218096 Use of Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Data at the Local Level 2004 -2009

Tuesday, November 9, 2010 : 10:45 AM - 11:00 AM

Steven R. Machlin, MS , Center for Financing, Access, and Cost Trends, Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, Rockville, MD
Lina S. Balluz, ScD , Office of Surveillance Program/Behavioral Surveillance Division, Centers for disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, GA
The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is our nation's premier system for measuring and tracking state-level data on critical health problems and a wide variety of health-related behaviors in the U.S. The data is used to underpin many public health policy and program decisions in states. The BRFSS is a cross-sectional telephone survey conducted by state health departments, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam. For over 20 years, this unique state-based system has provided flexible, timely, and ongoing data collection that can be tailored to meet individual state needs.

While the state-level data continue to remain valuable, there has been increasing demand for local health information. In response to the need for local data, CDC used the annual large sample size of the BRFSS (approximately 413,000 respondents) to analyzed data for metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas (MMSAs) where any MMSA with sample size of 500 and any county with sample of 250 completed interview were included in the SMART BRFSS. Now prevalence estimates for over 15 health indicators for over 250 MMSA as well as many counties within those areas are available. Health officials now have access to local-level data that are comparable across the nation. This information provides state and local public health officials and policy-makers with an important new tool for public health planning.

Learning Areas:
Assessment of individual and community needs for health education
Biostatistics, economics
Diversity and culture
Epidemiology
Provision of health care to the public
Public health or related public policy

Learning Objectives:
Decsribe the impact of BRFSS data on local level.

Keywords: Health Assessment, Public Health Informatics

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Not Answered

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I am qualified to present because I have 8 years experience in working with the states and local level on shaping and interpreting surveillance data to fits their needs.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.