A comparison of demographic characteristics of selected year 2000 health objectives for the United States, using behavioral risk factor surveillance system data for Alaska.
OBJECTIVE
The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is a nationally developed and state-administered telephone survey which monitors the health behaviors and practices of adults aged 18 and older. One use of the survey is to monitor progress towards some of the Year 2000 Health Objectives for the United States.


METHODS
Alaska has been conducting BRFSS monthly since January 1991, collecting approximately 128 interviews each month, for a yearly yield of approximately 1,530. Survey design allows for the aggregation of data over several years to accumulate sufficient sample size to look at health behaviors in subgroups of interest. We look at progress towards Year 2000 objectives for Alaska by various demographic characteristics: age, gender, education, employment, and geographic region.


RESULTS
Survey data such as BRFSS can be used to monitor health behaviors and practices in a population in a cost-efficient and systematic manner.
Ingle
D E
DE
Department of Health and Social Services, Anchorage, Alaska, USA.
Owen
P G
PG
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000413:Alaska; D005260:Female; D005544:Forecasting; D015438:Health Behavior; D006293:Health Promotion / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D006304:Health Status; D006305:Health Status Indicators; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D014481:United States