CDC's Assessment Initiative program and the BRFSS

Assessment Initiative program is a cooperative agreement supporting development of new systems, methods, and practices to improve the way data are used for public health decision and policymaking. CDC has funded several states to develop Web-based Data Query Systems (WDQS) to facilitate data communication and improve data analysis. BRFSS is one surveillance system included in the WDQS.

In Florida, county level BRFSS data is available to estimate the prevalence of personal health behaviors that contribute to morbidity and mortality. Florida CHARTS includes 22 BRFSS categories (e.g., alcohol consumption, arthritis, cancer screening, disability); indicators; and groups (e.g., gender, race, age, marital status) which are used in health assessment, planning and training purposes.

In Missouri, Priority MICA incorporates BRFSS data with various surveillance systems (e.g., vital statistics, BRFSS, ED, Hospitalization) to calculate priority index for diseases or risk factors for specific populations (e.g., gender, race) based on selected criteria. The result is then used by the community to prioritize which health conditions to address.

In Rhode Island, Health Web Data Query System contains 9 years of BRFSS data which are used to measure health risk behaviors among residents, in conjunction with the YRBS and vital statistics. The WDQS is designed to monitor Health Rhode Island 2010 indicators.

The development of WDQS has created a synergy among various programs which traditionally have operated in silos (e.g., MCH, WIC, etc.) to address public health issues. Nationwide implementation of this successful approach will benefit and advance public health practice.