The 131st Annual Meeting (November 15-19, 2003) of APHA

Abstract #70253

Meg Traci, PhD¹, Joanne Oreskovich, PhD², and Tom Seekins, Phd¹. (1) Rural Institute on Disabilities, University of Montana, 52 Corbin Hall, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, (406)243-4956, matraci@selway.umt.edu, (2) Health Policy and Services Division, Montana DPHHS, P.O. Box 202951, Helena, MT 59620-29

This poster will illustrate a process for achieving disability-related outcomes in several state plans– the Montana Health Improvement Initiative, Olmstead plans of three public health divisions, and the Statewide Comprehensive Outdoor Recreation Plan (SCORP). This process relies on and affects the content and uses of the Montana Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). First, the Montana BRFSS workgroup composed of multiple state public health agencies and health related organizations proposes and considers state-added items for the surveillance questionnaire. Criteria for item inclusion guide the selection process and hold usability of data for public health outcomes as outlined in state plans in high priority. The second phase of data collection is conducted by an outside contractor that updates the workgroup regularly via website postings and in-person consultation. The third phase of data analysis involves direct participation of relevant agencies and organizations with state BRFSS staff and epidemiologists. In the fourth phase, BRFSS results are used to guide development, evaluation, and revisions of state plan objectives. Finally, a fifth phase involves monitoring of the measurement quality of state-added questions for future use (e.g., validity studies).

Learning Objectives:

At the conclusion of the presentation, the participant in this session will be able to:
• List five items from the 2001 and 2002 Montana Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance questionnaires that measured disability.
• Describe five process phases of the Montana Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.
• Recognize components of state health plans that are outcomes of a multi-agency coordinated process of surveillance.

Keywords: Surveillance, Disability Policy

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.