Telephone coverage and measurement of health risk indicators: Data from the National Health Interview Survey

Abstract

Objectives. This study compared health behavior variables for all US households and households with telephones to measure the potential impact of telephone coverage on estimates from telephone surveys. Methods. Data were derived from the 1991 through 1994 versions of the National Health Interview Survey. Results. Ninety-five percent of respondents lived in households with telephones. Differences in health indicators were small (<1%) in comparisons between all households and those with telephones. Results were similar when only respondents below the poverty level were included. Conclusions. Telephone noncoverage effects appear to be small, supporting the use of telephone surveys for health risk behavior surveillance with most population groups.