Researchers are looking for more than 400 Dane County residents to answer questions about their health and take a physical exam as part of a landmark federal study.

The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, conducted annually by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, is "the nation’s report card on health," said Nora Martinello, a senior study manager.

The survey has helped create the growth charts pediatricians use, set blood pressure standards and encouraged authorities to remove lead from gasoline and paint, Martinello said.

Beginning Friday through early September, researchers will knock on the doors of selected homes around Dane County and ask people to take an hourlong health survey and a physical exam that lasts about four hours.

Topics include diet, exercise, height, weight, medications taken and family medical history. Participants receive $125 and a report of their medical data, including results of blood and urine tests, a lung capacity test and a bone scan.

"It allows people to contribute their data so we can see what the trends are," Martinello said. "They get incredible data about their health that they can share with their physicians."

The survey, first conducted 50 years ago, includes two Wisconsin locations this year among 15 sites nationwide.

In Dane County, 421 participants will be sought. Walworth County also has been selected. Last year’s survey included Milwaukee County.

The CDC survey is different from, but similar to, the Survey of the Health of Wisconsin conducted by the UW School of Medicine and Public Health. The medical school survey, which started last year, aims to compile a statewide report card on health, said Dr. Javier Nieto, survey director.

Residents targeted for the CDC survey should have already received a postcard and a letter at their homes, Martinello said.

Soon, those people will be visited by researchers asking them to take the health survey. Beginning in August, participants will be asked to visit the Alliant Energy Center, where a mobile exam center will be set up inside four semitrailers.

A doctor will conduct the exam but won’t provide medical care. Participants can choose whether to let the researchers store DNA from their lab samples for future studies.

All information will remain confidential, Martinello said.

The survey includes children. Students can get community service credit for school, and children age 12 and younger get $50 instead of $125.