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

Reduce vision loss from age-related macular degeneration — V‑07 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: 15.6 per 1,000 adults aged 45 years and over had visual impairment due to AMD in 2017

Target: 12.5 per 1,000

Numerator
Number of adults aged 45 years and over with macular degeneration who have lost vision because of macular degeneration.
Denominator
Number of adults aged 45 years and over.
Target-setting method
Percent improvement
Target-setting method details
20 percent improvement from the baseline.
Target-setting method justification
Trend data were evaluated for this objective, but it was not possible to project a target because of data variability and limited data points. A 20 percent improvement from the baseline was used to calculate a target. This method was used because it was a statistically significant improvement from the baseline. A combination of early detection tools, dietary supplements to slow progression, and new therapies may increase the likelihood of achieving this ambitious target.

Methodology

Questions used to obtain the national baseline data

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

From the 2017 National Health Interview Survey Vision Supplement:

Numerator and Denominator:
Have you ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that you had macular degeneration?
  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. Refused
  4. Don't know

If answered "yes" (1) then asked:

Have you lost any vision because of macular degeneration?
  1. Yes
  2. No
  3. Refused
  4. Don't know

Methodology notes

Persons who responded "yes" to the two Numerator questions met the (self-reporting) criteria for this objective.

Age-adjustment notes

This Indicator uses Age-Adjustment Groups:

  • Total: 45-49, 50-64, 65+
  • Sex: 45-49, 50-64, 65+
  • Race/Ethnicity: 45-49, 50-64, 65+
  • Educational Attainment: 45-49, 50-64, 65+
  • Family Income (percent poverty threshold): 45-49, 50-64, 65+
  • Family Type: 45-49, 50-64, 65+
  • Country of Birth: 45-49, 50-64, 65+
  • Disability Status: 45-49, 50-64, 65+
  • Geographic Location: 45-49, 50-64, 65+
  • Health Insurance Status: 45-49, 50-64
  • Marital Status: 45-49, 50-64, 65+

History

Comparable HP2020 objective
Retained, which includes core objectives that are continuing from Healthy People 2020 with no change in measurement.