Disability and Health Data System (DHDS) Data Guide Demographics
Age
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System respondents were asked, “What is your age?” Respondents reported their age in years. Responses were grouped into three categories: 18-44, 45-64, and 65+ years.
Age data available: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021.
Sex
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System respondents were categorized as Male or Female.
Sex data available: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021.
Race/Ethnicity
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System respondents were asked, “Are you Hispanic or Latino?” and “Which one or more of the following would you say is your race?” Responses were grouped into seven categories*†: White, Black (or African American), Hispanic (or Latino), Asian, Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander (NHPI), American Indian or Alaska Native (AIAN), and Other/Multirace.
*For these analyses, all respondents identified as White, Black (or African American), Asian, NHPI, AIAN, or Other/Multirace were Non-Hispanic. Respondents identified as Hispanic might be of any race.
†For health topic indicators analyzed by disability status and race/ethnicity, responses were grouped into four categories: White, Black (or African American), Hispanic (or Latino), and Other/Multirace. Other/Multirace includes any respondent not identified as White, Black, or Hispanic.
Race/Ethnicity data available: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021.
Veteran Status
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System respondents were asked, “Have you ever served on active duty in the United States Armed Forces, either in the regular military or in a National Guard or military reserve unit? Active duty does not include training for the Reserves or National Guard, but DOES include activation, for example, for the Persian Gulf War.” Responses were grouped into two categories: Yes and No.
Veteran Status data available: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021.
Income Level
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System respondents were asked about their annual household income: “Is your annual household income from all sources—” Responses were grouped into five categories: <$15,000, $15,000 to <$25,000, $25,000 to <$35,000, $35,000 to <$50,000, and $50,000+.
Income Level data available: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021.
Education Level
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System respondents were asked about their education level: “What is the highest grade or year of school you completed?” Responses were grouped into three categories: Some High School or Less, High School Graduate*, and College Graduate.
*High School Graduate includes respondents with some college education.
Education Level data available: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021.
Marital Status
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System respondents were asked about their marital status: “Are you—married, divorced, widowed, separated, never married or a member of an unmarried couple?” Responses were grouped into four categories: Married/Unmarried Couple, Divorced/Separated, Widowed, and Never Married.
Marital Status data available: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021.
Employment Status
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System respondents were asked about their current employment status: “Are you currently—employed for wages, self-employed, out of work for 1 year or more, out of work for less than 1 year, a homemaker, a student, retired or unable to work?” Responses were grouped into four categories: Employed, Out of Work, Unable to Work, and Other*.
*Other consists of homemakers, students, and retirees.
Employment Status data available: 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, and 2021.
