Texas Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)

Turning Information Into Health

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

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

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

Federal (CDC) Role

• Develop, test, and validate survey questions

• Distribute technical instructions to states and their contractors

• Provide resources, support, coordination, and training

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

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

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

Statewide BRFSS: Scope

• 150 Questions (80 Core, 70 Optional)

• 20 – 25 minute interview

• 500 completed interviews per month

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

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

Texas BRFSS Products

• Statewide BRFSS Survey

• Special point-in-time community surveys

• Data requests

• Texas Risk Factor Reports

• Website: http://www.cdc.gov/brfss

Overweight / Obesity RateAmong Texas AdultsBRFSS, 1990 – 2002

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

70

1990 1990 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Per

cent

BMI 25 and Over (Overweight)

BMI 30 and Over (Obesity)

Current Smoking Among Texas AdultsBy Age GroupBRFSS, 2002

24 24 25

13

0

10

20

30

18-29 30-44 45-64 65+

Per

cent

Ever Had a Sigmoidoscopy or ColonoscopyAdults Age 50 and Over

BRFSS, 2002

50

42

30

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

White African American Hispanic

Per

cen

t

Adults with No InsuranceTexas Vs. US

BRFSS, 1991 – 2002

0

10

20

30

40

1991 1992 1993 1994 1995 1996 1997 1988 1999 2000 2001 2002

Per

cent

Texas

US

Women Counseled About OsteoporosisBy Age Group

Texas Adults, Osteoporosis Survey, 2001

53

2535

0

20

40

60

80

18 to 29 30 to 44 45 to 55

Wei

ghte

d P

erce

nt

.

Percentage of Texas Adults Who Always Wear a Seatbelt

50

60

70

80

90

100

1995 1997 2002

Disability Indicators (Age & Gender Adjusted) With vs. Without Arthritis Texas Adults, BRFSS 2003

13

3

31

3735

15

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

With

With

out

With

With

out

With

With

out

Wei

ghte

d %

Needs Special Equipment

Limited in Activities Not employed (<65)

Obesity (Body Mass Index BMI >= 30)Potter vs. Randall County

BRFSS, 2002

25 26

16

0

10

20

30

Texas (2001) Potter Randall

Per

cent

Current SmokingPotter vs. Randall County

BRFSS, 2002

22

39

24

0

10

20

30

40

50

Texas (2001) Potter Randall

Per

cent

Potter & Randall counties differ statistically (P < 0.05)

No Mammogram in Past Two YearsWomen Age 40 and OlderPotter vs. Randall County

BRFSS, 2002

31

46

19

0

10

20

30

40

50

Texas (2000) Potter Randall

Per

cent

Potter & Randall counties differ statistically (P < 0.05)

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