Federal Health Survey Will Shrink by 2028
The federal government plans to halve the number of questions in its long-running National Health Interview Survey.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in COVID-19
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By 2028, the National Health Interview Survey will transition to a streamlined format containing roughly 200 to 225 questions. The update reflects a shift away from exclusively in-person interviews toward online and paper-based survey participation.
Why it matters
Rising operational costs and declining response rates have necessitated a redesign of the $40 million annual project. The changes also help the Census Bureau prepare its data collection platforms for the 2030 census.
The National Health Interview Survey, which has operated since 1957, currently poses 490 health questions to 30,000 households annually. The government plans to reduce this count to between 200 and 225 questions by 2028.
The players
Census Bureau
This federal agency is responsible for conducting the nation's census and collecting demographic and health-related data.
The details
The Census Bureau will shift to mailing invitations for online or paper responses to improve engagement while maintaining a smaller, targeted round of in-person visits. The redesign aims to shorten the time required for participants to complete the survey to approximately 30 minutes.
Timeline
The National Health Interview Survey began in 1957.
A notice regarding the redesign appeared in the Federal Register in August 2026.
The public comment period for the survey ends on October 20, 2026.
The new survey questionnaire will be implemented in 2028.
The Census Bureau will conduct the national census in 2030.
The Big Picture
The survey redesign serves as a foundational step in reconfiguring data collection platforms in anticipation of the 2030 census.
As the survey shifts to online and mail-in formats, participants may find it easier and faster to complete health assessments. These changes aim to ensure more consistent data collection without the previous time burden of nearly 500 questions.
The takeaway
The streamlining of this long-standing survey signals a broader government effort to modernize data collection amidst changing public response trends. Residents invited to participate in future cycles can expect a more efficient, 30-minute interview process.
What happens next
The public comment period for the proposed survey redesign is currently open and will conclude on October 20, 2026.
Further reading
Learn more about the latest developments in public health data at United States COVID-19.
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