On this page: About the National Data | Methodology | History
About the National Data
Data
Data Source: National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), CDC/NCHS
Baseline: 63.5 percent of adults aged 45 to 75 years received a colorectal cancer screening based on the most recent guidelines in 2023
Target: 72.8 percent
Methodology
Questions used to obtain the national baseline data
From the 2021 National Health Interview Survey:
Numerator:
Have you ever had a blood stool or FIT test, using a HOME test kit?- Yes
- No
- Refused
- Don't know
- Within the past year (anytime less than 12 months ago)
- Within the past 2 years (1 year but less than 2 years ago)
- Within the past 3 years (2 years but less than 3 years ago)
- Within the past 5 years (3 years but less than 5 years ago)
- Within the past 10 years (5 years but less than 10 years ago)
- 10 years ago or more
- Refused
- Don't know
- Yes
- No
- Refused
- Don't know
- Colonoscopy
- Sigmoidoscopy
- Both
- Refused
- Don't know
- Within the past year (anytime less than 12 months ago)
- Within the past 2 years (1 year but less than 2 years ago)
- Within the past 3 years (2 years but less than 3 years ago)
- Within the past 5 years (3 years but less than 5 years ago)
- Within the past 10 years (5 years but less than 10 years ago)
- 10 years ago or more
- Refused
- Don't know
- Within the past year (anytime less than 12 months ago)
- Within the past 2 years (1 year but less than 2 years ago)
- Within the past 3 years (2 years but less than 3 years ago)
- Within the past 5 years (3 years but less than 5 years ago)
- Within the past 10 years (5 years but less than 10 years ago)
- 10 years ago or more
- Refused
- Don't know
- Yes
- No
- Refused
- Don't know
- Within the past year (anytime less than 12 months ago)
- Within the past 2 years (1 year but less than 2 years ago)
- Within the past 3 years (2 years but less than 3 years ago)
- Within the past 5 years (3 years but less than 5 years ago)
- Within the past 10 years (5 years but less than 10 years ago)
- 10 years ago or more
- Refused
- Don't know
- Yes
- No
- Refused
- Don't know
- Within the past year (anytime less than 12 months ago)
- Within the past 2 years (1 year but less than 2 years ago)
- Within the past 3 years (2 years but less than 3 years ago)
- Within the past 5 years (3 years but less than 5 years ago)
- Within the past 10 years (5 years but less than 10 years ago)
- 10 years ago or more
- Refused
- Don't know
Methodology notes
Healthy People 2030 uses the current U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) recommendation to measure this objective:
- Grade A: offer or provide this service for ages 50-75; and
- Grade B: offer or provide this service for ages 45-49.
The denominator does not include respondents with a history of colorectal cancer.
The baseline was updated based on the changes to the USPSTF recommendation for colorectal cancer, which was released in May 2021.
Age-adjustment notes
This indicator uses Age-Adjustment Groups:
- Total: 45-54, 55-64, 65-75
- Sex: 45-54, 55-64, 65-75
- Race/Ethnicity: 45-54, 55-64, 65-75
- Country of Birth: 45-54, 55-64, 65-75
- Geographic Location: 45-54, 55-64, 65-75
- Family Income: 45-54, 55-64, 65-75
- Educational Attainment: 45-54, 55-64, 65-75
- Marital Status: 45-54, 55-64, 65-75
- Disability Status: 45-54, 55-64, 65-75
- Sexual Orientation: 45-54, 55-64, 65-75
- Veteran Status: 45-54, 55-64, 65-75
- Health Insurance: 45-54,55-64
History
- Revised.
In 2023, due to the updated USPSTF recommendation, the 2019 NHIS survey redesign, and a revised denominator to exclude persons with a history of colorectal cancer, the baseline for this objective was changed from 65.2% in 2018 to 58.7% in 2021 and the target was changed from 74.4% to 68.3%.
- Revised.
In 2024, the following categories were recalculated with the use of a newer variable: Never married, American Indian or Alaska Native only, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander only, 2 or more races only, Not Hispanic or Latino American Indian or Alaska Native only, Not Hispanic or Latino Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander only, Not Hispanic or Latino 2 or more races only. Estimates from data year 2022 or earlier may vary slightly from estimates previously reported. The baseline, baseline year and target were not affected.
- Revised.
In 2024, to more accurately reflect the updated USPSTF recommendation, the baseline for this objective was changed from 58.7% in 2021 to 63.5% in 2023 and the target was changed from 68.3% to 72.8%.
1. Effect size h=0.2 was chosen to correspond with 20% improvement from a baseline of 50%.