Description

For all priority conditions except joint pain (PRTYCOND), AGEDIAG reports the respondent's age when the condition was first diagnosed. For confidentiality reasons, AGEDIAG is top-coded to 85 and, beginning in 2013, is set to NIU (96) for all cancer conditions. In 2007, AGEDIAG is only fielded for respondents in Panel 12 (PANELX).

IPUMS MEPS reports the universe for each variable based on a thorough review of the original MEPS documentation. Investigating the data may reveal cases that do not meet the stated universe. Users are encouraged to validate universes for their analyses.

AGEDIAG is on the condition record (see RECTYPE for more details on the different record types in IPUMS MEPS). Variables offered on the condition record through IPUMS MEPS are derived from the Medical Conditions file provided by AHRQ. Please see our overview of the event, medical conditions, and prescribed medicines variables, including how those variables are offered through IPUMS MEPS, and general considerations to keep in mind when conducting analyses using these variables.

AGEDIAG is a 2-digit numeric variable.

85: Top code for 85 years or older
96: Not in universe (NIU)
97: Unknown-refused
98: Unknown-not ascertained
99: Unknown-don't know

Comparability

Other than cancer conditions being coded as NIU beginning in 2013, this variable is completely comparable.

Universe

Availability

• 2007-2021

Weights

• 2007-2021 : PERWEIGHT

Flags