Tracking Lifestyle Risk Factors

The lifestyle risk factor data available on the Tracking Network are collected as part of CDC's Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). BRFSS is a state-based system of health surveys that collects information on:

• lifestyle risk factors,
• preventive health practices, and
• health care access primarily related to chronic disease and injury.

BRFSS data are self-reported and reflect the opinions of respondents. Self-reported data have some limitations, but are still useful.

These data can be used by public health professionals to determine if certain health outcomes are related to the environment or if they could also be due to lifestyle risk factors such as smoking and lack of physical activity. The data can also be used by public health officials to determine the best public health actions to reduce modifiable lifestyle risk factors in their communities.