Canada and United States Joint Survey of Health 2002-2003

This one time interview survey was conducted November 2002 through March 2003 with additional interviews occurring in April and June of 2003. The same questionnaire (available in English, French, and Spanish) and methodology were used in both Canada and the United States to conduct the random telephone interview of people 18 years of age or older living in private dwellings. Approximately 3,500 Canadians and 5,200 Americans responded to questions about their physical and mental health status, chronic conditions and disabilities, use of health care services, and health habits such as smoking, exercise, and use of medication.

The questionnaire was designed with content from the Canadian Community Health Survey and the National Health Interview Survey to collect the same information in the same manner from residents of both countries. The intent of the survey was to gather data for comparison of the two countries' health care systems and access to and satisfaction with health services.