Website Main Menu

BRFSS Program Description

The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System is a unique, state-based surveillance system active in all 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the Virgin Islands, and Guam. This system is the primary source of state-based information on health risk behaviors among adult populations and is the largest continuously conducted telephone health survey in the world.

Scientific research clearly shows personal health behaviors play a major role in premature morbidity and mortality. Thus, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has worked with the states to develop questions designed to gather information from adults regarding their knowledge, attitudes, and practices related to behaviors associated with preventable chronic diseases, injuries, and infectious diseases.

Information on age, sex, racial and ethnic background, education, and other demographic factors is gathered so that estimates can be made for specific population groups and interventions can be directed to people at greatest risk. Visit the Questionnaires section of this site to learn more about the survey instruments used in BRFSS. An informative brochure entitled "Turning Information into Health" also provides a general overview about the BRFSS program.

The following list highlights the wide variety of ways in which BRFSS data have been utilized since Montana began survey participation in 1984. The information was used to help:

  • Evaluate access to health care for Montana's citizens.
  • Assist Fish, Wildlife & Parks and Cardiovascular Health Program in identifying outdoor recreation use to help plan statewide programs in parks and outdoor recreation.
  • Develop the Montana Diabetes Control Plan and assess immunization rates among respondents with diabetes as well as diabetes prevalence rates in Native Americans.
  • Perform a dental needs assessment and present health awareness activities to the public.
  • Create a worksite wellness project on heart attack signs and symptoms.
  • Identify smokers, smokeless tobacco users, and other tobacco users in order to evaluate trends in tobacco use and develop intervention strategies.
  • Monitor public attitudes towards traffic safety issues and evaluate the efficacy of public education programs.
  • Develop and establish priorities for a Cardiovascular Disease Prevention and Control Plan for Montana.
  • Track environmental health factors and provide data for an in-depth asthma study.
  • Establish a long-term plan to promote the health of adult Montanans with mobility impairments and developmental disabilities.
  • Assist in the development of intervention strategies for HIV prevention among Native Americans.
  • Develop the Montana Health Agenda and State Nutrition Plan.
  • Identify the use of mammography and Pap tests by women without insurance to develop outreach campaigns
Montana BRFSS