U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Increase the proportion of adults with dizziness or balance problems who have been referred to a specialist — HOSCD‑11 Data Methodology and Measurement

On this page:  About the National Data  |  Methodology  |  History

About the National Data

Data

Data Source:  National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), CDC/NCHS

Baseline: 70.7 percent of adults aged 18 years and over with moderate to severe balance or dizziness problems had seen a health care specialist in 2016

Target: 76.7 percent

Numerator
Number of adults aged 18 years and over for whom balance and dizziness is a moderate to severe problem who have seen a health care specialist.
Denominator
Number of adults aged 18 years and over for whom balance and dizziness is a moderate to severe problem.
Target-setting method
Minimal statistical significance
Target-setting method details
Minimal statistical significance, assuming the same standard error for the target as for the baseline.
Target-setting method justification
Trend data were not available for this objective. The standard error was used to calculate a target based on minimal statistical significance, assuming the same standard error for the target as for the baseline. This method was used because it was a statistically significant improvement from the baseline and the Healthy People 2030 Workgroup Subject Matter Experts expected the data to be difficult to change.

Methodology

Questions used to obtain the national baseline data

(For additional information, please visit the data source page linked above.)

From the 2016 National Health Interview Survey Hearing Health Supplement:

Numerator and Denominator:
DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, have you had a problem with dizziness or balance? Do not include times when drinking alcohol.
  1. YES
  2. NO
  3. Refused
  4. Don't know
This next question is about symptoms of dizziness or balance problems. Please tell me if you have had any of these problems in the past 12 months. Please say yes or no to each.
  1. A spinning or vertigo sensation, a rocking of yourself or your surroundings
  2. A floating, spacey, or tilting sensation
  3. Feeling lightheaded, without a sense of motion
  4. Feeling as if you are going to pass out or faint
  5. Blurring of your vision when you move your head
  6. Feeling off-balance or unsteady
  7. Refused
  8. Don't know
DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, which ONE of these feelings of dizziness or balance problems bothered you the most? [Read categories below.]
  1. Feeling a sense of spinning
  2. A floating or spacey feeling
  3. Feeling lightheaded
  4. Feeling like you are about to pass out
  5. Blurred vision
  6. Unsteadiness
  7. Refused
  8. Don't know
DURING THE PAST 12 MONTHS, how much of a problem was your dizziness or balance condition?
  1. NO PROBLEM
  2. A SMALL PROBLEM
  3. A MODERATE PROBLEM
  4. A BIG PROBLEM
  5. A VERY BIG PROBLEM
  6. Refused
  7. Don't know
Numerator:
Have you ever seen a doctor or other health care professional, except for in the emergency room, about your most bothersome dizziness or balance problem?
  1. YES
  2. NO
  3. Refused
  4. Don't know

Note: Types of doctors or health care specialists included:

  1. Cardiologist or doctor of internal medicine
  2. Ear, nose, and throat doctor
  3. Neurologist
  4. Eye doctor, optometrist, or ophthalmologist
  5. Podiatrist or foot doctor
  6. Psychiatrist, psychologist or social worker
  7. Occupational therapist, physical therapist, or rehabilitation specialist
  8. Radiologist or technician for MRI, CAT scan or ultrasound

Methodology notes

The denominator includes adults who responded "yes" to having a balance or dizziness problem in the past 12 months and who said it was a moderate, big, or very big problem. The numerator is comprised of adults who (i) responded "yes" to having a balance or dizziness problem in the past 12 months; (ii) who said it was a moderate, big, or very big problem; and (iii) who also responded "yes" to having been referred to or seen a health care professional in one of the listed specialties.

Age-adjustment notes

This Indicator uses Age-Adjustment Groups:

  • Total: 18-44, 45-64, 65-74, 75+
  • Sex: 18-44, 45-64, 65-74, 75+
  • Race/Ethnicity: 18-44, 45-64, 65-74, 75+
  • Educational Attainment: 25-44, 45-64, 65-74, 75+
  • Family Income (percent poverty threshold): 18-44, 45-64, 65-74, 75+
  • Family Type: 18-44, 45-64, 65-74, 75+
  • Country of Birth: 18-44, 45-64, 65-74, 75+
  • Disability Status: 18-44, 45-64, 65-74, 75+
  • Geographic Location: 18-44, 45-64, 65-74, 75+
  • Health Insurance Status: 18-44, 45-64
  • Marital Status: 18-44, 45-64, 65-74, 75+

History

Comparable HP2020 objective
Retained, which includes core objectives that are continuing from Healthy People 2020 with no change in measurement.