A top national health survey began in King County last week.

Each year, approximately 7,000 randomly-selected residents in 15 counties across the nation have the opportunity to participate in the latest National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s National Center for Health Statistics.

“NHANES serves as the nation’s ‘health check-up,’ going into communities to get health information throughout the country,” said CDC Director Thomas Frieden. “The survey is a unique resource for health information, and without it we would lack important knowledge about major health conditions.”

Public health officials, legislators, and physicians use the information gathered in surveys to develop sound health policies, direct and design health programs and services, and expand the health knowledge for the nation. The survey captures data to identify and address health issues that will help everyone maintain independence and good health. In addition, national references are produced and standardized growth charts are created for pediatricians across the country to track children’s growth.