Telephone survey letters

Dear Sir or Madam:
I’m writing to ask you to take part in an important national survey sponsored by the U.S.
Department of Health and Human Services. The Health Information National Trends Survey has
interviewed thousands of people in the last few years. From it we’ve learned that:


About 4 out of 5 adults believe that there are so many recommendations about nutrition that
it is hard to know which ones to follow.



About one in four adults read the health section of a newspaper or magazine every week.



Almost half of all adults don’t know the age at which to begin screening for certain types of
cancer.

With information like this, the survey can help the government and companies better
communicate health information to everyone.
Your household was chosen at random for this survey and cannot be replaced. An
interviewer from Westat, a research firm under contract with the U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services, will call within the next few weeks. It will take perhaps 20 to 30 minutes to
answer our questions. What you have to say will help us find out how we can best provide the
health information people need. Your answers will be kept confidential to the extent provided by
law. More information about the study is provided on the other side of this letter.
We know that your time is valuable. We’ve enclosed $2 as a token of our appreciation for
your participation. Of course, your participation is voluntary. You can keep the money even if
you decide not to take part in the survey.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation. If you have any questions about the study or
to schedule your interview, call Westat toll-free at 1–888–314–1133.
Sincerely,

Bradford W. Hesse, Ph.D.
HINTS Project Officer
Chief, Health Communication and
Informatics Research Branch
National Institutes of Health
U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services

The Health Information National Trends Survey is authorized under 42 USC, Section 285a

Dear Sir or Madam:
Americans today have access to more health information than ever. However, we
don’t always know how to find what we really need to know. I hope you’ll take part in
an important survey sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
By taking part, you can help us do a better job of meeting the health information needs of
the nation.
Your household was chosen at random for the Health Information National
Trends Survey and cannot be replaced. An interviewer from Westat, a research firm
under contract with the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, will call within
the next few weeks. It will take perhaps 20 to 30 minutes to answer our questions. What
you have to say will help us find out how we can best provide the health information
people need. Your answers will be kept confidential to the extent provided by law.
We know that your time is valuable. We’ve enclosed $2 as a token of our
appreciation for your participation. Of course, your participation is voluntary. You can
keep the money even if you decide not to take part in the survey. More information about
the study is provided on the other side of this letter.
Thank you in advance for your cooperation. If you have any questions about the
study or to schedule your interview, call Westat toll-free at 1–888–314-1133.

Sincerely,

Bradford W. Hesse, Ph.D.
HINTS Project Officer
Chief, Health Communication and
Informatics Research Branch
National Institutes of Health
U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services

Si prefiere recibir la encuesta en Español, por favor llame 1-888-314-1133

The Health Information National Trends Survey is authorized under 42 USC, Section 285a

Dear Sir or Madam:
We ask for your household’s participation in this year’s Health Information
National Trends Survey. This telephone survey is an important opportunity to have your
voice heard on health issues.
This research helps America learn more about the health of its people and the
problems they have getting accurate health information. The results will be used to help
keep Americans better informed on important health issues.
We recently called your home, but it was not a good time for anyone to speak
with us. We know your time is valuable. However, your household is part of a scientific
sample representing many other households like yours and your household cannot be
replaced. Please take a moment to take our call. If we happen to call at an inconvenient
time, you can suggest a time that is better for you.
We’ve enclosed $2 as a token of our appreciation for your participation. Of course, your
participation is voluntary. You can keep the money even if you decide not to take part in
the survey.
If you have any questions, please call Westat toll free at 1-888–314-1133.

Sincerely,

Bradford W. Hesse, Ph.D.
HINTS Project Officer
Chief, Health Communication and
Informatics Research Branch
National Institutes of Health
U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services

Si prefiere recibir la encuesta en Español, por favor llame 1-888-314-1133

The Health Information National Trends Survey is authorized under 42 USC, Section 285a

Dear Sir or Madam:
We ask for your household’s participation in this year’s Health Information
National Trends Survey. This telephone survey is an important opportunity to have your
voice heard on health issues.
This research helps America learn more about the health of its people and the
problems they have getting accurate health information. The results will be used to help
keep Americans better informed on important health issues.
We recently called your home, but it was not a good time for anyone to speak
with us. We know your time is valuable. However, your household is part of a scientific
sample representing many other households like yours, and your household cannot be
replaced. Please take a moment to take our call. If we happen to call at an inconvenient
time, you can suggest a time that is better for you.
If you have any questions, please call Westat toll free at 1-888-314-1133.

Sincerely,

Bradford W. Hesse, Ph.D.
HINTS Project Officer
Chief, Health Communication and Informatics
Research Branch
National Institutes of Health
U.S. Dept of Health and Human Services

Si prefiere recibir la encuesta en Español, por favor llame 1-888-314-1133

The Health Information National Trends Survey is authorized under 42 USC, Section 285a

Some Frequently Asked Questions
about the
Health Information National Trends Survey
Q:

What is the study about? What kind of questions will you be asking?
A:

Q:

How will the study results be used? What will be done with my information?
A:

Q:

About 20 to 30 minutes.

Who is sponsoring the study? Is this study approved by the Federal Government?
A:

Q:

Yes. Your answers will not be revealed to anyone but the researchers in a way that identifies you or your
household, to the extent provided by law.

How long will the survey interview last?
A:

Q:

Your participation is voluntary, and you may refuse to answer any questions or withdraw from the study at any
time. Your household was selected randomly using scientific sampling methods, in order to reach a sample
that reflects the entire population of the United States. You represent thousands of other households like
yours, and you cannot be replaced. Your answers and opinions are very important to the success of this
study, as you represent others who share your knowledge and beliefs.

Will my answers to the survey be kept confidential?
A:

Q:

An independent organization matched a list of published addresses to the randomly selected telephone
numbers included in the sample for this survey. This letter was sent to every address that was matched with a
telephone number in the sample. Address information is kept confidential and will be destroyed as soon as the
survey is completed.

Why should I take part in this study? Do I have to do this?
A:

Q:

Your number was randomly selected from among all of the possible telephone numbers in the nation. It was
selected using scientific sampling methods. If your number was unlisted, it still is.

How did you get my address?
A:

Q:

Findings will help the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services promote good health and prevent
disease, by determining ways of better communicating accurate health information to people.

How did you get my (unlisted) telephone number?
A:

Q:

The study concerns health and how people receive health information. For example, we will ask how you
usually get information about how to stay healthy, the sources of information you most trust, and how you
might like to get such information in the future. We will also ask about your beliefs on what contributes to good
health, how best to prevent cancer, your participation in various health-related activities, and related topics.

The study is sponsored by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The study has been
approved by the Office of Management and Budget (OMB), the office that reviews all federally-sponsored
surveys. The OMB approval number assigned to this study is xxxx-xxxx.

Who is Westat?
A:

Westat is a research company located in Rockville, Maryland. Westat is conducting this survey under
contract to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.