A 36-item short-form (SF-36) was constructed to survey health status in the Medical Outcomes Study. The SF-36 was designed for use in clinical practice and research, health policy evaluations, and general population surveys. The SF-36 includes one multi-item scale that assesses eight health concepts:​ 1) limitations in physical activities because of health problems;​ 2) limitations in social activities because of physical or emotional problems;​ 3) limitations in usual role activities because of physical health problems;​ 4) bodily pain;​ 5) general mental health (psychological distress and well-being);​ 6) limitations in usual role activities because of emotional problems;​ 7) vitality (energy and fatigue);​ and 8) general health perceptions. The survey was constructed for self-administration by persons 14 years of age and older, and for administration by a trained interviewer in person or by telephone. The history of the development of the SF-36, the origin of specific items, and the logic underlying their selection are summarized. The content and features of the SF-36 are compared with the 20-item Medical Outcomes Study short-form.