Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS), 2005

The Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS) collects nationally representative data about the American public's access to and use of cancer-related information. The 2005 HINTS survey is the second in an ongoing biannual series and provided information on the changing patterns, needs, and behavior in seeking and supplying cancer information, and explored how cancer risks are perceived. A series of questions addressed colon, lung, cervical, and breast cancer, the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), and respondents' familiarity with cancer screening procedures such as mammogram, colonoscopy, and the PSA test. Specific questions were also posed about the relationship between cancer, diet, and exercise. Information was also gathered on physical and mental health status, participation in community organizations, smoking history, how often respondents ate fruits and vegetables, and whether they had health insurance. Demographic variables include sex, age, race, education level, employment status, marital status, household income, frequency of religious attendance, number of people in the household, ownership of residence, type of residential area (e.g., urban or rural), and whether respondents were born in the United States.