Comparability — Canada [top]

In all Canadian samples (2005-forward), the respondent was asked to respond to the question:

In general, would you say your health is:
Excellent
Very good
Good
Fair
Poor

The codes "Excellent" and "Very good" are combined and coded as "Very Good" in the MTUS.

Comparability — Finland [top]

In 1979, the diarist is classified as having "poor" health if his or her illness "limits everyday life", "fair health" if he or she has "recurring symptoms" or is "diagnosed with a chronic illness", and "good" health if he or she responds "none of the above".

Comparability — France [top]

In 2009, the respondent was asked to respond to the "General state of their health" and had the response options:

Very good
Good
Fairly good
Bad
Very bad

The response options "Bad" and "Very Bad" were combined and coded as "Poor" in the MTUS. The response option "Fairly good" was coded as "Fair" in the MTUS.

Comparability — Spain [top]

In Spain 2002-forward, the source data distinguish between "bad" and "very bad", which are combined and coded as "poor" in the MTUS. The question is asked as following for all Spain samples:

Cual es, en general, su estado de salud? (How, in general, is the state of your health?) -
Muy bueno
Bueno
Aceptable
Malo
Muy malo

Comparability — United Kingdom [top]

In 1983 and 1987, HEALTH is derived from a health satisfaction scale which ranges from 0 to 10, where 10 is very satisfied with one's health. Respondents whose health satisfaction was 0-2 were coded as 'poor'; health satisfaction values from 3-5 were coded as 'fair'; health satisfaction values from 6-8 were coded as 'good'; health satisfaction values from 9-10 were coded as 'very good.'

Comparability — United States [top]

In 1975, the respondent is asked "Compared to other people your age, would you say that your health is excellent, good, fair or poor?" The code "excellent" is comparable to the MTUS code "very good."

In the ATUS samples (2006-2008, 2010-2016, 2021-2023), HEALTH reports the respondent's general assessment of his or her own health. The codes "Excellent" and "Very good" are combined and coded as "Very Good" in the MTUS.

In 2006-2008 and 2014-2016, general health data was collected in the Eating and Health Module portion of the ATUS interview. The question posed in these years was:

In general, would you say that your physical health is Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, or Poor?

In 2010, 2012, and 2013, general health data were collected in the Well-being Module portion of the ATUS interview. The question posed in these years was:

In general, would you say that your health is excellent, very good, good, fair, or poor?

In 2011, general health data was collected in the Leave Module portion of the ATUS interview. The question posed in 2011 was:

Finally, I have a couple of questions about your health. Would you say your health in general is excellent, very good, good, fair, or poor?