The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH)

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)

Publications and Related Resources

Websites

CDC’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Main Website.
NIOSH Industry and Occupation Coding Resources.
NIOSH State-based Occupational Health Clearinghouse – search for state reports produced by states using the BRFSS data. The Clearinghouse also offers other state-produced publications that center on workplace safety and health surveillance.

Journal Articles

Boal WL, Li J, Silver SR [2021]. Health care access among essential critical infrastructure workers, 31 states, 2017-2018. Public Health Rep. [Online ahead of print].
Health Care Access Among Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers, 31 States, 2017-2018 – PubMed (nih.gov)external icon
Shockey TM, Tsai RJ, Cho P [2020]. Prevalence of diagnosed diabetes among employed U.S. adults by demographic characteristics and occupation, 36 states, 2014-2018. J Occup Environ Med. [Online ahead of print].
Prevalence of Diagnosed Diabetes Among Employed U.S. Adults by Demographic Characteristics and Occupation, 36 States, 2014-2018 – PubMed (nih.gov)external icon
Fitzsimmons K, Pechter E, Sparer-Fine E [2020]. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and employment among Massachusetts adults.external icon Prev Chronic Dis. Nov 19;17:E144.
CDC [2020]. Prevalence of Underlying Medical Conditions Among Selected Essential Critical Infrastructure Workers — Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 31 States, 2017–2018. MMWR 69:1244–1249.
Shockey TM, Esser MB [2020]. Binge drinking by occupation groups among currently employed U.S. adults in 32 states, 2013–2016.external icon Subst Use Misuse. 55:1968-1979.
Boal WL, Li J, Dong XS, Sussell A [2020]. Health risk behavior profile of construction workers, 32 states, 2013-2016.external icon J Occup Environ Med. 62:493‒502.
Yeoman K, Sussell A, Retzer K, Poplin G [2020]. Health risk factors among miners, oil and gas extraction workers, other manual labor workers, and nonmanual labor workers, BRFSS 2013-2017, 32 states.external icon Workplace Health Saf. 68:391-401.
Speir C, Ridings C, Marcum J, Drexler M, Norman K [2020]. Measuring health conditions and behaviours in fishing industry participants and fishing communities using the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).external icon ICES Journal of Marine Science.
Mendy VL, Vargas R, Ogungbe O, Zhang L [2020]. Hypertension among Mississippi workers by sociodemographic characteristics and occupation, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.external icon Int J Hypertens.
Silver S, Boiano J, Li J [2020]. Patient care aides: Differences in healthcare coverage, health-related behaviors, and health outcomes in a low-wage workforce by healthcare setting.external icon Am J Ind Med. 63:60-73.
Howard N, Marcum J [2020]. Comparison of BRFSS data between home-based care providers and health care support workers in clinical environments in Washington State.external icon Workplace Health Saf. 68:92-102.
Anderson NJ, Marcum JL [2019]. Using Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data as an occupational health profile: Washington State janitors, 2011 to 2017.external icon J Occup Environ Med. 61:747‒753.
Wang L, Rosenman K [2018]. Adverse health outcomes among industrial and occupational sectors in Michiganexternal icon. Prev Chronic Dis. Aug 9;15:E102.
Cook MA, Gazmararian J [2018]. The association between long work hours and leisure-time physical activity and obesityexternal icon. Prev Med Rep. 10:271-277.
CDC [2018]. Health insurance coverage by occupation among adults aged 18-64 years — 17 states, 2013‒2014. MMWR 67:593-598.
CDC [2018]. Current marijuana use by industry and occupation — Colorado, 2014‒2015. MMWR 67:409‒413.
O’Halloran AC, Lu P, Meyer SA, Williams WW, Schumacher PK, Sussell AL, Birdsey JE, Boal WL, Sweeney MH, Luckhaupt SE, Black CL, Santibanez TA [2018]. Tdap vaccination among healthcare personnel—21 states, 2013.external icon Am J Prev Med 54:119-123.
Birdsey J, Sussell AL [2017]. Prevalence of obesity, no leisure-time physical activity, and short sleep duration among occupational groups in 29 states.external icon JOEM 59:1221-1228.
Fujishiro K, Farley AN, Kellemen M, Swoboda CM [2017]. Exploring associations between state education initiatives and teachers’ sleep: A social-ecological approach.external icon Soc Sci Med 191: 151-159.
Shockey TM, Zack M, Sussell A [2017]. Health-related quality of life among US workers: variability across occupation groupsexternal icon. Am J Public Health 107:1316-1323.
O’Halloran AC, Lu PJ, Williams WW, Schumacher P, Sussell A, Birdsey J, Boal WL, Sweeney MH, Luckhaupt SE, Black CL, Santibanez TA [2017]. Influenza vaccination among workers—21 U.S. states, 2013.external icon Am J Infect Control 45:410-416.
Marcum JL, Chin B, Anderson NJ, Bonauto DK [2017]. Self-reported work-related injury or illness — Washington, 2011‒2014. MMWR 66:302‒306.
CDC [2017]. Short sleep duration by occupation group — 29 states, 2013‒2014. MMWR 66:207‒213.
CDC [2016]. Asthma among employed adults, by industry and occupation — 21 States, 2013. MMWR 65:1325‒1331.
CDC [2016]. Cardiovascular health status by occupational group — 21 states, 2013. MMWR 65:794-798.
CDC [2016]. Seat belt use among adult workers — 21 states, 2013. MMWR 65:593-597.
Towle M, Tolliver R, Bui AG, Warner A, Van Dyke M [2015]. Adding industry and occupation questions to the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System: new opportunities in public health surveillance.external icon Public Health Rep. 130:153-60.
Anderson NJ, Fan ZJ, Reeb-Whitaker C, Bonauto DK, Rauser E [2014]. Distribution of asthma by occupation: Washington State Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System data, 2006‒2009.external icon J Asthma 51:1035‒1042.
Bonauto DK, Lu D, Fan ZJ [2014]. Obesity prevalence by occupation in Washington State, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.external icon Prev Chronic Dis 11:130219.
Anderson NJ, Bonauto DK, Fan ZJ, Spector JT [2012]. Distribution of influenza-like illness (ILI) by occupation in Washington State, September 2009‒August 2010.external icon PLoS One 7:e48806.
Fan ZJ, Bonauto DK, Foley MP, Anderson NJ, Yragui NL, Silverstein BA [2012]. Occupation and the prevalence of current depression and frequent mental distress, WA BRFSS 2006 and 2008.external icon Am J Ind Med 55:893‒903.
Fan ZJ, Anderson NJ, Foley M, Rauser E, Silverstein, BA [2011]. The persistent gap in health-care coverage between low- and high-income workers in Washington State: BRFSS, 2003‒2007.external icon Public Health Rep 126:690‒699.
Jarman DW, Naimi TS, Pickard SP, Daley WR, De AK [2007]. Binge drinking and occupation, North Dakota, 2004‒2005.external icon Prev Chronic Dis 4:A94.
Fan ZJ, Bonauto DK, Foley MP, Silverstein BA [2006]. Underreporting of work-related injury or illness to workers’ compensation: individual and industry factors.external icon J Occup Environ Med 48:914‒922.

State Reports

Connecticut Department of Public Health, Health Statistics and Surveillance Section [March 2019]. The Health of Connecticut Workers, An Analysis of Health Indicators from the 2014‒2016 Connecticut Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey by Industry and Occupation.pdf iconexternal icon
New Hampshire Occupational Health Surveillance Program [March 2020]. Asthma Prevalence among New Hampshire Workers, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2014-2016.pdf iconexternal icon
Vermont Department of Health [August 2018]. Adult Workforce Health Summary, 2015 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Data.pdf iconexternal icon
Michigan State University. [Spring 2017]. Prevalence in Michigan of cigarette smoking, COPD and asthma by occupation and industry. Project S.E.N.S.O.R News.pdf iconexternal icon
Massachusetts Department of Health [Fall 2016]. Asthma in Massachusetts Home Care Aides. Occupational Lung Disease Bulletin, Data Brief.pdf iconexternal icon
New Hampshire Comprehensive Cancer Collaboration. [November 2016.] Examining Preventive Cancer Screening Rates among Vulnerable Adults in New Hampshirepdf iconexternal icon.
Vermont Department of Health [November 2016]. General Worksite Wellness — Data Brief (4 of 4), 2014 Vermont Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).pdf iconexternal icon
Vermont Department of Health [October 2016]. Worksite Wellness & Risk Behaviors — Data Brief (3 of 4), 2014 Vermont Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).pdf iconexternal icon
Vermont Department of Health [September 2016]. Worksite Wellness: Chronic Disease — Data Brief, 2014 Vermont Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).pdf iconexternal icon
Vermont Department of Health [September 2016]. Worksite Wellness — Data Brief (1 of 4), 2014 Vermont Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).pdf iconexternal icon
Washington State Department of Labor and Industries [September 2016]. BRFSS 2012‒2014: Demographic and Employment Characteristics of Cell Phone Only Respondents.pdf iconexternal icon
Louisiana Department of Health [May 2016]. Louisiana Service Worker Wellness Report, Results from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 2013 and 2014.pdf iconexternal icon
Massachusetts Department of Public Health [January 2016]. Putting Data to Work, 23 Health Indicators by Occupation and Industry: Findings from the Massachusetts Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2012-2013.pdf iconexternal icon
Utah Department of Health [September 2015]. Utah Health Status Update: Industry and Occupation Impact on Health.pdf iconexternal icon
New Hampshire Division of Public Health Services [June 2015].Utilization of the NH Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to Better Understand Under-Reporting of Work-Related Injuries.pdf iconexternal icon
New Hampshire Division of Public Health Services [November 2014]. Asthma Prevalence among New Hampshire Workers, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2011-2012.pdf iconexternal icon
Montana Department of Labor and Industry [July 2014]. Industry and Occupation in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS): a Data Comparison.external icon
New Hampshire Division of Public Health Services [April 2014]. Health Behaviors of New Hampshire Healthcare Workers NH BRFSS.pdf iconexternal icon
Massachusetts Department of Public Health [April 2014]. A Profile of Health among Massachusetts Adults, 2012: Results from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.pdf iconexternal icon
New Mexico Department of Health [March 2014]. Occupation and Health in New Mexico.external icon
Massachusetts Department of Health [Fall 2013]. On-the-job exposure to environmental tobacco smoke (ETS) in Massachusettspdf iconexternal icon.
Massachusetts Department of Public Health [October 2012]. Burden of Asthma among Massachusetts Service Workers, 2010pdf iconexternal icon.
New Hampshire Division of Public Health Services [June 2011]. Using the 2008 NH Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) to Estimate the Number of Work-related Injuries with Associated Payer.pdf iconexternal icon
Massachusetts Department of Health [2010].Use of an Industry Sector Pick List to Collect Industry of Employment in the Massachusetts Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).pdf iconexternal icon

BRFSS Newsletter Articles

Presentations

Tippani SR, Zhang L, Vargas R. Mississippi State Department of Health. Prevalence of Cigarette Smoking by Industry and Occupation among Mississippi Adults.external icon CSTE Annual Meeting, June 2016.
Anderson NJ, Fan J, Bonauto DK, Lu W. Using the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) for Occupational Health. (Washington).pdf iconexternal icon BRFSS Data Users Webinar, August 2014.

Page last reviewed: April 7, 2021

Content source: National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health