Understanding and Preparing NHANES Data
- Introduction to NHANES and its data structure.
- Identifying relevant research variables.
- Importing, cleaning and managing data in Stata.
- Merging demographic, examination and laboratory datasets.
From NHANES 2013–2018 Data to Mortality Research
Learn how to transform national health survey data into meaningful clinical and public health research findings.
Join Trakanalytica Academy for an intensive, hands-on masterclass exploring how NHANES data and linked mortality information can be used to investigate the association between obesity and all-cause mortality among US adults.
Through guided practical sessions, you will learn how to prepare health datasets, work with mortality follow-up information and conduct introductory survival analysis using Stata.
International participants should confirm their local time zone before registering. The advertised time is Eastern Standard Time (EST).
What will you work on during the masterclass?
Throughout the three days, participants will work through a practical clinical research project using NHANES data and linked mortality information.
Obesity is an important public health concern associated with several chronic conditions. In this practical project, participants will take the role of researchers investigating whether obesity is associated with the risk of all-cause mortality among adults who participated in NHANES.
Instead of collecting new data, the project uses existing health survey information and linked mortality follow-up data.
Eligible adult NHANES participants from selected survey cycles.
Obesity, classified using body mass index (BMI).
All-cause mortality.
Time from NHANES examination to death or the end of available follow-up.
Age, sex and selected demographic and health characteristics.
NHANES and the Public-Use Linked Mortality File.
Stata.
Study period: NHANES 2013–2018 survey cycles, linked to publicly available mortality follow-up information through December 31, 2019.
The practical journey: Participants will progress from exploring and preparing the datasets to merging mortality information, conducting survival analysis and interpreting the findings.
By the end of the masterclass, you will have practical exposure to:
Understanding NHANES datasets and documentation.
Importing, cleaning and merging health datasets in Stata.
Working with NHANES linked mortality information.
Preparing mortality status and follow-up time variables.
Conducting Kaplan–Meier survival analysis.
Introduction to Cox proportional hazards regression.
Interpreting survival curves, hazard ratios and statistical results.
This masterclass is suitable for:
Basic computer skills and some familiarity with research or statistics. Previous Stata experience is helpful but not essential.
The masterclass will be facilitated by Wilfred Nyakeri of Trakanalytica Academy.
He will guide participants through the practical process of working with NHANES data, preparing linked mortality datasets, conducting survival analysis in Stata, and interpreting research findings.
The training will emphasize hands-on learning, practical demonstrations and the application of statistical methods to a real-world clinical research question.
Only 20 places available! Registration closes on 8 December 2026 at 11:59 PM EAT, or earlier if all places are filled.