Description

For sample adults who were employed, AREAWORK describes the environment that they typically work in. Response options include working mainly indoors, shared or private office, cubicles with full or mid-height partitions, working mainly outdoors, working in a motor vehicle, traveling to different sites, working in a classroom, working in an open area, or having no regular work area. Researchers who are solely interested in whether the sample adult worked primarily indoors or outdoors should refer to AREAWORKMAJR.

AREAWORK was part of a number of supplements in the 1990's and was included in the sample adult questionnaire in 2000. The supplements aimed to assess adult disease prevention, and included the health promotion and disease prevention supplement (1991), cancer control (1992), Year 2000 (1993 and 1994), and sample adult prevention (1998). For related variables and more information, please use the IPUMS NHIS search function and drop-down menus.

Comparability

Changes in the response categories and the universe affect comparability over time. In 1992 and 1991, AREAWORK provides response categories that reflect specific aspects of the indoor work environment, whereas for 1993 forward, indoor work is captured by a single category. See Codes tab for more detail. In addition, prior to 1998, AREAWORK was asked for persons employed in the past two weeks, whereas for 1998 forward, it was asked for persons employed in the last week.

Changes in survey design (e.g., quarters in which the supplement was collected) may affect raw frequencies, but do not affect comparability of the variable. As always, data users should use the prescribed IHIS weights.

Universe

Availability

• 1991-1994, 1998, 2000

Weights

• 1991-1992, 1998, 2000 : SAMPWEIGHT
• 1993-1994 : SUPP2WT