Got a letter in the mail the other day from none other than the Department of Health and Human Resources Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. I'm wondering if anyone else who reads it will find it as disturbing as I did.

It read as follows:

From the Director of the National Center for Health Statistics:

I am asking for your help with an important study conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) called the National Immunization Survey (NIS). This survey tells us which vaccines people in the U.S. have received and about other important health topics. Results from the NIS are used to help health officials in their efforts to improve health care programs. In the next few weeks, the National Opinion Research Center (NORC) at the University of Chicago will call your household to take part in this study for CDC.

For this study, we need to ask about vaccinations and about children's health. Some households also may be asked about the health services their children need or use. If you have a child between 18 and 35 months of age, it would be helpful to have your child's immunization records handy when answering our questions. However, you can also answer these questions without the records.

Your phone number was chosen randomly by computer. It is important for us to interview every household we call to get a complete picture of your area's immunization rates and key factors that might affect them. The study is important, but you do not have to take part, or you can decide not to answer one or more questions.

The letter then goes on to give information about a toll free number you can call to participate in the survey immediately or to find out what types of questions will be asked. It also gives a web address.

The last paragraph includes these words:

Your answers to the NIS will provide information to help improve the nation's health now and in the years ahead...

The really interesting part will be if they actually call me - because I don't have a land line and my cell number is the only number I use.