SA-14.3 Data Details

During regular data collection and processing checks, errors were identified in the NSDUH data. These errors affected the data for Pennsylvania (2006-2010) and Maryland (2008-2009). These errors had minimal impact on the national estimates and no effect on direct estimates for the other 48 states and the District of Columbia. Comparing estimates for Pennsylvania, Maryland, the mid-Atlantic division, and the Northeast region were of most concern. As a result in 2013, the original baseline was revised from 27.0 to 27.1 percent. The target was adjusted from 24.3 to 24.4 percent to reflect the revised baseline using the original target-setting method. In 2015, SAMHSA implemented changes to the NSDUH data collection equipment, respondent materials, and survey questionnaire, including revisions to existing measures (e.g., prescription drugs, methamphetamine, hallucinogens, inhalants, and binge alcohol) and the addition of new questions (e.g., sexual orientation and attraction, disability status, and identification of active duty family members). The 2015 changes are expected to improve the quality of data, and the questionnaire revisions will address SAMHSA's substance use and mental health policy and research needs. As a result in 2017, the baseline was again revised from 27.1 to 26.9 percent. The target was also adjusted from 24.4 to 24.2 percent to reflect the revised baseline using the original target-setting method.