Codes and Frequencies
Description
For sample adults who were ever told by a doctor or other health professional that they had diabetes (other than during pregnancy) (DIABETICEV), DIA1CKNOW reports answers to the question, "Have you ever heard of glycosylated hemoglobin [gli-KOS-ilated he-mo-glo-bin] or hemoglobin 'A one C'?"
The hemoglobin A1C test is a blood test, generally performed in a lab, which provides information about how high an individual's blood sugar level has been over the past 3 months. The test builds upon the fact that sugar absorbed from the digestive system circulates in the bloodstream, and, when blood sugar is high, it attaches to the hemoglobin protein in red blood cells, forming hemoglobin A1C. Because red blood cells live 90 to 120 days, hemoglobin A1C stays in the blood for 3 to 4 months and indicates how well individuals have controlled their blood sugar over the past 3 months.
Adult diabetics were presumably asked whether they had heard of the hemoglobin A1C test as a filter for determining who could provide meaningful answers to questions about the test.
Related Variables
Those responding affirmatively to DIA1CKNOW were asked a follow-up question about how many times a doctor, nurse, or other health professional had checked them for hemoglobin A1C in the past 12 months (DIA1CEXAMYR).
In 2003 only, those who had their hemoglobin A1C tested at least once in the past 12 months were asked what their last known hemoglobin A1C level was (DIA1CLEVEL) and what it should be, according to their doctor, nurse, or other health professional (DIA1CSAFE).
Other diabetes-related questions were periodically included in the survey; see DIABETICEV for a summary of these variables currently in the IPUMS NHIS.
Universe
- 1989: Adults age 18+ who were ever told they had diabetes (other than during pregnancy).
- 1999; 2003: Sample adults age 18+ who were ever told they had diabetes (other than during pregnancy).
Availability
- 1989, 1999, 2003
Weights
- 1989 : PERWEIGHT
- 1999, 2003 : SAMPWEIGHT
