Description

For sample adults age 18 and over, this variable indicates if the respondent was ever told by a doctor or other health professional that they had cirrhosis or any kind of long-term liver condition. Prior to 2020, the questionnaire text does not explicitly mention cirrhosis. In 2020 only, LIVERCHRON is only asked of sample adults interviewed in quarter 3 or 4. The question for this variable was asked following a series of questions on whether the respondent received certain vaccines for the flu, hepatitis, tetanus and shingles. A similar variable, (LIVERCONYR) was asked during the section of the interview on adult conditions. LIVERCONYR identifies sample adults who were diagnosed with "any kind of liver condition" during the past 12 months.

For 2000 forward, sample adults were separately asked if they ever had hepatitis (HEPATEV), an inflammation of the liver caused by a virus.

Comparability

While the basic meaning of this variable is completely comparable over time, major questionnaire changes introduced in 2019 may affect comparability with earlier years. The NHIS questionnaire was substantially redesigned in 2019 to introduce a different data collection structure and new content. For more information on changes in terminology, universes, and data collection methods beginning in 2019, please see the user note.

In 2020, this question was only fielded beginning in quarter 3. Analysts will need to adjust the sampling weight to account for the limited collection period. For an example of how to do this, including sample code, please see the sampling weight adjustment section of the Variance Estimation User Note.

Universe

Availability

• 2008-2018, 2020-2021

Weights

• 2008-2018, 2020-2021 : SAMPWEIGHT