Considerations for Returning Individual Genomic Results from Population-Based Surveys: Focus on the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey:

Population surveys collect information from participants by asking questions. Today, many surveys also collect biologic specimens that can be used to analyze a respondents DNA and other biomarkers. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) is a population survey that also administers a physical examination, collects biospecimens, and reports some test results (e.g., cholesterol levels) to the participant. While visiting communities large and small throughout the country, NHANES collects health and nutrition data from a representative sample of individuals through in-person interviews and health examinations that take place at special mobile examination centers. The examination component consists of medical, dental, and physiological examinations, as well as laboratory tests.