The U.S. Census Bureau today announced the beginning of data collection for phase 3.5 of the experimental Household Pulse Survey (HPS). Phase 3.5 includes new questions on timing of positive COVID-19 testing, use of coronavirus treatments, the experience of long-COVID symptoms, amount of monthly rent and changes in monthly rent, children’s mental health and difficulty with self-care and communicating. Questions related to food expenditures will be reinstated.
Some existing questions were also modified. Among them: changing the focus of one vaccination question to ask reasons for not getting the COVID-19 vaccine boosterinstead of reasons for not getting the vaccine; modifying the questions on children’s vaccines to include whether each child in each given age group is fully vaccinated and has received booster vaccines; and a revised question on number of days (if any) teleworked. Several questions were removed for this phase, including those on the number of vaccine doses and brand of vaccine received, intention to receive a vaccine, mental health prescriptions and services use and unmet needs, preventive care for children, confidence in paying rent or mortgage on time and some questions on household activities.
The HPS is an effort by the Census Bureau and other federal statistical agencies to provide near real-time data on how the COVID-19 pandemic is affecting people’s lives to inform federal and state response and recovery planning. The Census Bureau is set to release data from this phase June 22, July 20, and August 17.
HPS results are available on our website through the Household Pulse Survey Interactive Tool, detailed tables, and a public-use data file.