Download this transcript (12KB)

A Cup of Health with CDC
Surveillance for Certain Health Behaviors Among States and Selected Local Areas
--- Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, United States, 2004
January 5, 2007

[Announcer] This podcast is presented by the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention. CDC – safer, healthier people.

[Matthew Reynolds] Welcome to A Cup of Health with CDC, a weekly broadcast
of the MMWR, the Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report. I’m your host, Matthew
Reynolds.

We all spend too much time fending off calls from telemarketers. But have you
ever received a call asking about your health? If so, you have participated in one
of public health’s most important surveys.

This telephone survey is the “Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System” or
BRFSS for short. The data allows researchers to ask questions about specific
illnesses and activities that may lead to disease.

Over a quarter of a million Americans were called in 2004 and asked questions
ranging from how much they drink to how often they exercise.

A group of CDC researchers just published the BRFSS results for 2004. Here to
discuss their findings is Dr. Ruth Jiles of the CDC’s Division of Adult and
Community Health.

Welcome to the show, Dr. Jiles.

[Dr. Jiles] Thanks Matthew. It’s great to be here.

[Matthew Reynolds] Dr Jiles, the collection of data for this survey must be a huge
undertaking. Can you tell us how it was done?

[Dr. Jiles] Yes. All states use a uniform questionnaire to collect data about
behaviors that impact major diseases and leading causes of death. States send
the data to CDC to be prepared for analyses. CDC and the states analyze the
data and provide information to public health decision makers.

[Matthew Reynolds] So what kinds of questions regarding diseases and daily
activities does BRFSS allow researchers to address?

[Dr. Jiles] The annual BRFSS questionnaire includes questions about cigarette
smoking, alcohol consumption, exercise, obesity, asthma, diabetes, heart
disease, pneumococcal and influenza vaccination, colorectal cancer screening,
prostate cancer screening, mammography, and a list of other diseases.

[Matthew Reynolds] One of the questions on the survey asks individuals to rate
their own health, ranging from excellent to poor. How do Americans rate their
health?

[Dr. Jiles] Of course, self-rated health status differs by state and areas within
states. For example, in Puerto Rico, 65% of the adult population indicate they
have good, very good, or excellent health. Of course, the remaining 36% indicate
their heath is either fair or poor. In Minnesota, 90% indicate they have good, very
good, or excellent health and 10% indicate they have fair or poor health.

Overall, approximately 85% of Americans rate their health as good, very good, or
excellent. Only 15% indicate they have fair or poor health.

[Matthew Reynolds] Well, in addition to health, the survey also asks about
physical activity. How much are Americans exercising?

[Dr. Jiles] As you know, regular physical activity reduces the risk for diseases,
such as coronary heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension. Yet, approximately
22% of Americans do not engage in leisure time physical activity. Of course,
regular physical activity also varies by states, ranging from 15.9% to 46.6%.

[Matthew Reynolds] Well, let’s talk a moment about obesity. First, what’s the
difference between overweight and obese?

[Dr. Jiles] Matthew, for adults, overweight and obesity ranges are determined by
using weight and height to calculate a number called the “body mass index” or
BMI. For most people, BMI correlates with their amount of body fat.

An adult who has a BMI between 25 and 29.9 is considered overweight. An adult
who has a BMI of 30 or higher is considered obese.

[Matthew Reynolds] How many Americans are overweight or obese?

[Dr. Jiles] The BRFSS data shows approximately 60% of Americans are
overweight or obese.

[Matthew Reynolds] And among the many behaviors covered in BRFSS, which
ones do you think pose the highest risk to our health?

[Dr. Jiles] As you know, cigarette smoking is the single most preventable cause
of disease and death in the United States. About 20% of Americans smoke.
Overweight and obesity also remains a national health concern because these
conditions increase the risk of chronic diseases, such as hypertension, heart
disease, stroke, and certain cancers.

[Matthew Reynolds] Well Dr. Jiles, what would you say are the top behaviors, the
most important behaviors, that we should either start or change to improve our
health?

[Dr. Jiles] Of course we focus on those behaviors that are preventable and that
impact major diseases, such as cigarette smoking, overweight and obesity, and
lack of regular exercise. In addition, there is a need to engage in other
preventive activities, such as colorectal cancer screening, and mammogram
screening according to the guidelines set forth by the U.S. Preventive Services
Task Force.

[Matthew Reynolds] Dr. Jiles, thanks for taking the time to discuss this survey
and the results with us.

[Dr. Jiles] Thank you, Matthew.

[Matthew Reynolds] Well, that’s it for this week’s show. Don’t forget to join us
next week. Until then, be well. This is Matthew Reynolds for A Cup of Health with
CDC.

[Announcer] To access the most accurate and relevant health information that
affects you, your family, and your community, please visit www.cdc.gov.