The Health Security Index measures consumer sentiment about health security, including healthcare access, quality, and affordability. CHW commissioned The Segmentation Company, a division of Yankelovich, Inc. to conduct the study, securing responses from 1,000 adults nationwide who participated in a 20-minute telephone interview during February 2008. In addition to the nationwide survey, oversampling interviews took place in the states where CHW serves - Arizona (409) California (400), Nevada (400) - and in the Hispanic/Latino population (151).

The Health Security Index provides a composite score of public perceptions about their health and their ability to access the care they need.  The questions probe attitudes about healthcare affordability and insurance coverage, the ability to access healthcare professionals and the quality of that care, the ability to access healthcare facilities for routine and emergency health services, the ability of community officials to respond to a healthcare crisis, and the ability to manage chronic diseases.

CHW will conduct the Index survey on an annual basis to track the status of the nation's health security over time.