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BRFSS


Montana BRFSS LogoThe Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is the primary source of state-based information on health risk behaviors among the adult population 18 years of age or older living in households.

Since 1984, BRFSS has gathered information from U.S. adults about a wide range of behaviors that affect their health. BRFSS is made possible through cooperative agreements between each state or territory and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).The primary focus of these surveys is on behaviors that are linked with the leading causes of death - heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, and injury - and other important health issues.

In addition to information on health status and behavioral risks, information on a variety of demographic factors is gathered to make prevalence estimates for specific population groups possible. Thus, interventions can be directed to people at the greatest risk. Visit the Questionnaires section of this site to learn more about the survey instruments used in BRFSS. An informative brochure entitled "Turning Information into Health" also provides a general overview about the BRFSS program.

The information collected is used to improve health care for citizens on a national and statewide basis. More specifically, BRFSS data are used to:

  • identify demographic differences and trends in health-related behaviors,
  • monitor the effectiveness of health intervention and services,
  • address critical and emerging health issues,
  • educate the public, the health practitioners, and policy makers about health risk behaviors and conditions through data dissemination, formulate policy and public health initiatives,
  • measure progress toward achieving state and national health objectives.

BRFSS is about people and how to improve and maintain their health. In order to accomplish that goal, valid and reliable data are needed by policy-makers, researchers, professional and community-based organizations to create policies, target prevention activities, and establish programs to assist persons in developing healthier lifestyles.

Important Notification for 2011

The 2011 BRFSS estimates should not be compared to BRFSS estimates from previous years.  2011 should be considered a new baseline for future estimates.  Any trend lines produced from BRFSS data should show a break between 2010 and 2011 data.  The methodological changes of adding cell phones and using a larger number of socio-demographics to weight the data will greatly improve the accuracy, coverage, validity, and representativeness of BRFSS data.  For more information on these changes, please visit the CDC website:  http://www.cdc.gov/surveillancepractice/reports/brfss/brfss.html

Page last updated: 03/19/2013