Sponsor

U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP).

Mode of Administration

Telephone interview.

Survey Sample Design

Data collection is conducted separately by each State. Sample design uses State-level, random-digit-dialed probability samples of the adult (aged 18 years and over) population. Most States currently use disproportionate random sampling methods. Increasing State participation over time, with 15 States in 1984 and all 50 States and the District of Columbia since 1994. In 1998, State-specific sample sizes ranged from 1,499 to 6,005. The median sample size was 2,648.

Response Rates

State response rates vary from year to year. In 1998, upper-bound response rates ranged from 45 to 95 percent (median response rate: 73 percent).

Primary Survey Content

The survey consists of a core of questions asked in all States, standardized optional questions on selected topics that are administered at the State’s discretion, a rotating core of questions asked every other year in all States, and State-added questions developed to address State-specific needs. Questions cover behavioral risk factors (for example, alcohol and tobacco use), preventive health measures, HIV/AIDS, health status, limitation of activity, and health care access and utilization.

Population Targeted

Civilian, noninstitutionalized population 18 years of age and older who reside in households with telephones.

Demographic Data

Gender, age, educational attainment, race/ethnicity, household income, employment status, and marital status.

Years Collected

Annually since 1984.

Schedule

Annual.

Geographic Estimates

National; State; smaller area estimates possible in some States.

Notes

The BRFSS is a partnership between State Health Departments and CDC; CDC provides about one-half of the financial resources for States to use for data collection efforts. States have substantial input on questions used by all States through the BRFSS. Many Healthy People objectives are tracked with questions that are asked every other year or are optional. Persons who do not have telephones or have telephones but are either in institutional settings or cannot be understood over the telephone are excluded.

Contact Information

Data system homepage:
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/brfss

Data system phone: 770-488-2455

Agency homepage:
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp

Agency phone: 770-488-5401

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System User’s Guide. Atlanta, GA: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, 1998.

Nelson, D.E.; Holtzman, D.; Waller, M.; et al. Objectives and design of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. American Statistical Association 1998 Proceedings of the Section on Survey Research Methods. Alexandria, VA: American Statistical Association (ASA), 1998, 214-218.

Powell-Griner, E. Uses and limitations of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data. American Statistical Association 1998 Proceedings of the Section on Survey Research Methods. Alexandria, VA: ASA, 1998, 219-223.