Description

For sample adults and sample children aged 3 to 17, FELYR reports whether or not the person fell in the past 12 months. The question defines "fall" as "unexpectedly dropping to the floor or ground from a standing, walking, or bending position."

The universe for this question has changed extensively since it was first fielded in 1984. Please see the comparability and universe tabs to understand how changes in universe and survey design may affect analyses using this variable.

Prior to 2023, the question for this variable occurred as part of the Sample Adult Balance Supplement, sponsored by the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD). In 2023, the question for this variable occurred as part of the Sponsored Hearing section of the survey.

Comparability

Changes in the universe affect comparability over time. In early years, this variable focused on older adults, but was expanded in 2016 to include sample adults of all ages with no history of balance problems and in 2023 to include all sample adults and sample children. Detailed universe definitions for each sample year can be found on the universe tab.

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.

Universe

Availability

• 1984, 1991, 2016, 2023

Weights

• 1991 : PERWEIGHT
• 1984, 2016, 2023 : SAMPWEIGHT