Individual Study / MHAS

The baseline survey, in 2001, included a nationally representative sample of Mexicans aged 50 and over and their spouse/partners regardless of their age. A direct interview was sought with each individual and proxy interviews were obtained when poor health or temporary absence precluded a direct interview. • The sample was distributed in all 32 states of the country in urban and rural areas. Households in the six states which account for 40% of all migrants to the U.S. were over-sampled. A sub-sample was selected to obtain anthropometric measures. • All interviews were conducted in person with paper-pencil by trained full-time interviewers of the Instituto Nacional de Estadistica y Geografia (INEGI) of Mexico. • Self or proxy interviews were conducted with 15,402 selected persons and spouse/partners, for a response rate of 93%. Of these, a random sub-sample of 2,573 completed anthropometric measures.

A follow-up interview with surviving respondents was conducted in 2003. • The 2003 follow-up survey protocol included: a follow-up interview with all surviving respondents, a next-of-kin interview about deceased respondents; a complete baseline interview for new spouse/partners; and a proxy interview for respondents unable to complete their own interview because of illness or temporary absence.

The second phase of the MHAS, includes a third follow-up survey that was conducted in 2012.