Behavioral Risk Factor Prevalence Surveys --
United States, First Quarter 1982
The Surgeon General's Report on Health Promotion and Disease
Prevention emphasized that simple measures to enhance the prospects
of
good health are within the practical grasp of most Americans (1).
A
variety of behavioral risk factors, e.g., alcohol misuse, cigarette
smoking, obesity, sedentary lifestyle, lack of seat belt use, and
uncontrolled hypertension, influence individual health. In 1982,
several states began obtaining data on these risk factors for the
first time.
During the first quarter of 1982, five states (Alabama,
Florida,
Nebraska, Virginia, and West Virginia) conducted behavioral risk
factor surveys. Preliminary analysis of data (Table 1) on adults
18
years and over indicates the following:
Acute, heavy drinking was higher for young adults (both
male
and female) ages 18-34 than for older adults; rates for
young
males were higher than those for young females.
Young men were more likely than older adults to drive
while
intoxicated.
At all ages, men, more frequently than women, reported
misuse
of alcohol.
Men were more likely than women to have a sedentary
lifestyle; for both sexes, sedentary living increased with
age.
Obesity was more prevalent in the middle adult ages
(35-54),
and was reported somewhat more often by women.
Cigarette smoking was more prevalent among men than women
and
was more prevalent for the middle ages (35-54 years).
Failure to use seat belts was widespread for all ages and
both sexes.
Uncontrolled hypertension increased with age.
These self-reported data were collected through random
digit-dialing telephone surveys utilizing a standard questionnaire
developed jointly by CDC and health education/risk reduction
personnel
of the five state health departments. The data are age-adjusted
and
weighted according to the respondents' probability of selection and
are therefore comparable from state to state. However, the small
sample size of subpopulations from state to state should be
considered
when making comparisons.
Reported by SE Jones, Bureau of Primary Prevention, Special Svcs
Div,
Alabama State Dept of Public Health; NB Watkins, Health Program
Office, Florida State Dept of Health and Rehabilitative Svcs; D
Snapp,
Community Health Education, Nebraska State Dept of Health; RP
Hyner,
Div of Health Education and Information, Virginia State Dept of
Health; AP Holmes, Health Statistics Center, West Virginia State
Dept
of Health; Div of Nutrition, Center for Health Promotion and
Education, CDC.
Editorial Note
Editorial Note: The particular behaviors addressed in these
studies
were selected because of their association with eight of the 10
leading causes of premature death; they may ultimately contribute
to
over half the premature mortality in the United States. Health
promotion and education programs are increasingly offered by
health,
education, volunteer, and other agencies that address these risk
factors. The relevance of the need for such programs is emphasized
by
the finding of a significant prevalence of practices that can
contribute to illness, injury, and premature death. For example,
although smoking levels have declined nationally, between
one-fourth
and one-third of adults in these five states reported smoking
cigarettes. For young adult males, acute, heavy drinking in the
previous month ranged from 32% to 48%, and up to 29% reported
driving
after drinking too much alcohol. These and similar data suggest
that
lifestyle change offers a substantial potential to individuals who
wish to reduce risks of disease, disability, and premature death.
These surveys represent a growing trend by state health
departments to collect behavioral risk factor information in their
efforts to monitor the health status of their citizens. Using a
standardized core questionnaire greatly enhances the ability of
states
to compare survey results and to gain additional insight and
support
for program decisions.
Reference
United States. Surgeon General's Office. Healthy people: the
Surgeon General's report on health promotion and disease
prevention. Rockville, Md.: Department of Health, Education,
and
Welfare 1979. (DHEW publication no. (PHS) 79-55071).
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