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

• 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.  [Online ahead of print].
• 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

• New Hampshire Occupational Health Surveillance Program [March 2020]. Asthma Prevalence among New Hampshire Workers, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2014-2016.pdf iconexternal icon
• Find State Reports in the State-based Occupational Health Clearinghouse.
• 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

• State Spotlight: Wisconsin. Summer 2017.pdf icon
• State Spotlight: Louisiana. Spring 2017.pdf icon
• State Spotlight: New Hampshire. Fall 2016.pdf icon
• State Spotlight: New Hampshire. Fall 2014.pdf icon
• State Spotlight: Washington. Summer 2014.pdf icon
• State Spotlight: Massachusetts. Spring 2014.pdf icon

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.