Prevalence of selected chronic respiratory conditions, United States-1970.

Abstract

During 1970 the prevalence of chronic respiratory diseases among members of the civilian population not confined to institutions was measured in the Health Interview Survey. Prevalence estimates and measures of impact of these conditions on the population covered by the Survey are presented in this report. An earlier report on the prevalence of chrome respiratory conditions based on data collected in health interviews during July 1957-June 1958 was published in the series Health Statistics From the U.S. National Health Survey (Series B, Number 12). Methodological studies have shown that chronic conditions are generally underreported in interview surveys. Respondents in health interviews tend to report conditions of which they are aware and which they are willing to report to the interviewer. Reporting is better for those conditions which have made a significant impact on the affected individual and his family. Conditions that are severe or costly or require treatment tend to be better reported than conditions having lesser impact. For instance a condition which has caused limitation of activity, visits to the doctor, or days in bed is more likely to be reported in the interview than a condition which has little or no impact on the person.