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Measuring Our Health, Tracking Our Progress with BRFSS

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is a state-based surveillance tool. Data are collected on health risk behaviors, preventive health practices, and healthcare access through monthly phone surveys; more than 350,000 adults are interviewed each year. For many states, the BRFSS is the only available source of timely, accurate data on health-related behaviors.

Established in 1984, CDC's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is the world's largest telephone health survey. The primary focus of these surveys has been on behaviors and conditions that are linked with the leading causes of death—heart disease, cancer, stroke, diabetes, and injury—and other important health issues.

Each year, CDC convenes a conference to determine the content of the BRFSS Survey Questionnaire for the subsequent year and update attendees regarding state-of-the-art behavioral risk factor monitoring, methodologies, and technological innovations. The 25th annual conference was held in March 2008 in Orlando, Florida. Using the theme, "BRFSS: Meeting Challenges and Staying Ahead," the conference brought together public health professionals from around the country and the world to discuss America's premier health surveillance tool.

The BRFSS is a state-based system of health surveys that collects information on health risk behaviors, preventive health practices, and healthcare access primarily related to chronic disease and injury. For many states, the BRFSS is the only available source of timely, accurate data on health-related behaviors. Currently, data are collected monthly in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, and Guam; more than 350,000 adults are interviewed each year. States use BRFSS data to identify emerging health problems, establish and track health objectives, and develop and evaluate public health policies and programs. Many states also use BRFSS data to support health-related legislative efforts.