Codes and Frequencies
Description
WALKDIF1BL1 reports the level of difficulty the respondent faces (if any) when walking without the use of aids for 100 yards on level ground (which is equivalent to the length of one football field or one city block).
This variable was first introduced in 2010 as part of the Quality of Life supplement and was included in that supplement through 2017. In 2018, this item was included on the sample adult questionnaire. Beginning in 2019, WALKDIF1BL1 was separated into two questions, one for respondents who used equipment or received help for getting around and one for respondents who did not use equipment or receive help for getting around. For respondents who used equipment to get around, the question was prefaced with "Without the use of your aid." Both questions were included on the sample adult and sample child questionnaires.
The Washington Group on Disability Statistics
In 2019, functioning and disability measures included on the NHIS questionnaire were modified to align with validated, internationally-comparable disability measures developed by the Washington Group on Disability Statistics (WG). For more information about the WG initiative, other WG functioning and disability measures included on the NHIS questionnaire, and guidance for researchers about how to use the WG measures in analyses, please see our user note on the Washington Group Disability Measures.
Comparability
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. In 2018, this item was included on the sample adult questionnaire and beginning in 2019 was included on both the sample adult questionnaire and sample child questionnaire. As always, data users should use the prescribed IPUMS NHIS weights.
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
- 2010: Sample adults who were selected to receive the Quality of Life (QOL) Supplement (approximately 1/4 of sample adults) who did not use equipment or receive help or refuse or don't know if they use any equipment or receive help with walking, climbing steps, or moving around, OR use equipment or help but do not use a wheelchair.
- 2011: Sample adults who were selected to receive the Adult Functioning and Disability (AFD) Supplement who did not use equipment or receive help or refuse or don't know if they use any equipment or receive help with walking, climbing steps, or moving around, OR use equipment or help but do not use a wheelchair or scooter.
- 2012: Sample adults who were asked the family disability questions, were selected to receive the Adult Functioning and Disability (AFD) Supplement and did not use any equipment or receive help with getting around, or refused to answer or didn't know if they used equipment or received help getting around, OR who used equipment or received help but did not use a wheelchair or scooter.
- 2013-2017: Sample adults who were asked the family disability questions, were selected to receive the Adult Functioning and Disability (AFD) Supplement, and did not use any equipment or receive help with getting around, or refused to answer or didn't know if they used equipment or received help getting around, or did not use a wheelchair or scooter.
- 2018: Sample adults age 18+ who did not use equipment or receive help with getting around or refused or didn't know if they used equipment or received help getting around or do not use a wheelchair or scooter.
- 2019-2023: Sample adults age 18+ and sample children age 5 to 17.
Availability
- 2010-2023
Weights
- 2018-2023 : SAMPWEIGHT
- 2010-2017 : SUPP1WT
