Behavorial Risk Factor Surveillance System
Personal health behaviors such as cigarette smoking, excessive drinking, poor eating habits, or lack of exercise have a major impact on the health of the population and contribute to the leading causes of disease and premature death.
Vermont and 49 other states and three territories track risk behaviors using a telephone survey of adults called the Behavioral Risk Factor Survey.
Since 1990, Vermont has participated in the BRFSS with other states and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC provides the Vermont Department of Health with funding each year to carry out the survey. Currently, Clearwater Research in Boise, Idaho is the interviewing contractor for Vermont.
In 2007, over 6,900 Vermonters were randomly and anonymously selected and called. An adult (18 or older) in the household is asked a uniform set of questions. The results are weighted by age and gender to represent the adult population of the state. The results are used to plan, support, and evaluate health promotion and disease prevention programs. These are used to track Healthy Vermonts 2010 goals, and many other BRFSS data reports.
For further information, please contact:
Rod McCormick, Ph.D.
Program Coordinator
802-863-7663