Help Shape Public Health Policies and Initiatives

New York State Well-Being & Life Survey

Beginning in March 2026, randomly selected adults will be invited to take part in a survey about health, well-being, recreation and gambling. We’ll also ask about personal, community, and environmental factors that impact the health of New Yorkers. Your responses will help guide public health policies and initiatives in the state.

Survey Details

The survey is being administered by ICF Macro on behalf of the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports (OASAS) and will run every two years.

We will not send surveys to all New York State residents; rather, a randomly selected group of adults will be invited to participate.
If you're selected to participate, you may receive a letter in the mail or a call by phone asking you to take the "New York State Well-Being & Life Survey."
Your timely participation is a valuable public service, and your answers, along with other survey participants, will reflect the experiences of many residents like you.

Voluntary and Confidential

All responses are kept anonymous, meaning there is no way your answers can be connected to your name or contact information unless you choose to include your name and email address as part of the survey.

You do not have to answer any questions you don’t want to answer, and you can end the survey at any time.

Complete Survey by Phone or Online

You may complete the survey by phone or online on almost any device with a web browser, like a desktop computer, laptop, tablet, or smartphone.

If you're selected, you may receive a phone call on the following days and times:

Monday through Friday, 9 a.m. to 9 p.m.
Saturday or Sunday, 1 to 9 p.m.

You can also call 888-275-0089, toll-free, for more information or to arrange a specific call-back time.

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FAQs

Who is the sponsor of the study?

The New York State Well-Being and Life Survey is sponsored by the New York State Office of Addiction Services and Supports.

Why is this survey being conducted? What is the purpose of the study?

This survey is being conducted to better understand people’s experiences, behaviors, and needs related to the topics asked about. The information collected will be used to produce accurate, reliable data that can help researchers, policymakers, and service providers better understand current conditions and identify areas where programs, services, or policies may be improved.

By gathering information directly from participants, this study helps ensure that decisions and planning efforts are informed by real‑world experiences. The results will be analyzed in combination with responses from many others, and no individual responses will be reported on their own.

Participation in this survey contributes to a broader effort to generate knowledge that can support evidence‑based decision‑making and improve outcomes for diverse populations.

What is the survey about?

This survey asks some general questions about your health, such as if you have been told you have asthma, diabetes, or cardiovascular disease. It also asks about behaviors that affect your health, such as smoking, exercise habits, eating habits, frequency of doctor’s visits, etc. If there are questions you wish not to answer, you can refuse an individual question and still answer those questions you wish to answer.

How did you get my contact information?

Your household was randomly selected from a list of residential addresses or phone numbers in New York State.

What is the information used for?

The data will be used to help guide and fund public health programs that serve to improve our overall quality of life. Most people do find the survey interesting and no identifying information will be connected to the responses you provide.

Who should complete the survey?

A person in your household who is 18 years or older and who has the next birthday (coming up next) is the person who should take this survey. Eligible household members include all adults (aged 18 years or older), who consider the household their home. They do not need to be related family members, and may include someone renting a room or live-in domestic workers. Adult family members who currently live elsewhere (such as at college, a military base, a nursing home, a correctional facility, etc.) are not eligible to participate in this survey.

How long will the survey take?

On average it should take approximately 20 minutes to complete.

Whom should I contact with questions?

Please direct any questions to [email protected] or call 888-275-0089.

Will my privacy be protected?

Yes. There is no identifying information gathered during this survey that is used in any report. Your contact information is separated from your responses.