Description

For sample persons over age 18, this variable indicates if the respondent ever had "yellow jaundice". The condition did not have to be diagnosed by a doctor or health professional, and a definition for "yellow jaundice" was not provided in the survey text or in the Field Representative's Manual . According to the National Library of Medicine, jaundice is "a yellow color in the skin, mucus membranes, or eyes. The yellow pigment is from bilirubin, a byproduct of old red blood cells. Jaundice is also a symptom of other disorders."

Interviewers asked respondents to report if they EVER had any of the 25 conditions, and respondents could indicate yes or no for as many as conditions necessary, but could not specify any "other" condition. (If the sample person reported a condition other than the one being asked about, interviewers re-asked the question to emphasize that they were only interested in the conditions listed on the survey).

Related Variables

In addition to JAUNDICEV, four other liver conditions were included in the 1983 survey.

This condition was one of 25 health conditions included in the Alcohol and Health Practices module in the 1983 supplement. The Field Representative's Manual mentioned that the conditions included in the inquiry were those that were some of the most common conditions that "may be related in some way....to smoking, alcohol use, or other health practices." As described by the National Library of medicine, liver damage caused by alcoholism is one cause of jaundice.

Comparability

This variable has no comparability issues.

Universe

Availability

• 1983

Weights

• 1983 : SUPP1WT