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U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion

Increase the proportion of adults with smell or taste disorders who discuss the problem with a provider — HOSCD‑12 Data Methodology and Measurement

On this page:  About the National Data  |  Methodology  |  History

About the National Data

Data

Data Source:  National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), CDC/NCHS

Baseline: 18.5 percent of adults aged 18 years and over with smell or taste disorders had ever seen a health care provider about their disorder in 2021

Target: 20.4 percent

Numerator
Number of adults aged 18 years and over who report a problem with their sense of smell or sense of taste and who have ever discussed the problem with their ability to taste or smell with a health care provider.
Denominator
Number of adults, aged 18 years and over, who report a problem with their sense of smell or sense of taste.
Target-setting method
Minimal statistical significance
Target-setting method details
Minimal statistical significance, assuming the same standard error for the target as for the baseline.
Target-setting method justification
Trend data were not available for this objective. The standard error was used to calculate a target based on minimal statistical significance, assuming the same standard error for the target as for the baseline. This method was used because the target is statistically significant and represents notable improvement in the health care of smell and taste disorders. These disorders are often overlooked due to other chronic conditions, especially among older adults, including polypharmacy (multiple drug prescriptions for other conditions/illnesses), cancer treatments, etc.

Methodology

Questions used to obtain the national baseline data

(For additional information, please visit the data source page linked above.)

From the 2021 National Health Interview Survey:

Numerator and Denominator:
The next questions are about {your/SP's} sense of smell. During the past 12 months, {have you/has he/has she} had a problem with {your/his/her} ability to smell, such as not being able to smell things or things not smelling the way they are supposed to?
  1. YES
  2. NO
  3. Refused
  4. Don't know
How would {you/SP} rate {your/his/her} ability to smell now as compared to when {you were/he was/she was} 25 years old? Is it better, worse or is there no change?
  1. BETTER NOW
  2. WORSE NOW
  3. NO CHANGE
  4. Refused
  5. Don't know
{Do you/Does SP} sometimes smell an unpleasant, bad or burning odor when nothing is there?
  1. YES
  2. NO
  3. Refused
  4. Don't know
The next questions are about {your/SP's} sense of taste. During the past 12 months, {have you/has he/has she} had a problem with {your/his/her} ability to taste sweet, sour, salty or bitter foods and drinks?
  1. YES
  2. NO
  3. Refused
  4. Don't know
Is {your/SP's} ability to taste food flavors such as chocolate, vanilla or strawberry as good as when {you were/he was/she was} 25 years old?
  1. YES
  2. NO
  3. Refused
  4. Don't know
During the past 12 months {have you/has SP} had a taste or other sensation in {your/his/her} mouth that does not go away?
  1. YES
  2. NO
  3. Refused
  4. Don't know
Numerator:
{Have you/Has SP} ever discussed any problem with, or change in {your/his/her} ability to taste or smell with a health care provider?
  1. YES
  2. NO
  3. Refused
  4. Don't know
When was the last time {you/SP} /discussed any problem with {your/his/her} ability to taste or smell with a health care provider?
  1. IN THE PAST 12 MONTHS
  2. 1 TO 4 YEARS AGO
  3. 5 TO 9 YEARS AGO
  4. TEN OR MORE YEARS AGO
  5. Refused
  6. Don't know

Methodology notes

A health care provider, as defined in NHIS Interviewer Instructions, includes: doctors, dentists, dietitians, and nutritionists.

Age-adjustment notes

This Indicator uses Age-Adjustment Groups:

  • Total: 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-64, 65+
  • Sex: 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-64, 65+
  • Race/Ethnicity: 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-64, 65+
  • Educational Attainment: 25-34, 35-44, 45-64, 65+
  • Family Income (percent poverty threshold): 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-64, 65+
  • Family Type: 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-64, 65+
  • Country of Birth: 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-64, 65+
  • Disability Status: 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-64, 65+
  • Geographic Location: 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-64, 65+
  • Health Insurance Status: 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-64
  • Sexual orientation: 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-64, 65+
  • Marital Status: 18-24, 25-34, 35-44, 45-64, 65+

History

Comparable HP2020 objective
Modified, which includes core objectives that are continuing from HP2020 but underwent a change in measurement.
Changes between HP2020 and HP2030
In 2023, the data source was changed from NHANES to NHIS, therefore, the HP2030 data are not comparable with HP2020 objective. The population was changed from adults 40 years and older to 18 years and older.
Revision History
  • Revised. 

    In 2023, due to the data source change from NHANES to NHIS, the baseline was revised from 20.3% in 2013-14 to 18.5% in 2021. The target was revised from 26.2% to 20.4% using the original target setting method.
  • 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.