The National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) is a national study of functioning in later life. The NHATS is being conducted by the Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, with data collection by Westat, and support from the National Institute on Aging. NHATS provides a basis for understanding trends and trajectories in late-life functioning, how these differ for various population subgroups, and the economic and social consequences of aging and disability for individuals, families, and society. More information about NHATS including copies of the instruments and documentation are available online at
The NHATS encourages researchers to propose brief supplemental data collection modules for inclusion in an upcoming wave of the survey. This announcement invites submission of supplemental modules to be included in the 2013 wave of the NHATS.
Modules should be brief, no more than 3 minutes in length. We anticipate including 3 to 5 modules at each wave. Sample size available for a module will vary depending on the number of modules included in a wave but will generally include approximately 2,500 individuals. Modules are administered at the end of the NHATS interview.
In general, sample persons will be randomly assigned to modules in advance of the interview. Sample persons will be assigned to one module only. Submissions for proposed modules should include the following:
Brief summary of the topic and rationale for its inclusion in NHATS (one page or less)
Sample size being requested
Overview of variables that the module will try to measure
References to recent publications on the topic
Any survey instruments, scales or other measurement tools that have been used to examine the topic (if any) The NHATS leadership team will select modules and identify a team member to work in partnership with researchers whose modules are selected to develop the module for administration. Proposals should be sent by May 15, 2012 to NHATS electronically at jkasper@jhsph.edu. Selected modules will be notified by June 1, 2012. The module must be in final form by July 1, 2012. If you have any questions, please contact the Principal Investigator, Judy Kasper, at
