# What is the process for obtaining location data (state, MSA, or whatever is available) for the NHIS data?

**URL:** <https://forum.ipums.org/t/what-is-the-process-for-obtaining-location-data-state-msa-or-whatever-is-available-for-the-nhis-data/2464>\
**Category:** HEALTH SURVEYS\
**Created:** [July 25, 2018, 11:05pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/what-is-the-process-for-obtaining-location-data-state-msa-or-whatever-is-available-for-the-nhis-data/2464 "2018-07-25T23:05:00Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 2\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![fordPHX](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/258eb7/32.png) [@fordPHX](https://forum.ipums.org/u/fordPHX)\
**Post date:** [July 25, 2018, 11:05pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/what-is-the-process-for-obtaining-location-data-state-msa-or-whatever-is-available-for-the-nhis-data/2464/1 "2018-07-25T23:05:00Z")

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I’m trying to get access to the geographic location data for respondants to the NHIS Health Survey data. I understand it requires non-disclosure agreements, but not sure how to begin that process.

Regards,

George Ford

[ford@phoenix-center.org](mailto:ford@phoenix-center.org)

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**Author:** ![JeffBloem](https://sea1.discourse-cdn.com/flex019/user_avatar/forum.ipums.org/jeffbloem/32/40_2.png) [@JeffBloem](https://forum.ipums.org/u/JeffBloem)\
**Post date:** [July 26, 2018, 3:28pm UTC](https://forum.ipums.org/t/what-is-the-process-for-obtaining-location-data-state-msa-or-whatever-is-available-for-the-nhis-data/2464/2 "2018-07-26T15:28:00Z")

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The public use version of NHIS data available via IPUMS Health Surveys has limited geographic identification. For access to restricted use NHIS data you’ll need to connect with a Restricted Data Center or RDC. [See this page](https://www.cdc.gov/rdc/b1datatype/Dt1225.htm) for information about accessing restricted NHIS variables.