National Mortality Followback Survey, 1986

The 1986 National Mortality Followback Survey (NMFS) is the first National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) mortality followback study since the 1966-1968 survey of the same name (ICPSR 8370). The 1986 NMFS supplements characteristics of mortality found in the routine vital statistics system by collecting information from death certificate informants or other knowledgeable relatives, and from health care facilities that were used by decedents in the last year of life. The death records provide demographic data on the decedent and information on the circumstances of death (location, time, underlying causes, and other health conditions at time of death) and use of medical facilities in the preceding year. Additional issues addressed in the informant questionnaire were health care sought and provided in the last year of life, risk factors associated with premature death, socioeconomic status and mortality, and reliability of selected items reported on the death certificate. Health care facilities provided information on diagnosis, diagnostic and surgical procedures performed on the decedent, and length of stay.