The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), also known as the Virginia Adult Health Survey (VAHS), is one of three population health surveys that the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) implements to understand health-related behaviors of Virginians. Specifically, this survey collects data through monthly telephone interviews with adults aged 18 years or older. BRFSS interviewers ask questions related to behaviors that are associated with preventable chronic diseases, injuries, and infectious diseases. The BRFSS is completed by health departments of all states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam with assistance from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). BRFSS is the largest continuously conducted telephone health surveillance system in the world. States use BRFSS data to identify emerging health problems, establish health objectives and track their progress, and develop and evaluate public health policies and programs where needed. Use the navigation below to view three available dashboards:
- Annual trend of indicators by geography
- Bar chart of indicators by demographic characteristics
- Table form of indicators by demographic characteristics
Survey calls for the Virginia BRFSS are taking place right now! If you receive a phone call from 804-864-7686 on behalf of the Virginia Department of Health asking you to answer some questions about your health and health practices, this call is real. Calls may occur seven days a week from 9am to 8:45pm, including Saturdays from 10am to 2pm and Sundays from 1pm to 5pm.