Overview

NHATS has two types of files available to researchers, which require approval before files can be accessed: sensitive files (including all NSOC files) and restricted files.

NSOC and other sensitive files require additional protection beyond what is implemented for public use data. Access to these data requires information about the researcher requesting the data and agreement to observe restrictions on cell sizes in publications and presentations from these data.

Restricted files contain data fields that pose additional risks of identifying participants. Access to these data are restricted to qualifying researchers who fulfill the additional requirements for restricted data access.

NSOC & Other Sensitive Files

NSOC & Other Sensitive Files

Sensitive data include all NSOC files, NHATS sensitive demographic files, NHATS dried blood spot file, and NHATS COVID-19 Family Members and Friends file.

NSOC Files

NSOC IV (2021)
Includes cross-sectional caregiver file and two tracker files indicating eligibility (one for caregivers and the other for NHATS sample persons).

NSOC III (2017)
Includes cross-sectional caregiver file and two tracker files indicating eligibility (one for caregivers and the other for NHATS sample persons), a longitudinal file and longitudinal tracker file for caregivers interviewed in 2015, and two time diary files (summary file and activity file).

NSOC II (2015)
Includes cross-sectional caregiver file and two tracker files indicating eligibility (one for caregivers and the other for NHATS sample persons).

NSOC I (2011)
Includes cross-sectional caregiver file and two tracker files indicating eligibility (one for caregivers and the other for NHATS sample persons).

NHATS Sensitive Demographic Files

Sample Person Files available for each round include month and year of birth, age in years, month and year of death, age in years at death (beginning in Round 2), types of cancer, race and primary race if more than one race reported for sample persons (at baseline interview), Hispanic subgroup for sample persons (at baseline interview), periods of service as a veteran (Rounds 1 and 5), month a marriage ended, year or age that the sample person came to live in the USA (at baseline interview), and month and year Social Security payments started (Rounds 1 and 5).

Other Person Files available each round include month and year of birth and age of spouse/partners, children, and household members. The Round 1 file also contains categorical age information for social network members.

NHATS Dried Blood Spot and Polygenic Scores Files

The DBS File contains the results of four assays (high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP), glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), Cytomegalovirus (CMV) and Interleukin (IL)-6) that were conducted in Round 7 to foster study of the biologic risk of disability progression. Variables related to eligibility and data collection also are included.

The PGS Files contain polygenic scores (PGSs) for a variety of phenotypes for NHATS respondents who provided dried blood spot-based DNA.

NHATS COVID-19 Family Members and Friends File

The COVID-19 FF File includes responses from family members or friends who helped the NHATS participant most during the COVID-19 outbreak. (The COVID-19 Sample Person (SP) file is available under Public Use Files.)

Application Process for NSOC & Other Sensitive Files

Application Process for NSOC & Other Sensitive Files

Complete & Sign

Complete & Sign

Submit Application

Submit Application

Receive Approval

Receive Approval

 

Complete and sign the required forms and documents in “Obtaining Sensitive Data from the National Health and Aging Trends Study ”.

 

Submit the application forms electronically to nhatsdata@westat.com using the subject heading: Sensitive Data Application.

 

Each application will be reviewed by NHATS. Once approval is granted, you will receive an approval notification email with instructions on how to access and download the sensitive data file(s) from the NHATS website.

Restricted Files

Restricted files include information made available by NHATS and NSOC, including geographic data and other linkages, and data made available by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS).

Restricted NHATS Files

NHATS restricted data files are available to approved users through a partnership with the Michigan Center on the Demography of Aging (MiCDA). Files include NHATS and NSOC geographic and distance files, 1940 Census linkages, restricted tracker files, open text about how COVID has affected SP’s life, and genetics files.

For more information about available files see "Obtaining National Health and Aging Trends Study Restricted Data from the NHATS Restricted Data Repository” and “Obtaining National Health and Aging Trends Study Restricted Genetics Data from the NHATS Restricted Data Repository.

Restricted CMS Files

Claims and assessment files, as well as Part D Event Files and Drug Characteristics Files, are available. For details, see "Obtaining Restricted CMS Data for the National Health and Aging Trends Study”.

Application Process for Restricted NHATS Files

Application Process for Restricted NHATS Files

Complete & Sign

Complete & Sign

Submit Application

Submit Application

Receive Approval

Receive Approval

For all NHATS Restricted files (except NHATS Restricted Genetics files), complete and sign the required forms and documents in "Obtaining National Health and Aging Trends Study Restricted Data from the NHATS Restricted Data Repository."  Submit the application forms electronically to nhats-restricted-data@umich.edu using the subject heading: Restricted Data Application. 

For NHATS Restricted Genetics files, review the instructions in “Obtaining National Health and Aging Trends Study Restricted Genetics Data from the NHATS Restricted Data Repository.” Obtain approval from NIAGADS and then send the required forms and documents to nhats-restricted-data@umich.edu using the subject heading: Restricted Genetics Data Application.

Each application will be reviewed by NHATS. Following notice of approval, a countersigned DUA will be provided by NHATS and access will be granted to the Michigan Center on the Demography of Aging (MiCDA) Virtual Data Enclave (VDE).

For information on minimizing disclosure risks and vetting requirements, see “ Minimizing Disclosure Risks when Using the NHATS Restricted Files in the MiCDA Enclave."

Application Process for Restricted CMS Files

Application Process for Restricted CMS Data Files

Application Process for Restricted CMS Files

Complete & Sign

Complete & Sign

Submit Application

Submit Application

Receive NHATS Approval

Receive NHATS Approval

Obtain NIA DUA

Obtain NIA DUA

Complete and sign the required forms and documents in "Obtaining Restricted CMS Data for the National Health and Aging Trends Study".

Submit the application forms electronically to nhats-cms-data@jh.edu using the subject heading: Restricted CMS Data Application.

Each application will be reviewed by NHATS. Following notice of approval, a countersigned DUA and approval letter will be provided by NHATS.

Obtain an NIA DUA by following the steps outlined at https://www.nia.nih.gov/research/dbsr/access-or-share-linkage-data.