Frequently Asked Questions
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
What is the BRFSS?
How are BRFSS data collected?
Who participates in the BRFSS?
What kinds of questions are on the BRFSS?
If someone wants to verify that this is a valid survey, whom should they contact?
If all 50 states participate in the BRFSS, does that mean that the same
questions are asked in every state?
How are the BRFSS Data used?
How can I access BRFSS data?
Is the BRFSS data available to researchers?
Does DHSS conduct other BRFSS-like Surveys?
What if I am interested in BRFSS for my county?
Who do I contact for more information?
What is the BRFSS?
- The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) developed the BRFSS in collaboration with states in the early 1980s.
- The BRFSS is the largest, continuously conducted, telephone health survey in the world.
- All 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico participate in the BRFSS.
- The Missouri BRFSS has been in operation since 1986.
How are BRFSS data collected?
- BRFSS data are collected through random-digit-dialed (RDD) telephone interviews conducted by trained interviewers in the University of Missouri-Columbia Health and Behavioral Risk Research Center.
- Data are collected on a monthly basis throughout the year, with approximately one-twelfth of the annual total collected each month.
- Missouri uses computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) to create a smooth-flowing, menu-driven interview.
- In the first half of 2008, Missouri will participate in two pilot projects with CDC to collect data in other ways. Data will be collected through interviews with adults that live in cell phone only households and through written surveys mailed to non-respondents of the regular BRFSS interview. It is expected that by 2010, data collection from cell phone only users and written survey responses will be included in the BRFSS in all states.
Who participates in the BRFSS?
- The BRFSS collects information from approximately 5,400 adult (18 years of age or older) Missouri residents.
- Anyone with at least one residential telephone number (unlisted as well as listed) in the state has a theoretical possibility of being called.
- Telephone numbers to be called are randomly generated from a list of all residential prefixes in the state.
- Only one member of each household is eligible to be included in the survey. When a residence is reached, the interviewer asks the number of adult males and females in the household and the computer randomly selects which adult is the eligible respondent. This ensures that adults of all ages and both sexes are interviewed rather than the first person that answers the telephone.
- Calls are made days, evenings and weekends (up to three attempts over five different calling periods) so that all adults have equal chance of being selected to participate.
What kinds of questions are on the BRFSS?
- The BRFSS contains approximately 140 questions on a variety of health-related topics (e.g., health status; preventive health practices; behaviors related to leading causes of illness, disability and death; and access to health care).
- The BRFSS also contains socio-demographic questions (e.g., sex, age, race/ethnicity, marital status, employment status, county of residence, number of children in the household under 18 years of age, etc.).
If someone wants to verify that this is a valid survey, whom should they contact?
The Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) administers the BRFSS survey. DHSS contracts with the University of Missouri Columbia to conduct the telephone interviews. Individuals who have questions concerning the legitimacy of the survey should contact the Janet Wilson, BRFSS Coordinator at 573/526-6660 or Janet.Wilson@dhss.mo.gov
If all 50 states participate in the BRFSS, does that mean that the same questions are asked in every state?
- All states are required by CDC to include a set of “Fixed Core” questions on each annual questionnaire. Examples of fixed core questions include, but are not limited to demographics, health status, insurance status and tobacco use.
- States may include CDC “Optional Modules.” States may elect to include one or more standardized optional modules, based on state interests and the availability of funds.
- States also have the option of including one or more “State-added - Questions.” These are questions developed by the state's BRFSS staff in collaboration with program staff or a funding agency in response to a specific need for information.
How are the BRFSS Data used?
BRFSS data are used for many purposes, including:
- Assessing risk for chronic diseases, some infectious diseases and injuries;
- Identifying demographic differences and trends in health-related behaviors;
- Designing, monitoring and evaluating health interventions and services;
- Addressing emergent and critical health issues;
- Formulating policy and proposing legislation for health initiatives; and
- Measuring progress toward achieving state and national health objectives.
How can I access BRFSS data?
Is the BRFSS data available to researchers?
- All data collected since 1987 are in an electronic database that is indexed by topic and year.
- The database is accessible to epidemiologists and research analysts within DHSS and, upon request, is made available to researchers from elsewhere in the Department, other agencies and academic institutions.
Does DHSS conduct other BRFSS-like Surveys?
- In 2003, the first County-level Study was completed with approximately 15,000 adults participating. The study collected data on health conditions, risk factors and preventive practices. Data from the study are available at http://www.dhss.mo.gov/CommunityDataProfiles/ (2003 Health and Preventive Practices Status Reports from the 2003 Missouri County-level Study. Tobacco use data from the study are available at http://www.dhss.mo.gov/SmokingAndTobacco/reports.html)
- The 2007 County-level Study is currently underway with approximately 49,000 adults participating. Data will be available on the DHSS website in the fall of 2008.
What if I am interested in BRFSS for my county?
DHSS staff can provide you with consultation regarding the scientific and statistical measures that must be used in conducting community assessment surveys so that survey data are representative of the intended population and that the results can be compared to regional, state and national data.
Who do I contact for more information?
For further information, contact Janet Wilson, BRFSS Coordinator at 573/526-6660 or Janet.Wilson@dhss.mo.gov
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