2020 Decennial Census Effect on the National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) Substance Use and Mental Health Estimates

The National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) provides national estimates of substance use and mental health among the civilian, noninstitutionalized population aged 12 or older in the United States. NSDUH person-level analysis weights are calibrated to estimated totals of the target population to reduce coverage bias and variance of survey estimates. The U.S. Census Bureau produces population estimates annually, using current data on births, deaths, and migration to adjust the most recent decennial census data. These postcensal population estimates become less accurate with each passing year. The person-level analysis weights used in the 2020 NSDUH estimates were calibrated to the 2020 postcensal population estimates based on the 2010 decennial census. In the 2021 NSDUH, population estimates began using the 2020 decennial census in the person-level analysis weights. The 2020 decennial census effect study examined whether, and to what extent, 2020 NSDUH estimates would have differed if person-level weights were calibrated to the 2020 decennial census data instead of the postcensal population estimates anchored to the 2010 decennial census.