Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance, 1991: monitoring progress toward the nation's year 2000 health objectives.

PROBLEM/CONDITION: Risk reduction is a major focus of the national health objectives for the year 2000. Progress toward several of these objectives can be evaluated by using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Year 2000 objective areas measurable by BRFSS data include those for overweight, lack of physical activity, smoking, safety belt use, and medical screening for breast and cervical cancer and elevated blood cholesterol. BRFSS data have been used to guide health promotion/disease prevention programs. REPORTING PERIOD: 1991. DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEM: BRFSS is a state-based random-digit-dialing telephone survey of noninstitutionalized adults (> or = 18 years of age); 47 states and the District of Columbia participated in BRFSS in 1991. RESULTS: Some year 2000 objectives appear to be readily attainable for many states, whereas others do not. For example, among participating states, a median 57.8% (range = 45.6%-82.8%) of women ages > or = 50 years reported having had both a clinical breast examination and a mammogram in the previous 2 years (year 2000 objective: > or = 60%). In contrast, a median 37.3% (range = 22.1%-52.5%) of persons with annual family income < $20,000 reported that they did not engage in leisure-time physical activity--more than twice the year 2000 objective (> or = 17%). INTERPRETATION: BRFSS data demonstrate substantial state-to-state variation in progress toward year 2000 objectives and highlight areas (e.g., lack of leisure-time physical activity) in which substantial progress remains to be made in most states. Action taken: The BRFSS will continue to report data that relate to year 2000 health objectives. BRFSS data will enable states to monitor progress toward these objectives and develop health policies aimed at achieving them.

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System: summary of data for 1991.

PROBLEM/CONDITION: High-risk behaviors, such as smoking cigarettes and driving under the influence of alcohol, contribute heavily to morbidity and mortality from noninfectious disease and injury. Substantial variation exists among states in the prevalences of these behaviors. REPORTING PERIOD: 1991. DESCRIPTION OF SYSTEM: The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is a state-based random-digit-dialing telephone survey of noninstitutionalized adults (> or = 18 years of age). In 1991, 47 states and the District of Columbia participated in BRFSS. The system focuses on behaviors that are related to one or more of the 10 leading causes of death. In 1991, BRFSS also began collecting data on self-reported lack of health insurance. RESULTS: As in previous years, BRFSS data for 1991 indicate substantial state-to-state variation in the prevalence of risk factors such as chronic or binge alcohol consumption, sedentary lifestyle, and overweight. In addition to measures reported in previous years, the current report includes state prevalences of high blood cholesterol awareness (range = 13.5%-21.5%; median = 16.9%) and lack of health insurance (range = 7.2%-25.7%; median = 14.5%). INTERPRETATION: Because prevalence estimates vary considerably from state to state, state estimates may be preferable to national ones for use in planning programs. ACTIONS TAKEN: The BRFSS will continue to provide state-specific data about health behaviors to allow states to monitor trends that affect the burden of chronic diseases in the United States.

Characteristics of pet populations and households in the Purdue Comparative Oncology Program catchment area, 1988.

A 1-stage, random-digit dial telephone survey was conducted to obtain information on characteristics of pet populations and pet-owning households in 1988 in Marion and Tippecanoe Counties, Indiana. Interviews for 653 out of 731 eligible households were completed (response rate, 88%). Approximately half of the households in each county owned a pet. Of these, 35% owned at least 1 dog, and 23% owned at least 1 cat. Households with pets were more likely to be larger and have a higher median income score than were households without pets. Households with children between 6 and 17 years old were more likely to own pets than were households with no children; however, no difference in pet ownership proportions was determined for households with children < or = 5 years old, compared with households without children. For dogs, younger dogs and male dogs were less likely to have been neutered than older dogs and female dogs. Older cats were more likely to have been neutered than younger cats, with neutering percentages of > 90% for cats in the oldest age group. Approximately 20% of dogs and 40% of cats had not been seen by a veterinarian in the 12 months preceding the interview.

Pet populations in the catchment area of the Purdue Comparative Oncology Program.

Using a 1-stage random-digit dial telephone survey, we estimated the number of pet dogs and cats and cancer case ascertainment in the principal catchment area of an animal tumor registry in Indiana, the Purdue Comparative Oncology Program (PCOP). These findings will assist in the estimation of pet cancer incidence rates for the PCOP. The estimated canine and feline populations for Marion County were 144,039 (95% confidence interval, 121,555 to 166,523) and 94,998 (74,384 to 115,648), respectively. For Tippecanoe County (excluding university housing residences), the estimated canine population was 18,000 (14,445 to 21,555), whereas the estimated feline population was 17,165 (12,569 to 21,761). The estimated cancer case ascertainment was 88.3% (dogs, 92.5%; cats, 83.0%) with no statistically significant difference in the estimated ascertainment by county of residence or by species of pet. The amount that owners report themselves willing to pay for treatment of cancer in dogs or cats, however, differed in counties polled. This method's appropriateness for estimating pet populations in general and the validity of the data gathered were supported by response rate of 88.0% and by concurrence with census data for household characteristics previously documented to be associated with pet dog and cat ownership.

Behavioral risk factor surveillance, 1986-1990.

Since 1984, an increasing number of states (including the District of Columbia) have participated in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). This report provides state-specific estimates of the prevalence of selected health-risk behaviors for the years 1986 through 1990. Apparent trends and progress toward several of the year 2000 national health objectives are discussed, both for the entire adult population (persons ages greater than or equal to 18 years) and selected high-risk demographic subgroups. Now that BRFSS includes 45 states and covers over 90% of the nation's adult population, it can be used both as a measure of state-specific risk factor prevalence and an indicator of national trends.