These are broad, recurrent surveys that ask many questions, including some on health topics and on subjects that may correlate with health.
Current Population Survey (CPS)
A monthly survey of about 50,000 households conducted by the Census Bureau for the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The survey has been conducted for more than 50 years and is the primary source of information on the labor force characteristics of the U.S. population. [Edited excerpt from "Overview" on the Current Population Survey web site,]
The General Social Survey (GSS) contains both a standard core of demographic, behavioral, and attitudinal questions, and a second group of questions on special topics that are not asked every year. This survey has been periodically conducted in the United States since 1972, and the cumulative dataset will provide respondents from all survey years.
A subset of the GSS is available here as a ZIP archive. This subset mostly includes only questions that were included every year or almost every year. The ZIP archive contains the dataset in both text file and R Workspace formats, a codebook written for this subset in markdown, and an HTML version of the codebook. All missing values are denoted by NA in the dataset,
You may also choose and download alternative variables by using the Survey Documentation and Analysis interface, instructions to which are provided at right.
[Excerpted from the GSS website]
The General Social Survey (GSS) began in 1972, designed to be "a high-quality, unbiased, and easily accessible public opinion survey that cataloged America’s thoughts, feelings, and opinions over time. That instrument, the General Social Survey, is now among NORC’s signature projects. Over five decades, the GSS has compiled data from thousands of Americans about their evolving characteristics and attitudes."
"Previously administered every year and now more recently conducted every two years, NORC interviews a representative sample of Americans about a range of topics. The questions address belief in God, confidence in government institutions, race relations, abortion, spending patterns, gun rights, social isolation—even pet ownership."
Since 1972, the General Social Survey (GSS) has been monitoring societal change and studying the growing co
GSS Cumulative File Subset (1972-2012) [be sure to download the entire zip archive]
If you wish to download your own variables, follow these steps below.
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