Table 3:

Example Social History Survey Items in Most Common Categories and Responses by Category.

Original Survey Item	Survey Item Responses	Response Information
ALCOHOL USE
(BRFSS) During the past 30 days, what is the largest number of drinks you had on any occasion?	_ _ =Number of drinks; 77=DK/NS; 99=Refused	Largest <#> drinks on any occasion in past 30 days
(NHANES) During the past 30 days, on how many days did you have at least one drink of alcohol?	1= 0 days; 2= 1 or 2 days; 3= 3 to 5 days; 4= 6 to 9 days; 5= 10 to 19 days; 6= 20 to 29 days; 7= All 30 days; 77 = REFUSED; 99 = DON’T KNOW	<#> days of alcohol use of at least one drink in past 30 days
(NHIS) In the PAST YEAR, on how many DAYS did you have 5 or more drinks of any alcoholic beverage?	000 = Never; 001-365 = 1- 365 days; 997 = Refused; 999 = Don’t know	<#> days when drank ≥ 5 drinks in a day in past year
DRUG USE
(NHANES) Have you ever used cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, or methamphetamine?	1=Yes; 2=No; 7=Refused; 9=Don’t Know	You <have/have not> ever used cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin, or methamphetamine
(NHANES) Have you ever, even once, used a needle to inject a drug not prescribed by a doctor?	1=Yes; 2=No; 7=Refused; 9=Don’t Know	You <have/have not> ever used a needle to inject an unprescribed drug
OCCUPATION
(BRFSS) Thinking about the last time you worked, at your main job or business, how were you generally paid for the work you do? Were you:	1=Paid by salary; 2=Paid by the hour; 3=Paid by the job/task (e.g., commission, piecework); 4=Paid some other way; 7=DK/NS; 9=Refused	<Compensation type > with last time you worked at your main job
(NHANES) Which of the following {were you/was} {NON-SP HEAD/NON-SP SPOUSE} doing last week?	1 =Working at a job or business; 2 = With a job or business but not at work; 3 = Looking for work; 4 = Not working at a job or business; 7 = Refused; 9 = Don’t know	<Occupation status> of <you/NON-SP HEAD/NON-SP SPOUSE> last week
(NHIS) What is the main reason you did not work last week/What is the main reason you did not have a job or business last week?	01 = Taking care of house or family; 02 = Going to school; 03 = Retired; 04 = On a planned vacation from work; 05 = On family or maternity leave; 06 = Temporarily unable to work for health reasons; 07 = Have job/contract and off-season; 08 = On layoff; 09 = Disabled; 10 = Other; 97 = Refused; 99 = Don’t know	<Reason> for not working last week
PHYSICAL ACTIVITY
(BRFSS) When you are at work, which of the following best describes what you do? Would you say--If respondent has multiple jobs, include all jobs.	1=Mostly sitting or standing; 2=Mostly walking; 3=Mostly heavy labor or physically demanding work; 7=DK/NS; 9=Refused	<Predominant activity> at work
(BRFSS) On days when you do moderate activities for at least 10 minutes at a time, how much total time per day do you spend doing these activities?	_:_ _=Hours and minutes per day; 777=DK/NS; 999=Refused	On days of moderate activity, <#:## hr:minute duration> total time per day of moderate activity
RESIDENCE
(BRFSS) Do you own or rent your home? (Note: “Other arrangement” may include group home or staying with friends or family without paying rent.)	1=Own; 2=Rent; 3=Other arrangement; 7=DK/NS; 9=Refused	<Own/rent> home has <other arrangement>
(NHANES) In what state {were you/was NON-SP HEAD} born?	ENTER 2 LETTER STATE ABBREVIATION TO START THE LOOKUP	<you/NON-SP HEAD/NON-SP SPOUSE> born in <state>
TOBACCO USE
(BRFSS) Have you smoked at least 100 cigarettes in your entire life?	1=Yes; 2=No;7=DK/NS; 9=Refused	<Have/Have not> smoked ≥100 cigarettes in entire life
(NHANES) {Were/Was} the {BRAND REPORTED IN SMQ.660/brand of} cigarettes menthol or non-menthol?	1=Menthol; 2=Non Menthol; 7=Refused; 9=Don’t Know	<mentholated/non-mentholated/unknown> cigarette type
(NHIS) Do you NOW smoke cigarettes every day, some days or not at all?	1 = Everyday; 2= Some days; 3= Not at all; 7 = Refused; 9= Don’t know	Current <frequency > smoke cigarettes

DK/NS, don’t know/not sure. SP, spouse