12 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)

12.1 Organization

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

Health-related telephone survey of U.S. residents established in 1984
Captures health-related risk behaviors, chronic health conditions, and use of preventive services
Collects data in 50 states, DC, and 3 U.S. territories
Used to track state and local health objectives, implement programs and activities, and monitor trends as well as support legislative efforts

Annual since 1987

Survey respondent

Cross-sectional telephone survey that state health departments conduct monthly over landline and cellular telephones
Questionnaire consists of core questions, optional modules, and state-added questions- complete questionnaire can vary from state to state
Many questions are taken from national surveys such as NHIS or NHANES. See https://www.cdc.gov/brfss/questionnaires/index.htm
Sample telephone numbers from households first. Most use disproportionate stratified sampling (high-density and medium-density strata) while a small number use simple random sampling. Also conduct a cell-phone sample.
Random digit dialing techniques
Computer-assisted telephone interviews
Respondent data are forwarded to CDC to be aggregated for each state, returned with standard tabulations, and published at year’s end by each state.

Free

Changes were made to weighting methodology (raking) and sampling methodology (addition of cell phone sample) in 2011
Starting with 2014, all adults contacted through cell phone were eligible regardless of landline use (i.e. complete overlap)
Suggested citation: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey Data. Atlanta, Georgia: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, [appropriate year].
Prevalence Data and Data Analyis Tools available at: https://www.cdc.gov/brfss/data_tools.htm