 Data
and Statistics
Surveys and Surveillance Systems
A survey examines public health issues by asking a sample of the
population about their health and lifestyles. The prevalence of health
conditions or behaviors in a population is measured using surveys.
A surveillance system is a series of surveys conducted again and again,
monitoring long-term trends in public health. A surveillance system is
used to examine public health issues across several years; to compare
information gathered, see the trends, track the ups and downs and
determine whether something is improving or worsening for a specific group
of people.
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
The BRFSS uses a population-based telephone survey to assess behavioral
health risk factors of American adults since 1984. The BRFSS provides
national and state data for following trends in obesity, physical
activity, and fruit and vegetable consumption.
National
Health Interview Survey (NHIS)
The NHIS is a household survey based at the National Center for
Health Statistics (NCHS) that has used family interviews to provide
national health statistics since 1957. Baseline statistics for
Healthy People 2010 objectives and for the Leading Indicators for physical
activity for adults come from this survey.
Nationwide
Personal Transportation Survey (NPTS)
The U.S. Department of Transportation conducts the NPTS to obtain
information on the amount and nature of daily travel of people in U.S.
households. The survey provides trend data beginning in 1969 on
walking, bicycling, and automobile transportation for the Active Community
Environments Initiative to promote physical activity through environmental
change.
Pediatric Nutrition Surveillance
System (PedNSS)
A system for continuously monitoring the nutritional status of
specific high-risk population groups, developed in 1972 by the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention in response to the United States Ten-State
Nutrition Survey.
Pregnancy Nutrition Surveillance
System (PNSS)
The Pregnancy Nutrition Surveillance System was developed by CDC in
order to assist health professionals in achieving the goals of identifying
and reducing pregnancy-related health risks that contribute to adverse
pregnancy outcomes.
Youth
Risk Behavior Surveillance System (YRBSS)
The YRBSS has been monitoring health-risk behaviors among youth in grades
9-12 since 1990, and is now administered in odd-numbered years. The YRBSS
includes a national school-based survey conducted by CDC as well as state,
territorial, and local school-based surveys conducted by education and
health agencies. Scientists use the YRBSS to investigate how nutrition and
physical activity behaviors are associated with other health-risk factors.
Surveillance Data & Analysis
5 A Day Data and
Statistics
The research tool allows you to compare fruit and vegetable
consumption nationwide to your state or compare your state to another
state by year. It also allows you to compare fruit and vegetable
consumption by different groupings such as BMI, physical activity, age,
education, income, race, and gender.
Obesity Trends
During the past 20 years there has been a dramatic increase in
obesity in the United States. Today, 20 states have obesity prevalence
rates of 15-19 percent; 29 states have rates of 20-24 percent; and one
state reports a rate over 25 percent.
U.S.
Physical Activity Statistics
What percent of the population in your city and state is physically
active? Find out in the physical activity statistics database. Search by
demographics and physical activity levels for a metropolitan area, state,
or national estimate.
An Explanation of U.S.
Physical Activity Surveys
Using several different national surveys, physical activity is tracked in
many age groups and at several levels for the United States national
public health objectives. This report provides a background for
understanding and comparing each of these surveys and methods.
Related Information
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