Abstract
Background/Aims We will introduce researchers and administrators to the KP Northern California Member Health Survey Project (MHS) and illustrate how it has been used for research and to monitor population sociodemographic and health-related characteristics over time.
Methods This is a self-administered survey of independent stratified random samples of adults conducted every 3 years starting in 1993. Seniors and most race-ethnically diverse medical center service populations are oversampled. Survey data can be linked at the individual level to KP clinical, administrative, and utilization data, including kp.org use.
Results This Community Benefit-funded survey has been used to monitor KPNC member population characteristics over time, to facilitate research on the membership, and to contribute to community health needs assessment. The MHS captures information about sociodemographic characteristics, health and functional status, behavioral and psychosocial health risks, use of CAM and dietary supplements, IT access (Internet, email, and in 2011, mobile phone and text messaging), and health education modality preferences that is valuable for health research and service planning. Our sample facilitates study of race-ethnic and age group differences in these characteristics. While KPNC’s electronic data capture of member race/ethnicity and health characteristics has grown exponentially since the early 2000s, the Member Health Survey, based on self-reported information obtained from a stratified random sample of adult members, remains the most comparable source of KPNC population statistics to other surveys like the BRFSS, CHIS, and NHIS. We will use MHS data from 1993, 1996, 1999, 2002, 2005, 2008, and 2011 to show changes over time among 25–79 year olds in selected health behavior risk factors (smoking, obesity, exercise, dietary practices, stress, health beliefs), use of selected CAM modalties, and IT access; age and race-ethnic differences in health risk factors and CAM use; and age-related differences in IT access and preferences for IT-based health education. More information about the survey and survey results can be found at www.memberhealthsurvey.kaiser.org.
Conclusions Data and statistics from KPNC Member Health Surveys can be useful for researchers and administrators both within and outside KPNC for research and service planning.
