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BRFSS and Caregiver Advocacy

BRFSS and Caregiver Advocacy. Katie Maslow Alzheimer’s Association March 18, 2009. What is BRFSS. Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System Telephone survey of a large, representative sample of state residents age 18 and older Conducted every year in every state

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BRFSS and Caregiver Advocacy

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  1. BRFSS and Caregiver Advocacy Katie Maslow Alzheimer’s Association March 18, 2009

  2. What is BRFSS Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System • Telephone survey of a large, representative sample of state residents age 18 and older • Conducted every year in every state • Intended to gather information about health (heart disease, diabetes, etc.) and health-related behaviors (exercise, diet, smoking, etc.) • Funded by states with support from CDC (U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)

  3. BRFSS Questions about Caregiving In 2009, everyone who responds to the BRFSS survey in their state will be asked: “People may provide regular care or assistance to a friend or family member who has a health problem, long-term illness, or disability. During the past month, did you provide any such care or assistance to a friend or family member?” By mid-2010, we will know the answer to that question for every state

  4. BRFSS Questions about Caregiving (cont.) For 2009 and ongoing, there is an approved, optional state module with 9 more questions about caregiving • Age, gender, and caregiver relationship to the person • Days/weeks/years of caregiving • Type and amount of care provided • Physical, mental, and cognitive diseases/conditions of the person • Greatest difficulties faced by the caregiver

  5. Why is this Important for Caregiver Advocates? If we count it, it’s ‘more real’ • Policy-makers respond to numbers • Media (TV, radio, newspapers) like to have numbers – they might only do a story about caregiving if they have numbers • Administrators and program planners need numbers to back up the need for programs • Foundations want numbers in grant proposals

  6. BRFSS will Provide State-Level Information about Caregiving We have no other source for this information • State-level information is compelling for state legislators, media, administrators and program planners • The information reflects the reality of caregiving for their constituents, audience, and the people who will use their programs • State (and sometimes county and local-level information) is more accurate than national information for that state; it should help to make programs more relevant to the real needs of caregivers in that state

  7. How Can We Get States to Use the Optional module on Caregiving? • Some states are already using the optional module in 2009 • For 2010: • Contact your state BRFSS coordinator www2.cdc.gov/nccdphp/brfss2/coordinator.asp • Advocate for including the optional module in 2010 • Explain why the information is essential • Seek legislative support – mandates and funding • Work will all caregiver advocates in your state

  8. Combining the Caregiving and Other BRFSS Information Since caregivers will be identified in the BRFSS, information is available not only about responses to the caregiving questions, but also about caregiver responses to all other BRFSS questions: • types of caregivers (e.g., veterans, and caregivers taking care of veterans) • caregiver health, illnesses, disability, exercise, diet • caregiver income, race/ethnicity We need to plan and budget for a full analysis Full reports on 2007 Caregiving reports for Kansas and Hawaii are at http://fodh.phhp.ufl.edu/publications

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