Available NHANES Datasets

Quick Start

library(nhanesdata)

# Load demographics data
demo <- read_nhanes('demo')

# Search for variables
term_search('blood pressure')

Easter Egg: Mortality Linkage Data

The package includes harmonized NHANES-linked mortality data accessible via read_nhanes("mortality"). This dataset links NHANES participants to death certificate records from the National Death Index (NDI), enabling survival analysis and mortality risk studies.

Key features:
* Follow-up through December 31, 2019
* Cause-specific mortality (ICD-10 codes)
* Person-months of follow-up
* Vital status and mortality flags

Important: Mortality linkage requires understanding of survey weights, censoring, and survival analysis methods. Always consult the NCHS data linkage documentation and the NHANES analytic guidelines before analyzing mortality outcomes.

See the Public-Use Linked Mortality Files for methodology and variable definitions.

Categories

Questionnaire/Interview Tables - Self-reported data from participant interviews

Examination Tables - Physical measurements and laboratory results

Notes

• All datasets span multiple survey cycles (1999-2023)
• Each includes year and seqn columns for merging
• Data types are harmonized across cycles
• Variable names match CDC documentation

For detailed variable information, use term_search() or visit the CDC NHANES website.

Warning: CDC may change data periodically. The data was aggregated as best as possible to reconcile variable types that changed across cycles. ALWAYS reference the CDC documentation with nhanesdata::get_url(dataset)!

See get_url() documentation.