National health survey to collect data in St. Clair County

BELLEVILLE, Ill. (AP) - An influential national health and diet survey will collect information this spring from residents of St. Clair County in Illinois.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has selected the county as one of 15 counties for an annual survey.

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey uses in-person interviews and physical examinations to assess the health and nutritional status of Americans.

The Belleville News-Democrat reports (http://bit.ly/1mYv9n2) that households chosen to participate will get a letter in English and Spanish in the spring.

The letters will be followed by screening interviews and, for some, physical exams. The CDC expects about 340 people in St. Clair County to participate.

Information from the survey has influenced policies about health.

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Information from: Belleville News-Democrat, http://www.bnd.com