DIA1CEXAMYR is a 3-digit-numeric variable.

53: 53+ times
996: NIU
997: Unknown-refused
998: Unknown-not ascertained
999: Unknown-don't know

Beginning in 2021, DIA1CEXAMYR codes are as follows:

1: 1 time
2: 2 times
3: 3 times
4: 4 times
5: 5 or more times
7: Unknown - Refused
8: Unknown - Not ascertained
9: Unknown – Don’t know

Description

For sample adults who were ever told by a doctor or other health professional that they had diabetes (other than during pregnancy) (DIABETICEV), and who reported that they had heard of glycosylated hemoglobin or hemoglobin A1C (DIA1CKNOW), DIA1CEXAMYR reports responses to the question, "During the past 12 months, how many times has a doctor, nurse, or other health professional checked you for glycosylated hemoglobin or hemoglobin 'A one C'?". Starting in 2021, this question was only asked to sample adults 18 and over who had their A1C checked in the past 12 months (DIALASTA1C).

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 American Diabetes Association recommends that diabetics have the hemoglobin A1C test performed every 3 months.

In 2003 only, those who reported having had at least 1 hemoglobin A1C exam in the past 12 months were asked two follow-up questions: their last known A1C hemoglobin level (DIA1CLEVEL) and what their health professional said their hemoglobin A1C level should be (DIA1CSAFE).

Other diabetes-related questions were periodically included in the survey; see DIABETICEV for a summary of these variables currently in the IPUMS NHIS.

Comparability

This variable is completely comparable between 1999 and 2003. Comparability with samples after 2019 may be affected by changes to the universe over time and the 2019 questionnaire redesign.

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 addition to the changes identified above, there are also changes in the top coded value over time. Before 2021, responses of up to 53 times were recorded and the number of visits was top-coded at 53 or more. Beginning in 2021, the number of visits was top-coded at 5 or more.

Universe

Availability

• 1999, 2003, 2021, 2023

Weights

• 1999, 2003, 2021, 2023 : SAMPWEIGHT