Texas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)

1. Texas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Turning Information Into Health

2. What We Do • Promote the use of objective health information for state and community decision making • Decisions at all levels of public health from policy-making to what people do in their everyday lives

3. What is BRFSS • Monitors major health risks at the state, region, and county level • All 50 states participate • Data gathered from telephone interviews with thousands of adults using standardized methods • Largest telephone survey in the world

4. BRFSS History • Created in the early 1980s by CDC • Fills need for state level data • Expanded to all 50 states and four territories • Began continuous operation in Texas in 1987 • Focus is shifting to the local level • Administered through a state / federal partnership

5. Federal (CDC) Role • Develop, test, and validate survey questions • Distribute technical instructions to states and their contractors • Provide resources, support, coordination, and training

6. State Role • CDC calls us field operations • Tailor survey to meet state and local needs • Identify additional funding resources • Oversee ongoing collection of data • Disseminate data and analytical products • Coordinate with stakeholders

7. Texas BRFSS Overview • Only comprehensive statewide system for monitoring health risk factors, health practices, and chronic diseases among adult Texans • Stakeholders from all levels of public health • Addresses major Texas public health priorities

8. BRFSS Question Modules • Tobacco use • Physical activity, nutrition, and obesity • Use of preventive health services • Major chronic diseases • HIV / AIDS • Alcohol consumption • Access to health care • Health related quality of life • Demographics

9. Statewide BRFSS: Scope • 150 Questions (80 Core, 70 Optional) • 20 – 25 minute interview • 500 completed interviews per month

10. Statewide BRFSS: Timeline • February – Input from State Coordinators • March/April – Data release from previous year • July/August – Release of draft questionnaire • October – Survey documentation due to CDC • November – Survey finalized • December – Contract developed • January – Survey goes into the field

11. Texas BRFSS Resources • Base funding from CDC cooperative agreement • Core survey modules • Minimum sample size • Funding from stakeholders • Add questions • Increase sample size • State and federal sources • Staff Resources • 2 FTEs through Preventive Health Block Grant • Center for Health Statistics

12. Texas BRFSS Products • Statewide BRFSS Survey • Special point-in-time community surveys • Data requests • Texas Risk Factor Reports • Website: http://www.cdc.gov/brfss

13. Overweight / Obesity RateAmong Texas AdultsBRFSS, 1990 – 2002 BMI 25 and Over (Overweight) BMI 30 and Over (Obesity)

14. Current Smoking Among Texas AdultsBy Age GroupBRFSS, 2002

15. Ever Had a Sigmoidoscopy or ColonoscopyAdults Age 50 and OverBRFSS, 2002

16. Adults with No InsuranceTexas Vs. USBRFSS, 1991 – 2002 Texas US

17. Women Counseled About OsteoporosisBy Age GroupTexas Adults, Osteoporosis Survey, 2001

18. Percentage of Texas Adults Who Always Wear a Seatbelt

19. Disability Indicators (Age & Gender Adjusted) With vs. Without Arthritis Texas Adults, BRFSS 2003 Limited in Activities Needs Special Equipment Not employed (<65)

20. Obesity (Body Mass Index BMI >= 30)Potter vs. Randall CountyBRFSS, 2002

21. Current SmokingPotter vs. Randall CountyBRFSS, 2002 Potter & Randall counties differ statistically (P < 0.05)

22. No Mammogram in Past Two YearsWomen Age 40 and OlderPotter vs. Randall CountyBRFSS, 2002 Potter & Randall counties differ statistically (P < 0.05)

23. BRFSS Contact Information Jimmy Blanton, M.P.Aff. Coordinator 512-458-7111 x6593 jimmy.blanton@tdh.state.tx.us Program Websites: www.tdh.state.tx.us/chronicd/default.htm www.cdc.gov/brfss