Expanded Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (Expanded BRFSS)

The Expanded Risk Factor Surveillance System (Expanded BRFSS) augments the CDC Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), which is conducted annually in New York State. Expanded BRFSS is a random-digit-dialed telephone survey among adults 18 years of age and older representative of the civilian population with landline and cellular telephones living in New York State. The goal of Expanded BRFSS surveys is to collect county-specific data on preventive health practices, risk behaviors, injuries and preventable chronic and infectious diseases. Topics assessed by the Expanded BRFSS include tobacco use, physical inactivity, diet, use of cancer screening services, and other factors linked to the leading causes of morbidity and mortality.

2021 Expanded BRFSS

The 2021 annual BRFSS was designed to support estimates for all 62 New York counties, in addition to the usual statewide and regional estimates, and to be comparable to previous expanded BRFSS surveys. The survey design targeted a minimum of 400 completed interviews for each county. The final number of interviews in each county varies because of the sampling design of the survey and differential response rates. The 2021 annual BRFSS questionnaire content was selected to be consistent with previous expanded BRFSS surveys. In some cases, question wording and/or indicator definitions have been updated to best reflect current understanding. Some emerging topics were included in the 2021 BRFSS questionnaire that had not previously been asked, and some topics from previous expanded BRFSS surveys were dropped for 2021. Data were collected between January 1, 2021 and December 31, 2021.

A file containing data from the 2021 BRFSS is available upon request. Requestors will need to complete a data request form, including a confidentiality agreement. The data request form can be obtained by calling the NYS BRFSS coordinator at (518) 473-0673, or by sending an email to brfss@health.ny.gov.

Aggregated 2021 data for over fifty health indicators at the county, region, and state levels is available from Health Data NY. These indicators are in a single customizable and downloadable table. The table contains 2021, 2018, 2016 and 2013-14 expanded BRFSS data and county-level data, to support trend analysis.

2018 Expanded BRFSS

The 2018 annual BRFSS was designed to support estimates for all 62 New York counties, in addition to the usual statewide and regional estimates, and to be comparable to previous expanded BRFSS surveys. The survey design targeted a minimum of 400 completed interviews for each county. The final number of interviews in each county varies because of the sampling design of the survey and differential response rates. The 2018 annual BRFSS questionnaire content was selected to be consistent with previous expanded BRFSS surveys. In some cases, question wording and/or indicator definitions have been updated to best reflect current understanding. Some emerging topics were included in the 2018 BRFSS questionnaire that had not previously been asked, and some topics from previous expanded BRFSS surveys were dropped for 2018. Data were collected between January 1, 2018 and December 31, 2018.

A file containing data from the 2018 BRFSS is available upon request. Requestors will need to complete a data request form, including a confidentiality agreement. The data request form can be obtained by calling the NYS BRFSS coordinator at (518) 473-0673, or by sending an email to brfss@health.ny.gov.

Aggregated 2018 data for forty-five health indicators at the county, region, and state levels is available from Health Data NY. These indicators are in a single customizable and downloadable table. The table contains 2018, 2016 and 2013-14 expanded BRFSS data and county-level data, to support trend analysis.

2016 Expanded BRFSS

The 2016 annual BRFSS was designed to support estimates for all 62 New York counties, in addition to the usual statewide and regional estimates, and to be comparable to previous expanded BRFSS surveys. The survey design targeted a minimum of 400 completed interviews for each county. The final number of interviews in each county varies because of the sampling design of the survey and differential response rates. The 2016 annual BRFSS questionnaire content was selected to be consistent with previous expanded BRFSS surveys. In some cases, question wording and/or indicator definitions have been updated to best reflect current understanding. Some emerging topics were included in the 2016 BRFSS questionnaire that had not previously been asked, and some topics from previous expanded BRFSS surveys were dropped for 2016. Data were collected between January 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016.

A file containing data from the 2016 BRFSS is available upon request. Requestors will need to complete a data request form, including a confidentiality agreement. The data request form can be obtained by calling the NYS BRFSS coordinator at (518) 473-0673, or by sending an email to brfss@health.ny.gov.

2013 - 2014 Expanded BRFSS

For the 2013-14 Expanded BRFSS, survey data collection occurred in 58 geographic areas of New York State, including each of the 57 counties outside of New York City and New York City (5 counties) as a single area. A standard questionnaire was utilized in all areas. Data collection for the 2013-14 Expanded BRFSS took place during the period of April 2013-March 2014. The goal was to complete at least 400 interviews in each area. The final number of interviews varies because of the sampling design of the survey and differential response rates. The 2013-14 Expanded BRFSS survey was designed and implemented in a similar manner as the annual BRFSS surveys.

A file containing data from the 2013-14 Expanded BRFSS is available upon request. Requestors will need to complete a data request form, including a confidentiality agreement. The data request form can be obtained by calling the NYS BRFSS Coordinator at (518) 473-0673, or by sending an email to brfss@health.ny.gov.

2008 - 2009 Expanded BRFSS

For the 2008-09 Expanded BRFSS, survey data collection occurred in 58 geographic areas of New York State, including each of the 57 counties outside of New York City and New York City (5 counties) as a single area. A standard questionnaire was utilized in all areas. Data collection for the 2008-09 Expanded BRFSS took place during the period of July 2008 through June 2009. The goal was to complete about 650 interviews in each area. The final number of interviews varies because of the sampling design of the survey and differential response rates.

2002 - 2003 Expanded BRFSS

The 2002-03 Expanded BRFSS survey was conducted from July 2002 through July 2003 in 38 localities (individual counties and county groupings) comprising the entire state. Neighboring rural counties were grouped into logical planning areas in consultation with the New York State Association of County Health Officials. Administration of the random digit dialed telephone survey closely adhered to the annual BRFSS survey protocol procedures developed by CDC.

The target sample size for each locality was 640 completed interviews, with the final number varying according to local sampling variability and response rates. The Expanded BRFSS questionnaire was constructed of standard BRFSS items and modules developed by the CDC. Questionnaire development began with the selection of a common set of Core items and modules to be asked in each of the 38 localities. Representatives from each county and from DOH programs prioritized topics to constitute Core set of questionnaire items asked in all localities. Each locality was then allowed to select Optional items and modules of particular interest to their respective area to complete the balance of their specific questionnaire. In localities opting not to select Optional questionnaire items, a Standard questionnaire developed by DOH was administered.

Requests for additional information, or materials in an alternate format can be made by sending an e-mail message to brfss@health.ny.gov.