Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)

The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) collects state-specific data on preventive health practices and risk behaviors linked to chronic diseases, injuries, and preventable infectious diseases that affect adults.

BRFSS is a collaborative program conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in which all 50 states, three U.S. territories, and the District of Columbia participate.  BRFSS data are collected annually through a phone survey. Survey respondents are non-institutionalized adults (18 years or older) living in the U.S.

This page provides information for BRFSS users, researchers, public health professionals, and health departments on how the BRFSS survey has been used to gain knowledge about worker health.

The Publications and Related Resources page lists the journal articles and state reports that have used industry and occupation data in the BRFSS survey.

The data collected in 2013, 2014, and 2015 are available in the interactive NIOSH Worker Health Charts tool. These charts show the prevalence of access to health care and important health behaviors and outcomes among various industry and occupation groups.

If you have questions about the BRFSS industry and occupation data, please email brfssio@cdc.gov.