FoodNet has conducted four 12-month cycles of the
Population Survey, a population-based survey, in 1996-1997,
1998-1999, 2000-2001, and 2002-2003. The purpose of
the surveys is to more precisely estimate the burden
of acute diarrheal illness in the United States, and
the frequency of important exposures. FoodNet Population
Survey data are useful in determining the prevalence
and severity of self-reported diarrheal illness, common
symptoms associated with diarrhea and the proportion
of persons with diarrhea who seek care. Exposures
that might be risk factors for foodborne illness,
such as the consumption of potentially "risky"
foods or recent travel out of the United States, are
included as questions on the survey instrument and
are asked in conjunction with illness questions.
The population surveys are administered by MACRO
International using a standard Behavioral Risk Factor
Surveillance System (BRFSS) methodology. During the
study period, persons are contacted by using a single-stage
random digit dialing technique called Genesys-ID.
This sampling system allows for the removal of nonworking
and business telephones. One respondent is randomly
selected from each household contacted. A computer
algorithm is used to select one household member,
based upon the total number of males and females in
the household. All age groups are eligible for inclusion;
if a child aged 12 years or under is selected, a parent
is interviewed to ascertain information about the
child's exposures. In every site, approximately the
same number of interviews are conducted each month.
Since 2002, the survey has been administered in both
English and Spanish.
2002-2003 FoodNet Population Survey
The 2002-2003 Population Survey was launched in
March 2002 in both English and Spanish and was conducted
for 12 consecutive months.
2002-2003
Atlas of Exposures
2000-2001 FoodNet Population Survey
The 2000-2001 population survey was conducted in
eight FoodNet sites (CA, CT, GA, MD, MN, NY, OR, and
TN) for 12 consecutive months from February 2000 through
January 2001. The total population of these eight
sites, according to 2000 United States Census Bureau
estimates, was 33 million persons, 12% of the US population.
A link to the Atlas of Exposures, which contains an
8-way stratification of exposures responses, is included
below.
(An electronic copy of the 2000-2001 Atlas of
Exposures is not currently available. Please use the
contact information to the right to request a printed
copy.)
1998-1999 FoodNet Population Survey
The 1998-1999 population survey was conducted in
seven FoodNet sites (California, Connecticut, Georgia,
Maryland, Minnesota, New York and Oregon) for 12 consecutive
months from February 1998 through February 1999. The
total population of these seven sites, according to
1998 United States Census Bureau estimates, was approximately
29 million, 11% of the U.S. population.
Based on the information collected in the 1998-1999
Population Survey, FoodNet created an Atlas of Exposures.
The Atlas of Exposures contains an 8-way stratification
of exposures responses. A link to the atlas is included
below.
(An electronic copy of the 1998-1999 Atlas of
Exposures is not currently available. Please use the
contact information to the right to request a printed
copy.)
1996-1997 FoodNet Population Survey
The 1996-1997 Population Survey was conducted in
five FoodNet sites (California, Connecticut, Georgia,
Minnesota and Oregon) for 12 consecutive months from
July 1996 through July 1997. In 1996, the total population
in the five sites was approximately 14 million; this
represented 8% of the U.S. population.
(An electronic copy of the 1996-1997 Atlas of
Exposures is not currently available. Please use the
contact information to the right to request a printed
copy.)
