orsalt) ................................................


Cholesterol .....................................................


Sugar ...........................................................


Don’t know ....................... ..............................


See footnotes at end of table.


Percent of population


91 94 93 91 83 91 92 

3 3 3 3 5 4 3 

5 3 4 6 12 5 5 

85 84 87 86 80 84 86 

8 11 8 7 9 8 

7 5 5 7 1: 7 7 

92 93 94 92 83 91 

3 2 3 3 

6 : 4 5 1: 6 

60 65 64 58 48 60 60 

11 11 11 11 

:: 24 25 $1 ;! 29 29 

94 95 96 95 87 94 94 

2 2 2 2 3 2 

4 2 2 3 10 : 4 

72 78 78 67 59 69 75 

19 16 15 23 22 22 16 

9 6 7 10 19 9 9 

50 53 52 49 42 47 52 

29 31 29 29 32 27 

21 16 19 22 :1 21 21 

80 77 82 83 75 77 82 

8 9 8 7 7 10 6 

13 13 11 10 18 14 12 

82 87 85 82 69 79 85 

8 7 9 12 10 6 

10 ; 7 9 19 10 9 

86 89 89 87 76 85 87 

4 5 4 4 5 5 4 

9 6 7 9 19 9 9 

5 6 4 4 

78 74 80 8; 7: 7: 79 

12 15 12 10 9 13 11 

6 4 5 6 12 6 6 

59 59 64 60 48 57 61 

24 27 22 25 23 24 24 

9 10 7 7 14 11 7 

8 5 6 8 16 8 7 
6 

Table 1. Provisional estimates of the percent of population with selected behaviors and knowledge from the 1985 National Health


Interview Survey Supplement on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, by age and sex: United States, January-March 1985--Con.


(Data are based on household interviews of the civilian noninstitutionalized population. The survey design, general


qualifications, and information on the reliability of the estimates are given in technical notes.) r


Age Sex


Section


and


itern All 18-29 30-44 45-64 65 years


number Health behaviors and knowledge ages years years years and over Male Female


HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE- Con. Percent of population


P.12a. About how long has it been since you last had your blood


pressure taken by a doctor or other health professional?2,3 

Less than 6nmths .............................................. 54 50 48 57 70 49 60 

6-llnxmths ..................................................... 19 21 21 16 14 lB 19 

12nmnths to23 months.......................................... 14 16 15 14 7 16 12 

24 months and over .............................................. 13 13 15 13 9 17 10 

P.12b. Blood pressure is usually given as one number over another. 

Were you told what your blood pressure was, in numbers? (Persons 

with blood pressure checked within 24 months in 12a) (Yes)........ 70 67 71 72 68 72 68 

P.14. Have you ever been told by a doctor or other health 

professional that you had high cholesterol? (Yes)................. 5 1 3 9 11 5 5 

STRESS


Q.1. During the past 2 weeks, would you say that you experienced a


lot of stress, a moderate amount of stress, relatively little 

stress, or almost no stress at all? 

Alot of stress................................................. 20 23 24 18 12 18 22 

Amderate anmunt of stress..................................... 32 36 37 30 16 33 30 

Relatively little stress........................................ 22 23 20 22 22 21 22 

Almost none ..................................................... 25 17 18 28 46 26 24 

Don’tknowwhat stress es.................................. .... 2 1 1 2 5 2 2 

Q.2. In the past year, how much effect has stress had on your


health? r 

A lit........................................................... 12 15 14 9 

Some ............................................................ :: 33 35 29 21 i: :: 

Hardly any or none .............................................. 

Don’tknow what stress es....................................... 

54 

2 

53 

1 

49 

1 

55 

2 

65 

5 

61 

2 

49 

2 

Q.3a. In the past year, did you think about seeking help for any 

personal or emotional problems from family or friends? (Yes)...... 17 25 21 11 4 12 20 

Q.3b. In the past year, did you think about seeking help for any 

personal or emotional problems from a helping professional or a 

self-help group? (Yes)............................................ 12 14 17 9 4 10 14 

Q.4. Did you actually seek any help? (Yes) From whom did you seek 

help? 

Family or friends ................................................. 

Professional orself help group. .................................. 

8 

7 

14 

8 

9 

11 

4 

6 

2 

3 

5 

6 

10 

9 

EXERCISE


R.2a. 

exercises, sports, or physically active hobbies%--

Walking for exercise ............................................ 

Jogging or running .............................................. 

40 

11 

43 

24 

39 

12 

39 

4 

41 

1 

38 

15 

43 

8 

Calisthenicsor general exercise.. .............................. 26 39 28 18 12 26 26 

Biking. ........................................................ 9 11 9 8 5 9 

Swifmningor water exercises ..................................... 5 7 5 3 1 5 : 

R.3. Do you exercise or PIV sports regularly? (Yes)................... 41 55 44 31 27 44 38 

R.4. For how long have you exercised or pldyed sports regular Y? 

Less than-l year ...................................... ......... 

1-2 years .... ........................................ ......... 

3-4 years ............................................. ......... 

5 

6 

3 

8 

7 

4 

6 

7 

4 

4 

3 

2 

3 

3 

3 

4 

7 

7 

4 

5or more years ....................................... ......... 

Donot exercise regularly ............................. ........ 

25 

59 

34 

45 

2: 

56 

18 

69 

17 

73 

3? 

56 &-lIn the past 2 weeks, have you done any of the f llowin9


See footnotes at end of table.

admdata7 

Table 1. Provisional estimates of the percent of population with selected behaviors and knowledge from the 1985 National Health


_ Interview Survey Supplement on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, by age and sex: United States, January-March 1985--Con.€

( ‘ata are based on household interviews of the civilian noninstitutionalized POPU1ation. The survey design, 9eneral


Jalifications, and information on the reliability of the estimates are given in technical notes.)


Age Sex


Section


and


itern Al1 18-29 30-44 45-64 65 years


number Health behaviors and knowledge ages years years years and over Male Female


EXERCISE- Con. Percent of population


R.5a.	 Would you say that you are physically more active, le s


active, or about as active as other persons your age??,3


Is that (a lot more or a little more/a lot less or a


little less) active?


A lot more ...................................................... 18 16 17 18 23


Alittle nmre ................................................... 15 13 15 15 17


About as active ...................................... . . . . . . . . . . 49 50 48 49 47


A lot less ........................................... . . . . . . . . . . 5 6 8 7


A little less ........................................ . . . . . . . . . . 1: 16 14 10 7


R.7a. How many days a week do you think a person s$ould exert se 

to strengthen the heart and 1ungs?


Less than 3 days..................................... . . . . . . . . . . 8 3


3-4 days ............................................. . . . . . . . . . . 4: 54 4; 3: 16 4! 4:


5davs or more ....................................... . . . . . . . . . . 38 32 34 44 45 38 38


Don’; know ...................................................... 16 6 10 20 36 15 16


R.7b.	 For how many minutes do you think a person should exercise


on each occasion so that the heart and lungs are


strengthened?


Less than 15 minutes............................................ 6 4 5 8 10 7


15t025m”nutes ................................................ 24 23 27 25 19 2: 25


More than 25 minutes............................................ 50 66 56 42 26 54 47


Don’t know ...................................................... 19 7 12 26 45 18 20


r ..7C.	 During those (number in 7b) minutes, how fast do you think


a person’s heart rate and breathing should be to strengthen


the heart and 1ungs? Do you think that the heart and


breathing 

No faster than usual ............................................ 4 3 2 4 3 4 

A little faster than usual ...................................... 44 45 43 44 4: 43 45 

Alotfaster outtalking impossible. ........................... 

So fast that talking is not possible.. .......................... 

Don’t know ...................................................... 

36 

1 

16 

46 

1 

5 

44 

1 

10 

30 

2; 

11 

3; 

38 

1 

15 

33 

1 

17 

Sh!OKING 

rate should be-­


Cigarette smoking status (8ased on Items S.1-3)


Never ........................................................... 45 56 41 37 48 36 54


Former .......................................................... 25 14 23 32 36 32 18


Current (Includes unknown anmunt smoked)........................ 30 30 36 31 16 33 28


Less than 15.................................................. 9 12 10 7 6 9 10


15-24......................................................... 12 13 14 13 7 13 12€

25 and over ................................................... 8 5 12 10 3 10 6€

S.3. On the average, about how many cigarettes a day do you now


smoke?7 (Current snmkers)


Less than 15.................................................... 31 41 24 37 28 35


15-24........................................................... 41 42 :: 42 46 41 42


25 and over ..................................................... 27 17 33 34 17 31 23


S.4. Tell me if you think cigarette smoking definitely increases,


probably increases, probably does not, or definitely does


not increase a person’s chances of getting the following


problems?


Emphysema


Increases ..................................................... 92 91 ‘94 92 88 92 91€

Does not increase............................................. 2 2 2 1 2


Don’tknow/No opinion ......................................... 7 7 : 6 11 : 7


~ 81adder cancer 

Increases ..................................................... 35 41 33 34 31 37 

[ Does not increase............................................. 25 30 30 21 24 

Don’tknow/No opinion ......................................... 40 28 37 45 ;: 39 

See footnotes at end of table.

8 acklncedata 

Table I. Provisional estimates of the percent of population with selected behaviors and knowledge from the 1985 National Health


Interview Survey Supplement on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, by age and sex: United States, January-March 1985--Con.


(Data are based on household interviews of the civilian noninstitutionalized population. The survey design, general


qualifications, and information on the reliability of the estimates are given in technical notes.)


e


Age Sex


Section


and


itern Al1 18-29 30-44 45-64 65 years


number Health behaviors and knowledge ages years years years and over Male Female


Sk’Cl
KING-Con. Percent of population


S.4.	 Tell me if you think cigarette smoking definitely increases, 

probably increases, probably does not, or definitely does 

not increase a person’s chances of getting the following 

problems?- Con. 

Cancer of the 1arynx or voice box 

Increases. ................................................... 88 92 92 86 77 87 89 

Does not increase............................................. 4 

Don’tknow/No opinion ......................................... ; : : 1; 1; 9 : 

Cataracts 

Increases..................................................... 21 14 

Does not increase ............................................. :; 46 :; # i; ; 

Don’tknow/No opinion ......................................... 43 33 38 X 61 42 44 

Cancer of the esophagus 

Increases ..................................................... 80 85 83 78 70 79 81 

Does not increase............................................. 6 7 6 6 

Don’tknow/No opinion ......................................... 14 z 10 16 24 1; 1: 

Chronic bronchitis 

Increases..................................................... 87 90 89 86 77 86 87 

Does not increase............................................. 4 4 5 4 5 5 4 

Don’tknow/No opinion......................................... 9 6 6 9 18 9 9 

Gallstones 

Increases..................................................... 11 14 9 9 

Does not increase ............................................. 45 4; 31 :: 

Don’tknow/No opinion ......................................... 44 ‘ :; :: 49 60 43 0 

Lung cancer 

Increases..................................................... 95 98 97 94 88 95 95 

Does not increase............................................. 1 1 2 2 1 1 

Don’tknow/No opinion ......................................... 4 1 ; 5 9 4 4 

S.4.	 Does cigarette smoking during pregnancy definitely increase,


probably increase, probably not or definitely not increase


the chances of--(Persons under 45 years of age)


Miscarriage 

Increases..................................................... 74 79 70 ... ... 74 75 

Does not increase............................................. 12 10 13 ... ... 10 

Don’tknow/No opinion ......................................... 14 10 17 ... ... 16 i; 

Stillbirth 

Increases ..................................................... 65 71 60 ... ... 64 67 

Does not increase............................................. 15 13 16 ... ... 13 16 

Don’tknow/No opinion ......................................... 20 16 23 ... ... 23 17 

Premature birth 

Increases ..................................................... 70 75 66 ... ,.. 65 75 

Does not increase............................................. 13 11 ... ... 13 12 

Don’tknow/No opinion......................................... 17 14 ;; ... ... 22 13 

Low birth weight of the newborn 

Increases..................................................... 80 83 76 ... ... 74 85 

Does not increase ............................................. 7 9 ... ... 8 7 

Don’tknow/No opinion ......................................... 13 1! 15 ... ... 18 9 

S.5a. If a woman takes birth control pills, is she more likely


to have a stroke if she smokes than if she does not smoke? .


(Persons under 45 years of age)


More likely ..................................................... 65 67 63 ... ... 56 74


Not likely ...................................................... 6 6 ... ... 7 6


Don’t know...................................................... 29 27 3! ... ... 38 21


See footnotes at end of table.

.

ackmecw9 

Table 1. Provisional estimates of the percent of population with selected behaviors and knowledge from the 1985 National Health 

Interview Survey Supplement on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, by age and sex: United States, January-March 1985--Con. 

Data are based on household interviews of the civilian noninstitutional ized population. The survey design, general


ualifications, and information on the reliabi1ity of the estimates are given in technical notes.)
 e


Age Sex 

Section 

and 

itern Al1 18-29 30-44 45-64 65 years 

number Health behaviors and knowledge ages years years years and over Male Female 

T.lc.


T.2.


T.3.


T.6.


T.7.


T.8.


T.9.


ALCOHOL USE


Have you had at least-one drink of beer, wine or 1iquor


during thepast year? J (Yes)....................... ...............


In the past 2 weeks, on how many days did you drink a y


alcoholic beverages, such as beer, wine, or 1iquor?l,!


Didnotdrink in past year ......................................


None..,.........................................................


l-4 days........................................................


5-9 days........................................................


10-14 days...,..................................................


In the past 2 weeks, on the days that you drank alcoholic


beverage , how many drinks did you have per day, on the


average?f~3


Didnotdrink in past year ......................................


None ............................................................


1 drink .........................................................


2 drinks........................................................


3-4 drinks......................................................


5or more drinks................................................


Drinking Index (2-week daily drinking, based on items T.1-3)7


Did not drink in past year ......................................


None ............................................................


Light (.01 to .21 ounce absolute alcohol ).......................


Moderate (.22 to .99 ounce absolute alcohol )....................


Heavier (1.00 ounces or more absolute alcohol )..................


During the past 12 mnths, on how many days did you have 9 or


nmre drinks of any alcoholic beverage?


lormredays ..................................................


5or more days ..................................................


During the past 12 months, on how many days did you have 5 or


nmre drinks of any alcoholic beverage?l


lor more days..................................................


10or Nred~s .................................................


Ouring the past year, how many times did you drive when you


had perhaps too much to drink?


1 tiN ..........................................................


2orm0re times.................................................


Tell me if you think heavy alcohol drinkinq definitely


increases, probably increases, probably do& not, or definitely


does not increase a person’s chances of getting the following


problems?


Throat cancer


Increases .....................................................


Ooes not increase .............................................


Don’tknow/No opinion. .......................................


Cirrhosis of the liver


Increases .....................................................


Does not increase .............................................


Don’tknow/No opinion .........................................


B1adder cancer


Increases.....................................................


Does not increase.............................................


Don’tknow/No opinion .........................................


Percent of POPU1ation


66 76 74 62 41 77 57


34 24 26 38 59 23 43 

14 14 15 14 11 14 

32 43 37 26 15 :2 30 

12 10 13 5 

1? 7 11 1: 1; 15 7 

34 24 26 38 59 23 43 

14 14 13 14 

16 11 :: H :: 15 16 

17 18 15 8 13 

:!3 19 14 10 3 ;? 9 

8 14 8 5 2 13 4 

24 26 38 59 23 43 

14 15 11 14 

27 28 : 14 :; 24 

26 23 17 10 27 15 

9 7 9 6 14 3 

13 26 13 7 2 23


7 15 7 4 1 14 :


26 44 30 16 6 39 15


14 25 14 8 3 23 5


4 7 5 1 0 5 3


8 16 9 3 1 13 3


39 39 39 46 38 40 

35 42 % 31 17 38 31 

26 19 24 30 38 24 29 

96 97 95 89 95 95 

1 1 

3 ; : 10 : : 

73 68 64 55 67 65 

12 13 11 7 

15 19 25 37 E ;: 

ee footnotes at end of table.


e

10 adwincedata 

Table 1. Provisional estimates of the percent of population with selected behaviors and knowledge from the 1985 National Health


Interview Survey Supplement on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, by age and sex: United States, January-March 1985--Con.


(Data are based on household interviews of the civilian noninstitutionalized population. The survey design, general


qualifications, and information on the reliability of the estimates are given in technical notes.) �


Age Sex 

Section 

and 

itern Al1 18-29 30-44 45-64 65 years 

number Health behaviors and knowledge ages years years years and over Male Female 

ALCOHOL USE--Con.


T.9. Tell me if you think heavy alcohol drinking definitely


increases, probably increases, probably does not, or definitely


does not increase a person’s chances of getting the following


problems?-.Con.


Cancer of the mouth


Increases .....................................................


Does not increase.............................................


Don’tknow/No opinion .........................................


Arthritis


Increases.....................................................


Does not increase.............................................


Don’tknow/No opinion .........................................


Blood clots


Increases.................................... ................


Does not increase.......................................... ..


Don’tknow/No opinion.........................................


T.9.	 Does heavy drinking during pregnancy definitely increase,


probably increase, probably not or definitely not increase


the chances of--(Persons under 45 years of age)


Miscarriage


Increases.....................................................


Does not increase.............................................


Don’tknow/No opinion .........................................


Mental retardation of the newborn


Increases .....................................................


Does not increase.............................................


Don’tknow/No opinion.........................................


Low birth weight of the newborn


Increases.....................................................


Does not increase.............................................


Don’tknow/No opinion.........................................


Birth defects


Increases.....................................................


Does not increase.............................................


Don’tknow/No opinion .........................................


T.1O.	 Have you ever heard of Fetal Alcohol Syndrome? (Persons under


45years of age) (Yes)...........................................


DENTAL CARE


U.1.	 This next question is about preventing tooth decay. After I 

read each of the following, tell me if you think it is 

definitely important, probably important, probably not, or 

definitely not important in preventing tooth decay. 

Seeing a dentist regularly


I~rtant .....................................................


Not important .................................................


Don’t know/No opinion .........................................


Drinking water with fluoride from early childhood


Important.....................................................


Not important .................................................


Don’tknow/No opinion .........................................


Regular brushing and flossing of the teeth


Important .....................................................


Not important.................................................


Don’tknow/No opinion .........................................


See footnotes at end of table.


Percent of population


31 30 32 38 33 

37 45 :: 31 ;; 32 

32 25 30 36 :; 30 35 

15 13 13 13 

E 55 :; 41 29 H 44 

41 30 38 45 58 38 43 

34 45 32 28 27 34 34 

31 31 37 32 20 34 28 

35 24 31 40 53 32 37 

86 90 82 . . . . . . 86 8 

4 3 5 . . . . . . 3 

10 7 12 . . . . . . 11 

0 

84 88 80 . . . . . . 82 86 

5 4 6 . . . . . . 5 

11 8 13 . . . . . . 1: 9 

85 87 82 . . . . . . 81 88 

4 4 4 . . . . . . 5 

11 9 13 . . . . . . 14 ; 

85 89 81 . . . . . . 82 88 

5 4 6 . . . . . . 6 4 

10 7 13 . . . . . . 12 8 

58 55 60 . . . . . . 52 63 

96 97 97 95 93 95 97 

2 2 2 2 3 1 

2 1 1 2 i 2 2 

80 86 86 77 62 79 81 

8 9 7 8 9 7 

12 5 7 15 3; 12 12 

98 99 99 97 95 

1 0 0 

1 0 1 ; ; 
---

adwatwedata 11


Table 1. Provisional estimates of the percent of population with selected behaviors and knowledge from the 1985 National Health


Interview Survey Supplement on Health Promotion and Disease Preventi on, by age and sex: United States, January-March 1985--Con.


ata are based on household interviews of the civilian noninstitutional ized population. The survey design, general


alifications, and information on the reliability of the estimates are given in technical notes.)
 a


Section 

and 

item 

number Health behaviors and knowledge 

U.1. 

U.2. 

U.3. 

U.4. 

U.5a. 

DENTAL CPJIE--Con.


This next question is about preventing tooth decay. After I


read each of the following, tell me if you think it is


definitely important, probably important, prubably not, or


definitely not important in preventing tooth decay Con.


Using fluoride toothpaste or fluoride mouth rinse


Important .....................................................


Not important.................................................


Don’tknow/No opinion .........................................


Avoiding between-meal sweets


hport.ant ....................................................


Not important.................................................


Don’tknow/No opinion .........................................


Now I‘m going to ask about preventing gum di’sease. In your


opinion, how important or not important is each of the


fol1owing in preventing gum disease?


Seeing a dentist regularly


Important..., .................................................


Not important .................................................


Don’tknow/No opinion .........................................


Orinking water with fluoride from early childhood


Important .....................................................


Not important .................................................


Don’tknow/No opinion .........................................


Regular brushing and flossing of the teeth


Iqortant .....................................................


Not important.................................................


Don’tknow/No opinion .........................................


Using fluoride toothpaste or fluoride mouth rinse


Important .....................................................


Not important.................................................


Don’t know/No opinion.........................................


Avoiding between-meal sweets


Important .....................................................


Not important.................................................


Don’tknow/No opinion .........................................


In your opinion, which of the following is the main cause of


tooth loss in children?


Tooth decay .....................................................


Gum disease .....................................................


Injury to the teeth .............................................


Don’t know ......................................................


In your opinion, which of the following is the main cause of


tooth loss in adults?


Tooth decay .....................................................


Gw disease .....................................................


Injury to the teeth.............................................


Oon’t know......................................................


Have you ever heard of dental sealants? (Yes).....................


Age Sex


All 18-29 30-44 45-64 65 years


ages years years years and over Male Female 

Percent of population


90 97 94 86 76 90 90 

4 2 5 4 

6 1 ; 9 1: 7 ; 

90 90 92 90 83 89 90 

6 8 6 5 6 7 5 

4 1 2 5 11 4 4 

96 97 97 95 92 95 96 

2 2 2 3 3 1 

2 1 1 3 ; 2 2 

66 74 67 62 54 64 67 

17 18 19 17 19 

17 8 13 21 :; 18 :? 

96 98 98 95 92 96 97 

1 1 

! 1 1 : ; : ; 

78 86 78 73 71 76 80 

12 10 15 12 13 10 

11 4 8 14 2; 11 11 

81 84 81 80 78 80 82 

12 13 13 11 13 10 

7 3 5 9 1: 7 7 

58 54 57 61 60 55 60


8 8 7 9 9 7


30 36 35 26 18 :; 30


4 1 2 4 13 4 4


40 40 37 40 41 38 

55 55 60 55 : 53 57 

3 2 3 3 2 

: 1 1 : 10 3 3 

23 20 30 23 14 22 23 

See footnotes at end of table.

12 achmncedata


Table 1. Provisional estimates of the percent of population with selected behaviors and knowledge from the 1985 National Health 

Interview Survey Supplement on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention, by age and sex: United States, January-March 1985--Con. 

(Data are based on household interviews of the civilian noninstitutionalized population. The survey design, general 

qualifications, and information on the reliabi1ity of the estimates are given in technical notes.) � 

Age Sex


Section


and


itern Al1 18-29 3D-44 45-64 65 years


number Health behaviors and knowledge ages years years years and over Male Female


OCCUPATIONAL SAFETY AND HEALTH Percent of population 

V.la. In your present job, are you exposed to any substances that 

could end nger your health, such as chemicals, dusts, fums 

or gases?q (Currently employed persons) (Yes)..................... 36 36 37 34 18 45 24 

V.2a. In your present job, are you exposed to any work conditions 

that COU1d endanger your health, such as loud noise, extreme 

heat or cold, physical or mental stress, or radiation?3 

(Currently employed persons) (Yes)................................ 37 36 41 33 15 43 29 

V.3a. In your p esent job are you exposed to any risks of accidents or 

injuries?$ (Currently employed persons) (Yes).................... 41 44 41 38 34 52 27 

lNational Center for Health Statistics, C. A. Schoenborn, and K. M. Danchik: Health Practices Among Adults: United States, 1977. 

Advance Data From Vital and Health Statistics. No. 64. DHEW Pub. No. (PHS) 78-1250. Public Health Service. Hyattsville, Md., 

NOV. 4, 1980. 

2National Center for Health Statisties, A. J. Moss and G. Scott: Characteristics of persons with hypertension, United States,


1974. Vital and Health Statistics. Series 10, No. 121. DHEW Pub. No. (PHS) 79-1549. Public Health Service. Washington. U.S.


Governmnt Printing flce, Dec. C978.


3National Center for Health Statistics, C. A. Schoenborn, K. M. Danchik, and J. Elinson: 8asic data from Wave I of the National 

Survey of Personnal Health Practices and Consequence, United States, 1979. Vital and Health Statistics. Series 15, No. 2. DHHS 

Pub. No. (PHS) 81-1163. Public Health Service. Washington. U.S. Government printing Office, Aug. 1981. 

4National 

United States. 

Center 

Vital 

for Health 

and Health 

Statistics, 

Statistics. 

B. Bloom 

Series 

and S. 

10, 

S. 

No. 

Jack: 

151. 

Persons 

DHHS Pub. 

with 

No. 

and 

(pHS) 

without 

85-1579. 

a regular source of medical care, �

5Natfonal Center for Health statistics, A. J . Moss and M. H. Wfl der: use of selected medical proceduresassociated with


preventive care, United States, 1973. Vital and Health Statistics. Series 10, No. 110. DHEW Pub. No. (HRA) 77-1538. Health


Resources Administration. Washington. U.S. Government Printing Office, Mar. 1977.


6National Center for Health Statistics, J. W. Choi: Exercise and Participation in Sports Among Persons 20 Years of Age and Over:


United States, 1975. Advance Data From Vital and Health Statistics. No. 19. DHEW pub. No. (pHS) 78-1250. public Health


Service. Hyattsville, Md., March 15, 19/8.


7National Center for Health Statistics: Health, United States, 1984. DHHS Pub. No. (PHS) 85-1232. Public Health Service.


Washington. U.S. Government Printing Office, Dec. 1984.

admmdab 13 

Technical notes 

Q The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) is a conUOUS,cross-sectional, nationwide survey conducted by 

usehold interview. Each week a probability sample of households is interviewed by personnel of the U.S. Bureau of the 

Census to obtain information on the health and other characteristics of each member of the household in the civilian noninstitutionalized population. 

During the first quarter of 1985, the sample consisted of 

approximately 9,250 households. The total noninterview rate 

was about 4 percent—about 3 percent of which was due to 

respondent refusal and the remainder primarily due to an inability to locate an eligible respondent at home after repeated 

calls. Information was obtained for all household members for 

the core section of the questionnaire, although, for the Health 

Promotion and Disease Prevention Supplement, one adult per 

family was randomly selected as the respondent. This procedure 

resulted in an additional nonresponse rate of about 10 percent. 

About 8,350 supplements were completed. A description of 

the survey design, methods used in estimation, and general 

qualifications of the NHIS data is provided in The National 

Health Interview Suruey Design, 19 73–84, and Procedures, 

1975-83 (see pp. 8-9).3 

3Nation~cen~rforHealth statistics, M. G. Kovar end G. S PIX me Nation~ 

Health Interview Survey Design, 1973-84, and Procedures, 1975-83. Vital 

and Health Statistics. Series 1, No. 18. D“HHS Pub. No. (PHS) 85–1 320. 

eublic Health Service. Washington. U.S. Governrnent Printing OffIce, Aug. 

85. 

The estimates shown in this report are based on a sample 

of the civilian noninstitutionalized population rather than on 

the entire population and are therefore subject to sampling error. 

Some tables in this report contain cells in which the estimate is 

small for a given characteristic. When an estimate or the numerator or denominator of a rate is small, the sampling error 

may be relatively high. The estimated population for each of 

the demographic categories presented in this report is given in 

table I. Approximate standard errors of estimates are shown in 

table II. 

To expedite the ea$y release of data from the Health 

Promotion and Disease Prevention Supplemen~ it was processed 

separately from the NHIS core questionnaire. Thus the supplement has not been linked as yet with the core data. In addition, 

since there were also major changes in the sample design in 

1985, both the estimates of behaviors and knowledge and the 

standard errors of the estimates shown in table II are provisional and will be modified when the final estimates based on 

the linked core are released. 

Table I. Provisional estimatea of the civilian noninstitutionalized population by age and sex: United States, January-March 1985 

Age 

Sex 

All 18–29 30-44 45-64 65 years 

Selected populations ages years years years and over Male Female 

Population in thousands 

Total adult population . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 170,302 48,524 50,463 44,476 26,839 80,461 89,840 

Females . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 89,840 24,856 25,882 23,284 15,818 89,840 

Population in familias with children under 10 years of age : . . . . . . . . . 42,318 16,396 22,412 3,134 375 18,350 23,968 

Population in families with children under 5 yaars of age. . . . . . . . . . . . 26,064 13,256 11,425 1,251 132 11,634 14,430 

Currently employed population . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 105,292 33,333 40,089 28,887 2,983 57,938 47,355 
14 ackamedata


Table 11. Standard errors, expressed in percentage points. of estimeted percents for selected age and sex groups from the 1985 National 

Health Interview Survey Supplement on Health Promotion and Disease Prevention: United States, January-March 1985 

Age 

Estimated percent 

All 

ages 

78-29 

years 

30–44 

years 

45-64 65 years andove, 

years 

&

Standard error in percentage points 

5or 95 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.26 0.50 0.48 0.53 0.60 0.40 0.34 

100r 90 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.36 0.69 0.65 0.73 0.83 0.55 0.47 

150r85 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.43 0.82 0.78 0.87 0.99 0.65 0.56 

200r80 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0,48 0.92 0.87 0.97 1.11 0.73 0.63 

250r 75 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.52 1.00 0.95 1.05 1.20 0.79 0.68 

300r 70 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.55 1.06 1.00 1.11 1.27 0.84 0.72 

350r 65 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.57 1.10 1.04 1.16 1.32 0.87 0.75 

400r 60 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.59 1.13 1.07 1.19 1.36 0.90 0.77 

450r 55 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.60 1.15 1.09 1.21 1.38 0.91 0.79 

500r 50 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0.60 1.15 1.09 1.21 1.38 0.92 0.79 
16 acklncedata 

Recent 1ssues of Advance Data From Wtal and Health Statistics 

No. 112. 1984 Summary: National Hospital Discharge Survey (Ia- No. 109. Hospital Use by Children: United States, 1983 (Issued 

sued Sept. 27, 1985) May 23, 1985) 

No. 111. An Overview of the 1982 National Master Facility Inven- No. 108. Wanted and Unwanted Childbearing United State9 

tory Survey of Nursing and Related Care Homes (Issued September 1973-82 (Issued May 9, 1985) 

1985) 

No. 110. Office-Based Ambulatory Care for Patients 

and Over: National Medical Care Survey, 1980 and 

August 1985) 

Suggested citation 

National Center for Health Statistics: Provisional 

Data from the Health Promotion and Diseaae 

Prevention Supplement to the National Health 

Interview Survey: United Statea, January-March 

1985, Advance Data From Vital and Health 

Statistics. No. 113. DHHS Pub. No. (PHS) 

86-1250. Public Health Service, Hyattsville, 

Md., NOV. 15, 1985. 

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND 

HUMAN SERVICES 

Public Health Servica 

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