The NLSY97 collects information on the general health status of respondents in all rounds, and in several rounds, height and weight. More detailed questions on chronic conditions and functional limitations were asked in rounds 6, 11-13, and 16, with parent-reported health information collected in round 1. Age-specific health modules were introduced in round 13 for respondents turning 29 years of age and in round 19 for those turning 38-39 years of age, covering physical and mental health, limitations, preventive care, and health expectations. A brief COVID‑19 supplement was fielded in 2021 with additional coronavirus questions asked in rounds 20 and up. Select rounds also provided data on respondents' Health Practices and Knowledge.

• General health
  • Height and weight, handedness, puberty
• Health conditions
  • Chronic conditions and disability, chronic pain and pain medication
• Medical visits and treatment
  • Routine checkups, medical treatment due to injury or illness, workplace-related injuries and illnesses
• COVID‑19
• Health-at-Age-29
• Health-at-Age-38/39
• Parent Questionnaire (round 1)

General health

In all survey rounds, respondents were asked to rate their general health as excellent, very good, good, fair, or poor. In the Parent Questionnaire (round 1), the responding parent was asked to assess both the youth’s general health and their own general health using the same response scale.

Height and weight

In all survey rounds, respondents are asked to report their weight. In rounds 1-15 of the self-administered section, youths further described their weight (such as very underweight, slightly underweight, about the right weight, slightly overweight, or very overweight) and their current weight strategy (such as lose weight, gain weight, stay the same weight, or do nothing related to weight). The respondents provided their height in rounds 1-15.

In the Parent Questionnaire (round 1), the responding parent was asked to report their height and weight as well as the approximate height and weight of the youth's nonresponding biological parent.

Handedness

In round 5, respondents reported whether they were left-handed, right-handed, or used both hands equally well. Round 15 asked a series of questions determining the degree to which respondents were left-handed or right-handed, with respondents indicating which hand they used for activities, such as writing, throwing, brushing teeth, using a knife, and holding a hammer (YTEL-85~).

Puberty

In rounds 1-12 of the self-administered, respondents were asked a set of puberty onset questions. Rounds 1-12 asked males if they experienced signs of physical changes and how old they were when these changes began. Rounds 1-10 asked females if they had a menstrual period, when it began, and how old they were when it began.

Health conditions

Chronic conditions and disability

In rounds 6, 11-13, and 16, respondents were asked whether they had ever been diagnosed with a chronic condition or disability. Follow-up items included an extensive series of questions covering physical, genetic, mental, and emotional conditions. Respondents reported whether they had experienced any such conditions (e.g., blindness, hearing loss, diabetes, heart conditions, asthma, epilepsy, cancer, or eating disorders), the age at which each condition was first noticed, and the extent to which the condition limited their activities.

In rounds 11 and up, respondents were also asked if they were limited in the kind and amount of work they do because of their health.

In the Parent Questionnaire (round 1), the responding parent reported any past or present medical condition(s) that limited the youth's ability to attend school regularly, complete regular schoolwork, or work at a paid job. The survey specifically asked whether the youth suffered from any of the following:

• Chronic health condition or life-threatening disease
• Learning disability
• Part of body missing or deformed
• Physical, emotional, or mental condition
• Trouble seeing, hearing, or speaking

For each reported condition, the responding parent indicated the youth’s age when the condition was first noticed and whether the youth was currently limited by the condition. 

Chronic pain and pain medication

In round 19, respondents answered a short series of questions about chronic pain. Two items asked whether they had suffered from chronic pain due to an illness or medical condition in the past 30 days and how often they experienced it (all the time, every day, most days, or some days). Additional questions asked whether respondents had taken pain medication in the past 30 days, whether the medication was prescription or over-the-counter, and whether they had ever used prescribed medication in a manner not directed. The pain medication questions were repeated in round 21.

Medical visits and treatment

Routine checkups

In rounds 6 and 7, respondents were asked how long it had been since their last doctor visit for a routine checkup, with response options of within the past year, 1 to 2 years ago, 2 to 5 years ago, more than 5 years ago, or never. Beginning in round 8, the question asked whether respondents had visited a doctor for a routine checkup in the past twelve months.

Medical treatment due to injury or illness

In round 11 (and in rounds 12 or 13 for those who were not interviewed in round 11), respondents were asked whether they had stayed in a hospital for at least 24 hours for treatment of an illness or injury within the past five years, as well as the total number of nights spent hospitalized due to illness or injury. In round 16, the reference period was longer, and respondents were asked whether they had stayed in a hospital for at least 24 hours for treatment of an illness or injury within the past six years.

Workplace-related injuries and illnesses

Round 13 (and rounds 14 or 15 for respondents who were not interviewed in round 13) included questions about work-related injuries and illnesses experienced since the date of the last interview (YEMP‑INJ). Respondents reported the employer they were working for at the time, the month/year the injury occurred or illness began, the activity they were engaged in (employer-directed travel or training, meal break, rest break, personal business, normal work activity, or other), and the number of days absent from work, if any. Respondents were also asked whether the incident resulted in a temporary job reassignment, reduced work hours, job limitations, loss of wages, and the number of days required to resume regular duties. Additional questions collected details on workers’ compensation related to the incident, including whether a claim was submitted, benefits were received, or a claim meeting was pending.

Visit the Health Insurance page for information on the youth’s health insurance coverage.

COVID‑19

In 2021, questions addressing the impact of the coronavirus pandemic on respondents’ lives were introduced across two surveys. In spring 2021, a brief standalone COVID‑19 supplement was fielded, followed by round 20 of the traditional longitudinal survey in the fall. Both the supplement and round 20 included a range of COVID‑19-related questions covering impacts on employment, finances, and health. For more information on the spring 2021 supplement, see Appendix 14: NLSY97 COVID-19 Supplement.

In round 20, health questions asked whether respondents had ever tested positive for the coronavirus through a diagnosis by a health care provider, whether they had ever suspected being infected without medical confirmation, and whether they had received a coronavirus vaccine. In round 21, the questions asked whether respondents had ever tested positive through either a test or a diagnosis by a health care provider and whether they had received a coronavirus vaccine; vaccinated respondents were also asked how many vaccine doses they had received.

Health-at-Age-29

Beginning in round 13, respondents who had turned 29 since the previous interview were asked a series of questions to establish a baseline measure of health. Questions on family medical history included cancer, heart disease, asthma, high blood pressure and cholesterol, stroke, extensive family history of diabetes, and parental mortality.

Respondents were also asked about health-related limitations, including difficulties with moderate physical activities, climbing stairs, and social activities, as well as physical and emotional limitations affecting productivity. Additional questions assessed energy levels, mood, and preventive care and screening behaviors such as whether respondents had received a flu shot, cholesterol test, diabetes test, Pap smear, or blood pressure check within the past two years.

Table 1 lists the rounds in which Health-at-Age-29 data was collected. As of round 21, 738 respondents have not completed this series of questions.

Health-at-Age-38/39

Beginning in round 19, respondents who had turned 38 or 39 since the previous interview were asked an additional set of health-related questions. These questions gathered information on health expectations, including anticipated limitations on work activity over the next 10 years and expectations of living to age 75.

Respondents also reported on sleep patterns, including the average amount of sleep on workdays and non-workdays (in minutes or hours), as well as sleep quality indicators such as the frequency of difficulty falling asleep, waking during the night, waking too early in the morning, and feeling unrested after sleep. Additional sleep-related information is available in the Time Use section.

In addition, respondents completed the General Anxiety Disorder (GAD) scale, which is discussed in greater detail in the Mental Health section.

Table 2 lists the rounds in which Health-at-Age-38/39 data was collected. As of round 21, 1,779 respondents have not completed this series of questions.

Parent Questionnaire (round 1)

Additional information on the general health of the parent, the parent’s partner or spouse, and, in some cases, the youth’s absent biological parents is provided in the Parent Characteristics section.