Codes and Frequencies
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Description
For sample adults who, without using special equipment, have at least a little difficulty with one or more functional activity (FLANY), and for whom some "other" mental problem not listed on the interviewer-provided flashcard was reported as a condition causing any activity limitation (FLMENTAL), FLMENTALC reports whether the condition status was chronic. An "other" mental problem was coded as chronic by the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) if it had lasted at least 3 months.
Definition of chronic condition
For the most part, conditions that have lasted 3 months or longer (or were diagnosed at least 3 months prior to the interview) are classified as "chronic" in the National Health Interview Survey. Those conditions that have lasted less than three months are generally considered "not chronic" (or acute). However, some conditions are considered "chronic" by definition, regardless of the length of time since diagnosis.
As the NHIS Survey Descriptions for 2002 forward explain:
Correspondence with the NCHS staff provided the further information that the following conditions were considered chronic regardless of the amount of time the person had the condition: arthritis/rheumatism; birth defect; cancer; diabetes; heart problem; hypertension; missing limb or finger; old age; mental retardation; senility; stroke; and other developmental problem. These "instant chronic" conditions might be treated and may not cause problems, but they do not actually disappear with time, as might be the case for other conditions, such as a bone fracture.
Universe
- 1998-2013; 2014 2015 2016 2017 2018: Sample adults age 18+ who have difficulty with activities due to other mental problem.
Availability
- 1998-2018
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Weights
- 1998-2018 : SAMPWEIGHT