Early Release of Selected Estimates Based on Data From January-September 2018 National Health Interview Survey

Questions for Lead Author Tainya C. Clarke, Ph.D., M.P.H., Health Statistician, of “Early Release of Selected Estimates Based on Data From January-September 2018 National Health Interview Survey.”

Q: What exactly is an MSA?

TC: According the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), a Metropolitan Statistical Area is where one or more adjacent counties or county equivalents have at least one urban center/core area with a population of at least 50,000, plus adjacent territory that has a high degree of social and economic integration with the center as measured by commuting ties.

Q: What do the findings in this report tell us about the health of the country overall?

TC: Americans are exercising more in their leisure (spare) time, yet the prevalence of obesity and diabetes is increasing.

Q: Are there any trends in this report that Americans should be concerned about?

TC: The prevalence of obesity among U.S. adults aged 20 and over increased, from 26.4% in 2006 to 31.7% in January–September 2018 and the prevalence of diagnosed diabetes among adults aged 18 and over increased, from 7.8% in 2006 to 10.1% in January–September 2018.

Q: Why are women more likely to have diabetes compared with men?

TC: The National Health Interview survey does not collect information to answer this question.

You may learn about these reasons from speaking with a physician or a registered dietician.

Q: Why does diabetes increase with age?

TC: The National Health Interview survey does not collect information to answer this question.

You may learn about these reasons from speaking with a physician or a registered dietician.