BRFSS 2019-2022 Justification Part A March 8 final

BRFSS 2019-2022 Justification Part A March 8 final.docx

2019 Field Test Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)

OMB: 0920-1061

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Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)



OMB No. 0920-1061, Exp. Date 3/31/2021


Revision


Supporting Statement


Part A: Justification

March 8, 2019





Submitted by:

Division of Population Health

National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Atlanta, Georgia

Contents





Attachments List


  1. Authorizing Legislation: Public Health Service Act

  2. List of BRFSS Awardees

3a. Even-numbered Year Core Questionnaire

3b. Odd-numbered Year Core Questionnaire

4. Approved Optional Modules

5. 2019 BRFSS Questionnaire

6a. Federal Register Notice

6b. Summary of Public Comments

7a. Adult Population and BRFSS Sample Size By State, 2016

7b. BRFSS Sampling Geostrata by State

7c. BRFSS Weighting Process

7d. BRFSS Overview

8. Landline and Cell Phone Screener Script/ Verbal Consent

9. Optional Modules by State

10. Data Collectors’ Protocol

11. Summary Data Quality Report for 2015

12. BRFSS Questionnaire Development Process

13. Example of Annual Field Test Supplement

14. Cognitive and Field Test Results for New Questions/ Modules





Shape1


  • Goal. To conduct Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) surveys in collaboration with U.S. states, territories, and the District of Columbia. The surveys will produce state- or sub-state jurisdiction-level data about health-related risk behaviors, chronic health conditions, use of preventive services, and emerging health issues. CDC conducts an annual field test to prepare for the primary BRFSS information collection.

  • How data will be used. CDC and BRFSS partners use BRFSS data to plan for and evaluate public health programs at the (sub) state level. For most states, BRFSS data is the only source of health information that is targeted to state and local public health needs. CDC also creates a national level dataset that is used by HHS to evaluate its progress toward Healthy People 2020 goals and other policy needs.

  • Methods of collection. Each year, an independent sample of respondents is drawn for each participating state or jurisdiction. Information collection is conducted in a continuous, three-part telephone interview: screening, participation in the common BRFSS core, and participation in optional modules that states may use to customize survey content for their specific needs. Interviews are conducted on telephone landlines and mobile telephones. A few US territories with low telephone coverage conduct in-person interviews. Each state or territory coordinates BRFSS administration within its jurisdiction.

  • Respondent population. Adults > 18 years of age who live in private households or college housing.

  • Analysis techniques. Each state or territory submits a de-identified dataset to CDC for cleaning, weighting, and compilation. Because sample size and survey content vary by state or territory, CDC provides guidance on statistically appropriate uses of BRFSS data and technical assistance, as needed, on survey content and administration.






  1. Justification

  1. Circumstances Making the Collection of Information Necessary


The National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion (NCCDPHP) was established at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to provide coordinated leadership and support for prevention and control programs specifically related to chronic diseases or conditions. NCCDPHP works with partners from multiple sectors of society to create and disseminate expertise, information, and tools that reduce the burden of disease on the American public, and to identify populations that are most in need of strategies to promote physical and mental health and prevent disease. Key partners within CDC include the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases (NCIRD), the National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH), the National Institute of Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), the National Center for Injury Prevention and Control (NCIPC), the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention (NCHHSTP), the Office of Public Health Preparedness and Response (OPHPR), and the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). Surveillance efforts that quantify disease and risk factors, and identify opportunities for prevention, are central to CDC’s planning and evaluation efforts. CDC’s authority to collect information for this purpose is provided by the Public Health Service Act (Attachment 1).


Scientific research has identified personal health behaviors that play a major role in premature morbidity and mortality. Patterns of behavior that affect health or predict adverse effects on health are called behavioral risk factors. For example: lack of physical activity is a behavioral risk factor for obesity, type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and other diseases and conditions; and alcohol consumption (including binge drinking) is a behavioral risk factor for injury, unplanned or unprotected sexual behavior, and a contributor to numerous chronic conditions. Risk behaviors are thus key targets for prevention. Timely and accurate information about risk behaviors is needed to plan, initiate, support, and evaluate public health programs designed to prevent, control, or mitigate disease and disability.


Due to the geographic, cultural, demographic and economic diversity of the U.S., the methods used to produce national estimates provide only limited insight into regional, or state-specific variability in health status and health-related behaviors. State and local health agencies are focal points for public health program planning and implementation. Nationally representative datasets that do not have the ability to be geographically disaggregated due to sample size limitations may not be informative about conditions found in any given state or substate region, or detailed enough to assist federal, state, and local health agencies inform effective allocation of public health resources. Surveys that sample at the state level are needed to monitor state-level prevalence of the major behavioral risks for premature morbidity and mortality.


In 1984, CDC and 15 states collaboratively initiated behavioral risk factor surveys designed to address the states’ information and public health needs. Since that time, CDC has provided technical assistance and funding to an increasing number of states and territories, and survey content and methods have become increasingly sophisticated. The surveys are now known as the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), managed by NCCDPHP’s Division of Population Health (DPH). Under the current BRFSS cooperative agreement program, CDC provides funding and technical assistance to 57 awardees including 50 states, the District of Columbia, and six territories (collectively referred to as “states” in this document). A list of current awardees is provided in Attachment 2. The primary purpose of the BRFSS is to provide the information that these awardees need in order to plan public health programs and track health outcomes at the state and sub-state level.


BRFSS information collection is conducted annually. The CDC and BRFSS awardees produce a new set of state-specific BRFSS questionnaires each calendar year (i.e., 2019 BRFSS series, 2020 BRFSS series, etc.). Information is collected through telephone interviews except in a limited number of jurisdictions (such as the territories of Palau, and the Federated States of Micronesia) with low telephone coverage, where interviews are conducted in-person. The methods for selecting respondents and determining questionnaire content reflect the system’s origins. An independent sample of adult, non-institutionalized respondents is drawn for each state and is based on the state’s parameters for state-level or sub-state analysis. The questionnaire is based on modular design principles allowing rapid customization of content. Each state’s annual questionnaire includes a common core for even-numbered years (see Attachment 3a) and a common core for odd-numbered years (see Attachment 3b) that is administered by all states, and standardized optional modules (see Attachment 4) that may be fielded at the states’ discretion. New modules or core questions may introduce topic areas that have not previously been included in the BRFSS questionnaires. In addition to meeting standards of need for information during the process to adopt new questions (see Attachment 12) all new questions are cognitively tested and field tested before inclusion (see Attachment 13 for an example of a Field Test Questionnaire). Results for the new questions to be included in 2019 are provided in Attachment 14. In Table 1 below, information is provided on changes in each of the core sections. Table 2 provides information on changes in modules, including justifications for adding topics and the approximate number of states which have adopted the module for 2019.

Table 1

2019 BRFSS Core Sections and Optional Modules

Core Questionnaire Changes

(as compared to previously approved Odd–numbered Year Core Questionnaire)

Location in Questionnaire

Changes made

Comments

Landline Introduction

Respondent sex question moved from demographics and inserted after adult verification question

The question on respondent sex has been moved earlier in the questionnaire to allow for skip patterns in questions based on sex which are asked prior to the demographics section.

Cell phone Introduction

Respondent sex question moved from demographics and inserted after adult verification question

Core Section 1: Health Status

Continue with no changes


Core Section 2: Healthy Days

Continue with no changes


Core Section 3: Healthcare Access

Continue with no changes


Core Section 4: Hypertension Awareness

Continue with no changes


Core Section 5: Cholesterol Awareness

Continue with no changes


Core Section 6: Chronic Health Conditions

Continue with no changes


Core Section 7: Arthritis Burden

Move two questions from formerly approved Arthritis Management Optional Module to Rotating Core. Eliminate one question from rotating core.

The Arthritis Management Module has be eliminated and two questions from the former module will be moved to the rotating core. One core question was cut to allow for the inclusion, resulting in an increase of one question in this section. The change will allow for more complete data on arthritis burden and treatment within a two year cycle, rather than data provided annually for a subset of respondents. Question order will be affected but this will not result in new questions.

Core Section 8: Demographics

Removal of respondent sex question

The question on respondent sex has been moved earlier in the questionnaire to allow for skip patterns in questions based on sex which are asked prior to the demographics section.

Core Section 9: Tobacco Use

Continue with no changes


Core Section 10: Alcohol Consumption

Minor change to include interviewer note on definition of a drink to appear on screen for question 1 in the section.

Interviewers will not have to switch screens between questions 1 and 2 to have access to definition.

Core Section 11: Exercise (Physical Activity)

Continue with no changes


Core Section 12: Fruits and Vegetables

Continue with no changes


Core Section 13: Immunization

Changes in question wording on flu vaccination.

Flu spray and vaccination into the arm are reversed in the order of presentation to ensure that respondents hear shot injected into the arm last. This is to eliminate confusion on the much less frequent spray.

Tetanus and pneumonia shots rotated from module to core.

These questions rotate into the core every three years.

Core Section 14: H.I.V./AIDS

Continue with no changes



Table 2

2019 Optional Module Changes With Justifications

(as compared to current list of approved optional modules)

Module Name

Actions

Comments

Approximate number of states adopting module

Module 1: Prediabetes

Continue with no changes


27

Module 2: Diabetes

Continue with no changes


31

Module 3: Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/
Chronic Fatigue Syndrome (ME/CFS)

Previously included in field test, now included as module

This module was cognitively tested, voted on by the states and approved by OMB for the 2018 field test. It was included in the recent field test.

The primary purpose of adding ME/CFS module to the 2019 BRFSS survey is to provide more detailed state-level information regarding the prevalence and burden of ME/CFS among adults in state-level and nationwide. ME/CFS is a complex and disabling illness with functional impairment comparable to heart diseases, multiple sclerosis, cancer, diabetes, lung disease. Studies in the United States have found that ME/CFS poses a significant economic burden to not only individuals and families, but to the healthcare system as a whole. Having ME/CFS or ME/CFS-related symptoms have been shown to account for as much as $9-37 billion in lost productivity and $9-14 billion in medical costs in the U.S. Yet, there are few population-based studies in the U.S. that estimate ME/CFS prevalence; much less state-level prevalence. Moreover, limited efforts have been made to quantify the state-level burden of ME/CFS in term of mobility, disability, and health-related quality of life.

1

Module 4: Hepatitis Treatment

Previously included in field test, now included as module

This module was cognitively tested, voted on by the states and approved by OMB for the 2018 field test. It was included in the recent field test. Questions on Hepatitis were last asked on the BRFSS in 2006 and 2007.

Major barriers to treatment exist for Americans who are currently infected with hepatitis C. The cost of treatment fluctuates as new drugs are licensed, and Medicaid and Medicare plans have varying restrictions. Current data sources have limited utility in tracking treatment for hepatitis C; therefore, uniformly representative data is needed at the state level. BRFSS data will help state agencies develop strategies and secure funding to address disparities in treatment access. Also, because hepatitis C can now be cured, it is important to track the status of treated individuals, estimate the success of treatment, and derive the current prevalence of the disease.

6

Module 5: HPV Vaccination

Make definition of HPV optional for interviewers to read. Require interviewer to say “human Papilloma virus” rather than just HPV, so that respondents are able to differentiate from “HIV”

The majority of respondents do not need to be informed about how HPV is defined. The move shortens the question length.

6

Module 6: Place of Flu Vaccination

Rotated from core to optional module

This question rotates into the core every three years

3

Module 7: Shingles Vaccination

Rotated from core to optional module

This question rotates into the core every three years

6

Module 8: Lung Cancer Screening

Continue with no changes


17

Module 9: Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening

Continue with no changes


2

Module 10: Prostate Cancer Screening

Continue with no changes


1

Module 11: Prostate Cancer Decision Making

Continue with no changes


1

Module 12: Colorectal Cancer Screening

Continue with no changes


4

Module 13: Cancer Survivorship

Continue with no changes


3

Module 14: Healthcare Access

Reduce the number of questions

The module will move to a two-year cycle, using the wording of previous administrations. During odd-numbered years, the module will include only one question, on the type of insurance coverage.

9

Module 15: Aspirin for CVD Prevention

Existing question instated as a module.

The module consists of a single question, taken from the previously approved module on CV Health. This module does not propose any new questions. The creation of the shorter module allows states to adopt the single question on aspirin without the adoption of other questions previously in the module.

7

Module 16: Home/ Self-measured Blood Pressure

Previously included in field test, now included as module

The module consists of three questions on whether respondent monitor and report their blood pressure to health providers. This module was cognitively tested, voted on by the states, approved by OMB for the BRFSS 2018 field test, and included in the recent field test. Previously, questions on this topic were asked in the Actions to Control High Blood Pressure Module.


In addition, this module provides a unique opportunity to gather information on health priorities from the consumer perspective. Question 1, which asks respondents to nominate which of their chronic conditions concerns them most, is not only used to orient participants to the subsequent self-management questions, but it provides extremely valuable and rare population-based surveillance data on individuals’ perceptions of their own health priorities. These data can be used to help State Health Departments, and other partners target interventions and health communication messages specifically to the priorities of the population and use that as an entrée to teach cross-cutting chronic disease self-management skills. Variations in the reported primary conditions of concern (e.g., by region, over time, by demographic group) could provide additional proxy information about different populations, successes of interventions, health policy effects, population priorities, and other useful patterns of chronic conditions and their impact.


These questions are scheduled to be included on the Fall 2018 Medicare Current Beneficiary Survey, which will provide national estimates for Medicare Beneficiaries (primarily those over age 65). While this national data will be useful in the same ways itemized above, BRFSS data is important both for state planning, but also to represent the wider age group that will not be captured by the Medicare survey.

States can use data from these questions to estimate the magnitude of individual self-management and community self –management support in their state, determine the distribution of and disparities in self-management behavior and community self-management support, and plan programmatic allocation of resources.

19

Module 17: Sodium or Salt-Related Behavior

Continue with no changes


11

Module 18: Indoor Tanning

Continue with no changes


1

Module 19: Excess Sun Exposure

Continue with no changes


1

Module 20: Cognitive Decline

Continue with no changes


29

Module 21: Caregiver

Elimination of respite question and addition of question specific to caring for persons with cognitive decline

The question on caregiver respite was not providing useful information. Specific information on caregiving for persons with cognitive decline is needed for program purposes and planning.

10

Module 22: Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACE)

Re-use of a module included in BRFSS prior to OMB review.

The last administration of this module was in 2012, with four states adopting the questions. Because of the nature of the module, a crisis plan was added to the protocols.

According to ACE module data collection on the 2011-2014 BRFSS approximately 60% of the sampled adult population reports having experienced at least one ACE. Among the most frequently experienced ACE reported by the respondents were emotional abuse (34%), household substance use (28%) and living with a mentally ill or suicidal family member (17%). Decased of research find a robust, dose-response relationship between ACE and leading causes of adult morbidity and mortality, including sicide attempts and substance use. Adding items to the ACE module to measure substance abuse and suicide attempts can help establish temporality and avoid overlapping time frames as has been done in the past. It will also allow for policymakers and researchers to further understand the connections between these priority health topics.

23

Module 23: Family Planning

Changes in wording of some questions which referred to sexual partners to limit responses to sex with men.

This module, asked only of females aged 18-49, focuses on sexual activity which could result in pregnancy. Other sexual activity information is not needed, therefore questions have been modified to reference sex between respondents and men.

37

Module 24: Alcohol Screening and Brief Intervention

Continue with no changes


12

Module 25: Marijuana Use

Continue with no changes


13

Module 26: Industry and Occupation

Continue with no changes


24

Module 27: Food Stamps

Previously included in field test, now included as module

This module was cognitively tested, voted on by the states, approved by OMB for the 2018 field test, and included in the recent field test. Previous questions on food security were asked in the Social Determinants of Health Module.

All States and DC implement SNAP-Ed, which is the nutrition education component of SNAP. USDA, Food and Nutrition Service, along with the States and DC, could use BRFSS estimates on SNAP participation as a proxy for SNAP-Ed participation and associate participation with health, and well-being indicators. This would also allow FNS and the States to measure and track SNAP and SNAP-Ed eligible populations in a timely manner. Furthermore, fruit and vegetable intake, which BRFSS measures, is a priority indicator for SNAP-Ed. Strengthening each State’s ability to monitor and track indicators relevant to SNAP-Ed will not only strengthen SNAP and SNAP-Ed, but will also inform crucial policy decisions that need data to make confident and efficient decisions. Finally, expanding SNAP-Ed and refocusing State SNAP-Ed programs on Policy, Systems, and Environmental (PSE) changes was part of the Healthy and Hunger-Free Kids Act (HFFKA). HFFKA also instructs USDA FNS to coordinate with CDC in reaching SNAP-Ed PSE goals.

5

Module 28: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity (SOGI)

Continue with no changes


29

Module 32: Random Child Selection

Continue with no changes


30

Module 33: Childhood Asthma Prevalence

Continue with no changes


27


In addition, since OMB review is conducted every three years Attachment 4 includes modules that are under consideration for 2020-2022. Six of the modules listed (Anxiety and Depression, Reactions to Race, Mental Illness and Stigma, Veterans’ Health, Social Context of Health, and General Preparedness) have been offered by the BRFSS in previous years (prior to the first OMB review in 2015). All of these modules have been previously cognitively tested, but if reintroducted into the questionnaire, additional cognitive tests would be conducted. If they are adopted for use in 2020-2022, their complete documentation will be provided in the change requests submitted by CDC for annual questionnaire approval. Four modules dealing with opioid use (Emerging Core Opoid Questions, Prescribed Opioid Use, Non-prescribed Opioid Use, and Opioid Dependency) will be cognitively tested for use on the 2020 or 2021 questionnare. Format and content of questions on opioid use will be determined in part by a committee of Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) from a number of federal agencies which is currently working on harmonization of data collection on this topic. Representatives from the Population Health Surveillance Branch (PHSB) within the DPH have joined the committee, which includes SMEs from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, the National Center for Health Statistics, and other programs within CDC .

The number of optional modules available to states in any single year is dependent on state health departments’ needs and funding. Data sets are submitted to CDC for cleaning and weighting, and returned to the state of origin for its use. In keeping with its historical role in promulgating standards that strengthen data quality and comparability, CDC, in collaboration with the states, provides standard protocols for BRFSS data collection which all states are encouraged to adopt. The BRFSS collaboration among CDC and the states also develops and validates questions for both the core component(s) and the optional modules, and provides technical assistance to states on methodological issues such as sample selection, data quality, weighting, and the interpretation of findings. CDC makes state-level BRFSS data, as well as national datasets, broadly available through the BRFSS Web site along with guidance on statistically appropriate uses of the data.


The interactive partnership between CDC and BRFSS awardees results in the collection of surveillance information that is adaptive to both state and national needs, and uniform where states have common interests. Over time the BRFSS has developed into an important source of information for federal agencies and the public as well as state and local health departments. Therefore, although the BRFSS began primarily a state-based data collection system, in recognition of the fact that HHS uses BRFSS as a unique and influential source of public health information developed with federal assistance, CDC applied for and received OMB approval for BRFSS annual surveys beginning with the 2015 cycle of data collection. CDC also seeks to ensure comparability across data sets by reviewing questions on similar topics on other surveys. The process by which questions are adopted for use on the BRFSS is provided in Attachment 12. The process includes reviews of questions on other federal surveys.


CDC supports periodic updates of BRFSS content and/or the data collection system. Two types of routine updates are based on similar survey methods and are associated with the current Revision request (OMB No. 0920-1061). CDC submits each update to OMB on an annual basis. Although the updates are related, each will be submitted as a separate Change Request.


  1. Annual field test of proposed changes. Each year’s full-scale survey is fielded from January 1 – December 31. Approximately 5-8 months before the January 1 launch date, CDC conducts a limited field test to identify issues that may affect BRFSS implementation or data quality. The specifics of each year’s field testing plan are submitted to OMB through the Change Request mechanism as an Annual Field Test Supplement (see Attachment 13 for an example of a Field Test Questionnaire).


  1. Annual update of the BRFSS core survey and optional modules.

Approximately 3-5 months before the January 1 launch date of the annual survey, and after reviewing the results of field test, CDC submits a Change Request to OMB that includes the updated BRFSS core survey and optional modules for the upcoming year. This Change Request outlines all adjustments to the estimated number of respondents, estimated burden, or other issues.


BRFSS content and methods also are refreshed through information collection activities that involve different methods and are not part of this OMB number. These activities, which are separately submitted to OMB for approval (using the CDC/ATSDR Formative Research and Tool Development generic package (OMB #0920-1154) include methodological studies to strengthen data collection procedures and the utility of the information collected, for example, cognitive testing of questions, pilot tests, or other protocol enhancements or callback surveys (conducted to collect detailed information on a single health topic, such as asthma).

Recently, using the CDC/ATSDR Formative Research and Tool Development generic package (OMB #0920-1154), a pilot of sampling methods was conducted. The BRFSS Preliminary Experiment for Sample and Mode tested several hypotheses regarding differences between Address-Based Sampling (ABS) and Random Digit Dialing (RDD) samples. The project also tested the effectiveness of different modes (telephone interview, mailed questionnaire, web-based surveys) of data collection using the two samples. Results of the preliminary experiment indicated that ABS did not improve response rates over RDD and that respondents were not likely to complete web-based surveys when contacted by phone or mail. In addition ABS samples which included apartment buildings were likely to result in partial addresses (without specific apartment numbers) causing a lower contact and response rate. Such “drop point” addresses introduced bias into the resulting respondent pool. Positive results indicate that RDD sampled cell phone numbers can be matched to addresses in sufficient numbers to allow for advance letters to potential respondents, a change that was incorporated into the Data Collection Protocol (see Attachment 10) for 2019. Additional pilots and feasibility tests will be conducted under this generic clearance. In 2019, a feasibility test is planned to determine whether cell phone respondents who are sampled by one state but who live in another can be diverted to the web in order to complete state-specific modules which otherwise would have resulted in missing data. (Currently these respondents are interviewed but only core questions are asked). Other pilots and changes which are under consideration to maintain the most current methodological practices for the BRFSS may include the exclusive use of the cell phone sample in the future (thereby eliminating the landline portion of the sample), testing feasibility of diverting respondents to the web at the outset of the questionnaire, piloting mobile based applications of the BRFSS questionnaire and the use of wearable device and other data to supplement the BRFSS. Currently research is underway to test the effects of moving to a cell phone only sample, which is similar to research done prior to the introduction of cell phone respondents in 2011. The PHSB is examining the effects of removing the landline sample from the previous three years of data, reweighting cell phone interviews and comparing prevalence estimates with the landline/cell phone sample. Prior to changes in the sampling frame an expert panel meeting will be convened. This panel will include statisticians, methodologist and state health department representatives. In particular, representatives from the National Health Interview Survey will be included in the panel. The PHSB has convened expert panels in the past (approximately every three years) to guide changes in methodology and recommend analytic innovation. The last expert panel was convened in 2017.

In addition, in 2021, the DPH will be undertaking a redesign of the core questionnaire. The purpose of the redesign is to establish standards for core questions, reduce the length of the core and update question formats. Discussions with data users and BRFSS Coordinators will be held at the annual meeting of the grantees. The expert panel will also examine any and all proposed changes to the questionnaire prior to the 2021 redesign.

The DPH recognizes the need to enhance cognitive testing methods. In 2019 and 2020, the DPH will submit proposals to enlarge the recruitment of cognitive testing subjects and increase evaluative capacity on all new questions and modifications of questions for use on the BRFSS. The current practice of a limited number of subjects for cognitive testing does not allow for the complete evaluation of question format, wording and order on the questionnaire. The PHSB will determine whether it will be more effective to submit a separate package for cognitive testing, use the current generic mechanism or submit questions to the National Center for Health Statistics cognitive testing lab for review. Whichever of these methods are adopted, an annual change request will be submitted to OMB for each wave of cognitive testing, outlining the number of subjects, the topics and questions to be tested and the program narrative for inclusion in the survey.

Any and all additional information collection activities will be submitted to OMB in separate requests, and may be requested under current generic approvals.


  1. Purpose and Use of Information Collection

The BRFSS data will be used for a number of purposes by a diverse set of users. The primary uses of the data are listed below:

  • BRFSS data is used by states to identify specific program needs and track health status over time.

  • States use BRFSS data to help them establish and track state and local health objectives, plan health programs, implement disease prevention and health promotion activities, and monitor trends.

  • BRFSS data is used to compare weighted state-level behavioral health risk and health status information taken from persons residing within all U.S. states, D.C., the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, and Puerto Rico.

  • CDC disseminates a publicly available annual BRFSS dataset (see the BRFSS website at www.cdc.gov/brfss). This dataset is frequently used by public health officials in government at the national, state and local level as well as researchers at university and non-profit organizations. In the past, these data have been used for program evaluation, research and reporting related to health status, chronic disease indicators and health risk and risk preventive behaviors. Data have also been used for trend analyses, tests of differences among (demographic or jurisdictional) subpopulations, multivariate analyses of health outcomes and other statistical processes.

  • State health department websites as well as a CDC website will be used as platforms to illustrate differences in health and behaviors using mapping and charting software. CDC is committed to improving its webbased tool by making the strengths and weakness of such comparisons more transparent.

  • BRFSS data informs a variety of data resources, programs and organizations which use the data as a basis for smaller area estimation. These include but are not limited to the Health Indicators Warehouse, County Health Indicators, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, and HealthyPeople 2020.

  • BRFSS data may be used to draw comparisons from data taken from identical and/or similar questions on other surveys using other modes thereby creating a means for validation and comparisons across population samples.

  • The BRFSS data collection system is also used by states as a vehicle to add state specific questions exclusively for state health department needs. Although these data are not part of the public use dataset, they are essential to state health departments for planning and evaluation of public health resources.

Data collection based on state-level sampling also permits the analyses of data at the local level when sample sizes within county or MSAs are large enough for statistical interpretation. The ability to identify state and sub-state differences optimizes program interventions designed by state health departments.


The annual field test has distinct objectives. Field testing is the final check of changes in the questionnaire which have occurred in the preceding year. Field testing is conducted in a manner that mimics the full-scale project protocol, to the degree that is feasible. Field testing is the final means by which changes are made in data collection methods and data collection software is tested. Field tests are used to identify problems with instrument documentation or instructions, problems with conditional logic (e.g., skip patterns), software errors or other implementation and usability issues. Field tests are conducted in a single state, using only those parts of the questionnaire which have been substantively changed or sections of the extant questionnaire which lead into new or updated questions. In some instances, extant sections of the questionnaire may be field tested if they are topically related to new items on the questionnaire. For example, if a new question on disability is added, extant disability questions are included in the field testing to ensure that respondents do not feel that the questions are redundant or overlapping. Field testing is not intended to replace cognitive testing, it is only to check to be sure that questions which have already been thoroughly vetted are appropriately placed on the BRFSS. Sections of the questionnaire which are unchanged and unrelated to new or modified sections of the questionnaire are not field tested, although the demographic sections of the core are included in the field test. Results of the field test are used to inform development of the upcoming year’s BRFSS questionnaire(s) and the technical assistance and implementation guidance that CDC provides to BRFSS partners. Field test data are not incorporated into the analytic BRFSS datasets.


  1. Use of Improved Information Technology and Burden Reduction


The BRFSS data will be collected using list-assisted random digit dialing (RDD) landline and cell phone telephone samples. Given the need for state-level samples that are large enough for statistical analyses, telephone surveys offer a cost effective method of data collection. In addition to their cost advantages, telephone surveys are especially desirable at the state and local level, where the necessary expertise and resources for conducting area probability sampling for in-person household interviews are available in many state health departments. Interviewers will use Computer Assisted Telephone Interview (CATI) software to enter data directly into a database. Use of CATI software promotes efficiency in two ways: skip patterns can be programmed to route respondents only to questions that they are eligible to answer, and real-time quality control checks can be used to eliminate some errors which may have been caused by manual data entry procedures. As was noted in section A.1, future changes to the BRFSS methods may include the elimination of landline phone numbers in the sample. This is prompted by the low percentage (approximately 4%) of US residents without cell phones, the deterioration of the accuracy of landline samples and the streamlining of methods which would result from a single sample of phone numbers.


  1. Efforts to Identify Duplication and Use of Similar Information


For most states and territories, the BRFSS provides the only sources of data amenable to state and local level health and health risk indicators. Extant data on these topics are available at the national level, but do not include sufficient sample size to determine whether there are measureable changes/trends in health risk behaviors at lower geographic levels. National surveys such as the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS, OMB No. 0920-0214, exp. 12/31/2016), the National Tobacco Survey (OMB No. 0920-0828, exp. 7/31/2015), the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES; OMB No. 0920-0950, exp. 11/30/2016), among others offer data for prevalence estimates at the national level. The BRFSS differs in that it samples at (sub) state levels, and produces direct, not modeled, estimates for all states and some local geographic jurisdictions. It also provides a state level public use dataset on a broad range of topics, many of which are not included in national surveys.


In some cases, state prevalence may be modeled by other data collections. The National Adult Tobacco Survey and the National Health Interview Survey have both been used to model prevalence estimates at the state level. However they may not provide sufficient data from which direct state estimates can be derived nor do they allow for direct local area estimation. Moreover, in most instances state level data modeled from national surveys use national level control totals for weighting, while the BRFSS uses (sub) state control totals for all post-data collection raking weights. National surveys use modeled estimates to obtain state and local prevalence estimates, however, these modeled estimates cannot be used to evaluate interventions that public health at the state and local level may have implemented. Many states use BRFSS data to evaluate their public health interventions.


Data from the BRFSS provide a means by which states can tailor data collection to their unique needs. Optional modules which are important in one state may not be as salient in others. For example, the excess sun exposure optional module may be more critical in coastal states than in other jurisdictions. The addition of state-added questions is also a means by which specifically targeted information critical to a particular state may be obtained, using the infrastructure of the BRFSS.


  1. Impact on Small Businesses or Other Small Entities


There will be no impact on small business.


  1. Consequences of Collecting the Information Less Frequently


Annual data collection allows more detailed trend analyses than less frequent data collection. The BRFSS minimizes the number of questions included in the annual survey by including a rotating core (in even and odd numbered years) for a select number of indicators which have more detailed response sets.


  1. Special Circumstances Relating to the Guidelines of 5 CFR 1320.5


There are no special circumstances.

  1. Comments in Response to the Federal Register Notice and Efforts to Consult Outside the Agency


A 60-day Notice was published in the Federal Register on September 18, 2018 (Attachment 6a). A total of 3 public comments were received during the 60 day public notification of intent to collect data using the BRFSS. Attachment 6b includes the comments and CDC’s response. All three comments provided support for the continuation of the BRFSS while suggesting changes in scope to ensure that local needs are met.


  1. Explanation of any Payment/Gift to Respondents


Not applicable.


  1. Protection of the Privacy and Confidentiality of Information Provided by Respondents


Overview of the Data Collection System


Random digit dialing (RDD) telephone samples will be delivered to the states on a monthly or quarterly schedule. Information collection will be implemented by state health departments or their designees. States will administer the core/rotating/emerging core questions without change. States will determine which of the optional modules will be included in their jurisdictions and whether the state will split the sample to allow for the inclusion of a large number of optional modules. Field operations are managed by state health departments and/or their contractors following The Data Collectors’ Protocol provided by the BRFSS (see Attachment 10). States submit data to CDC for final cleaning, weighting, the production of analysis datasets, and other technical assistance as needed. Computer-assisted telephone interviewing (CATI) programming is provided by the CDC to states to convert the BRFSS questionnaire into a CATI interface from which interviewers will read and record answers to each question. States may opt to use their own CATI programming software. States run edit checking programs against the data and submit to the CDC on a monthly/quarterly basis. CDC then conducts additional data quality processes and summarizes the data in YTD reports provided to the states. At the end of each calendar year, data are finalized and weighted.


The datasets provided to the states at the end of the year include a large number of variables on calling attempts, final calling outcomes, questionnaire item responses and calculated variables. A subset of the data set provided to the states is published on the BRFSS website for public use.


Items of Information to be Collected


The BRFSS core questionnaire (see Attachment 3a for even-number year core questionnaire and Attachment 3b for odd-numbered year core questionnaire) includes information on health status, health risk and risk preventive behaviors, as well as basic demographic information. Optional modules which are selected by individual states, based on their information needs, must also be implemented as written without changes in wording. Optional modules cover a range of health topics (see Attachment 4). Other than phone numbers, which are part of the original sample files sent to the states, no information in individually identifiable form (IIF) will be collected from respondents during the telephone interviews. On occasions when states make appointments to call selected respondents back after portions of the survey have been completed, first names may be given to ensure that the remainder of the interview is conducted with the same individual. The BRFSS uses the HHS Safe Harbor guidelines (https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/special-topics/de-identification/index.html) to determine suppression of variables from public use information. Researchers who request access to information not provided in the public use dataset may use the Research Data Cebter (RDC) hosting agreement with the BRFSS. States must develop and maintain procedures to ensure respondents’ privacy, assure and document the quality of the interviewing process, and supervise and monitor trained interviewers. The CDC provides states with guidelines for training interviewers and standard procedures for monitoring a minimum of 10% of all interviews. The Data Collectors’ Protocol (Attachment 10) provides instruction to states about data storage and confidentiality of responses as well as data quality.


How Information Will Be Shared and For What Purpose


Since state health departments and/or their designees are the data collectors for the BRFSS, information will originate with the states. States may determine whether and how their data will be released to third parties. The CDC maintains an upload website by which data are submitted monthly/quarterly. CDC does not transmit data from one state to any other, with the exception of cell phone interviews of persons who have an area code from one state, but who actually live in another state. Telephone numbers are not linked to respondents. Files containing RDD telephone samples are kept separately from files which include responses to questionnaire items. CDC receives only de-identified records. Sample files contain sequence numbers which are provided by the sampling vendor and used by data collectors (the states or their designees) to determine calling outcomes for each phone number. The CDC does not receive full phone numbers in the sample file. Sample files received by the CDC and states which have contracted data collection include only area code and prefixes of phone numbers which are associated with sequence numbers. States which have internal data collection systems and contracted data collectors have sole access to both sequence numbers and full phone numbers during the data collection process. States keep responses to the BRFSS questionnaire separately from sample files. After data collection, sequence numbers are recoded to prevent subsequent links of sample files and responses to questions by any person or organization involved in data collection. State level data sets are owned by individual states. A subset of state data sets is provided for public use. Public use data sets have been stripped of a number of variables which provide locational information on the respondents including zip codes, and county identifiers for counties with adult populations of less than 10,000, occupational information, uncategorized ages of respondents, and detailed race. CDC may provide data with locational information for internal users to produce small area estimates of health indicators.


Impact of the Proposed Collection on Respondents’ Privacy


BRFSS sample files include phone numbers, and some addresses. Addresses are only available for telephone numbers in the landline sample where the sample contractor has been able to match phone numbers and addresses. These addresses are used by some states to send advance letters to households in the sample. If a state does not send advance letters, addresses are not included in the sample files. Approximately 40 states use advance letters, with about 40% of the landline sample and about 30% of the cell phone sample matching accurately to an address.


Since sample files are separate from datasets, no phone numbers or addresses are included in the datasets. No dates of birth, last names, or email address are obtained. Information that details race/ethnicity, occupation and small geographic residence (such as county or zip code) is suppressed in the public use dataset. In order to determine which variables to suppress, the BRFSS uses the HHS Safe Harbor guidelines (https://www.hhs.gov/hipaa/for-professionals/privacy/special-topics/de-identification/index.html).


How Individuals Are Informed That Providing Information Is Voluntary or Mandatory


Individuals participating in the BRFSS are informed that they do not have to participate and that they may refuse to answer any question.


Opportunities to Consent


Verbal consent is obtained during the initial contact and screening process (see Attachment 8). The introductory script, including the voluntary nature of the survey, precedes the survey questions.


How Information Will Be Secured


Access to state data sets will be limited to the states themselves and CDC contractors and staff who conduct weighting and data cleaning procedures. Security measures include: 1) Physical controls: CDC facilities are secure, ID accessed buildings. Data will not be stored in hard copy formats; and 2) Technical controls: All electronic data are stored on secured servers protected with firewalls and passwords. All employees are trained on data security measures by taking appropriate HHS courses online. All data collection and records management practices and systems adhere to HHS and CDC IT policies and procedures.


Privacy Act Determination


The Privacy Act does not apply. The BRFSS data will be collected using list-assisted random digit dialing (RDD) landline and cellular telephone samples. No IIF will be collected, filed or retrieved by the name of the individual or other unique respondent identifier such as social security number.


Annual Field Test


The information collection procedures and privacy safeguards for the annual field test are modeled on procedures and privacy safeguards for the main BRFSS survey. Any departures from standard procedures will be identified in the annual field test IC request.


  1. Institutional Review Board (IRB) and Justification for Sensitive Questions

CDC has determined that the BRFSS information collection is exempt from the requirements of 45 CFR 46. IRB approval is not required.


The BRFSS includes standard demographic questions (such as race, gender identity and income category) which may be considered sensitive. In addition, some questions regarding preventive behaviors, such as HIV testing, may be considered sensitive. One module on adverse childhood experiences is also senstitive and interviewers are trained specifically to reassure respondent who respond to this module (see appendices in Attachment 10). Participating states have used these standardized questions on state behavioral risk surveys for many years. Sensitive questions are necessary to identify changes in behaviors and/or self-assessments of health status when aggregated to local or state levels. In order to assess changes in health risk behaviors, it is necessary to ask questions of a sensitive nature. This sensitive information would be pertinent to determine state needs for health programs and services.


  1. Estimates of Annualized Burden Hours and Costs


Respondents are adults > 18 years of age. Information collection is conducted in a continuous, three-part telephone interview: screening, participation in the common BRFSS core, and participation in optional modules. Respondent burden is estimated separately for each step.


Although the number of interviews varies from state to state--based on the needs, population size and diversity of each state--a minimum number of interviews is set by the state in the sampling process. The estimated population for each U.S. state or territory, and the size of the BRFSS state-level sample for 2016 is provided in Attachment 7a. Approximately 55% of interviews were conducted on landlines and 45% on cell phones in 2016. Each year the proportion of interviews conducted by cell phone has increased in response to the use of cell phones by the US populations (Blumberg & Luke, 2016). Therefore for the 2019-2021 BRFSS, a larger proportion (50%) of cell phone interviews is anticipated. The screening questions for the two groups are slightly different and are presented in Attachment 8. Since the cooperation rate (based on AAPOR cooperation rate #2) for all BRFSS in 2015 was 64% for landline respondents and 82% for cellphone respondents, it is estimated that 375,000 landline respondents and 292,682 cell phone respondents will complete the screening questions. The estimated burden per response is one minute.


After completing the screening interview, respondents who are eligible and agree to participate will proceed to the core section of the BRFSS questionnaire for even- or odd-numbered years. Questions in the core may be edited from one year to the next but topics remain standard. Editing occurs as a result of an outdated question (for example questions on preventive testing which refer to testing which is no longer recommended) or due to a minor format change. Large scale question changes are rare in the core and would be reported to the OMB as part of the annual review of the questionnaire. The rotating (even/odd numbered year) core includes standard topics and questions which may also include editorial changes from one administration to the next. We estimate that 240,000 respondents screened on landline phones and 240,000 respondents screened on cell phones will participate in the core data collection (total of 480,000 respondents). The estimated burden per response for the core is 15 minutes.


Each state participating in the BRFSS may customize its survey by appending additional questions to the core survey. These questions will be drawn from the set of approved questions for optional modules (see Attachment 4). A complete 2019 BRFSS questionnaire (including screening scripts, even numbered year core and annual list of available optional modules) is provided in Attachment 5. Each state will administer one or more state-specific versions of the instrument in English. Spanish language versions are also routinely administered. The CDC does not provide requirements for administration of the survey in a second language. A standard Spanish translation is provided to the states, which may or may not adopt it for use. States may opt to modify the translation in order to match Spanish dialects of their populations. For example, states with larger number of Cuban residents may have populations with different word usage than states larger proportions of Spanish speaking residents with other backgrounds. States may translate the questionnaire into other languages as budgets permit, although this is rare and is not anticipated in 2019. The pre-call status of the landline sample alerts the states to the potential of a language barrier and in some cases bilingual interviewers are assigned to that segment of the sample. In other instances, states use a callback system of bilingual interviewers to return calls after interim dispositions indicate that the household or cell phone may have a language barrier. Differential weighting of surveys conducted in Spanish or other languages is not included in the post data collection methods, although race and Hispanic ethnicity are included in weighting margins.


A summary of optional modules fielded in 2016 was used as an initial estimate of burden for 2019 (see Attachment 9 for a list of optional modules by state). States may split their samples in order to include a wider range of topics in the questionnaire, without lengthening the time for each interview. The number of optional questions/modules varies from state to state and year to year, but states typically limit the total length of the BRFSS interview to no more than 30 minutes on average. We estimate an average burden across the states of 15 minutes for their choice of optional modules. The BRFSS experiences a very low drop off rate for respondents who complete the core but do not complete the optional modules. However, some optional modules are only asked of subsets of the respondents. For example, only those who indicate that they have been diagnosed with diabetes will be asked questions from the diabetes module. We estimate that 440,000 respondents will complete the optional modules, after completing the core questionnaire.


A field test is conducted each year prior to the implementation of new or changed portions of the questionnaire as a final check on their usability within the survey. See Attachment 13 for an example of a field test questionnaire. Portions of the questionnaire which immediately precede and follow changed or new sections and those extant questions which are topically related are also included. The burden hours for the field test are included in the table below. The total estimated annual burden includes up to 500 respondents who will qualify through screening and then participate in the field test. The estimated burden per response for these respondents is 45 minutes, which includes burden for screening, all demographic questions in the core survey, and the questions being field tested. Burden varies for each year’s field test survey, depending on the number of proposed changes to the core survey, changes to the optional modules, and testing of questions that are related to new or modified questions. The estimated burden per response of 45 minutes is a generous estimate, which should accommodate all cases. In some years, the actual burden of the field test may be lower.


The burden estimate also includes 400 respondents who will be determined ineligible after screening, or decline to participate in the field test. The estimated burden per response for these respondents is 1 minute.


Table A.12-1. Estimated Annualized Burden to Respondents


Type of Respondents

Form Name

No. of Respondents

No. of Responses per Respondent

Avg. Burden per Response (in hr)

Total Burden

(in hr)

U.S. General Population

Landline Screener

375,000


1


1/60

6,250

Cell Phone Screener

292,682

1

1/60

4,879

Field Test Screener

900

1

1/60

15

Annual Survey Respondents (Adults >18 Years)

BRFSS Core Survey

480,000

1

15/60

120,000

BRFSS Optional Modules

440,000

1

15/60

110,000

Field Test Respondents (Adults >18 Years)

Field Test Survey

500

1

45/60

375

Total


241,519


Annualized burden costs are summarized in Table A.12-2 below. These calculations assume the average hourly wage of $26.00 for all jurisdictions included in the BRFSS. Hourly rates were taken from the most recent publically available Current Employment Statistics of the Bureau of Labor Statistics and are based upon the average hourly earnings for January 2017 from the Current Employment Statistics survey conducted by the Bureau of Labor Statistics (available at https://www.bls.gov/news.release/empsit.t19.htm.).


Table A.12-2. Estimated Annualized Cost to Respondents


Type of Respondents

Form Name

Number of Respondents

Total Burden Hours

Average Hourly Wage Rate

Total Cost Burden

U.S. General Population

Landline screener

375,000

6,250

$26.00

$162,500

Cell phone screener

292,682

4,879

$26.00

$126,854

Field test screener

900

15

$26.00

$390

Annual Survey Respondents (Adults > 18 Years)


BRFSS core survey

480,000

120,000

$26.00

$3,120,000

BRFSS optional modules

440,000

110,000

$26.00

$2,860,000

Field Test Respondents (Adults ≥18 Years)

Field test

500

375

$26.00

$9,750

Total





$6,279,494


  1. Estimates of Other Total Annual Cost Burden to Respondents or Record Keepers


There are no maintenance or capital costs to respondents.


  1. Annualized Cost to Federal Government


Costs that are presented below include data collection, weighting and sampling as well as data distribution (i.e. websites and production of data sets). These are based on the funds provided to states for data collection as well as internal BRFSS costs.


Annualized Estimated Cost to the Federal Government

Estimated funds provided to states

$14,000,000

Estimated CDC BRFSS budget

$3,500,000

Total

$17,500,000


  1. Explanation for Program Changes or Adjustments


The BRFSS Questionnaire is updated annually. This request includes the most current even-numbered year core questionnaire (to be field in 2020 and 2022; see Attachment 3a) and the most current odd-numbered year questionnaire (to be fielded in 2019 and 2021; see Attachment 3b). Changes to the 2020, 2021 and 2022 questionnaires will be submitted in the Annual Change Requests for their corresponding years.


The total number of BRFSS interviews has declined in recent years. The estimated 480,000 completed interviews may be higher than the number actually conducted annually from 2019-2022. The proportion of the sample dedicated to cell phones has also increased to reflect phone usage of potential respondents.



  1. Plans for Tabulation and Publication and Project Time Schedule


Data collection for the BRFSS is scheduled to begin on January 1 annually. Data will be submitted monthly to CDC for editing and cleaning. Quarterly data quality reports are provided to states by the CDC. Final data sets for each year will be received from the states by February. Editing, cleaning and weighting of the data will take place until July. Final weighted data sets (see description below) will be returned to the states by September. Datasets and supporting technical documentation will be available for public use by October of the following year.



A. 16 – 1 Project Time Schedule

Activity

Approximate Time Schedule

Annual CDC/BRFSS partner meeting

Spring

Field testing of new or modified portions of the BRFSS core or optional modules

May - August of preceding year

Data collection

January 1 – December 31 of current calendar year

Monthly data submission

February- January of current calendar year

Quarterly data quality reports

March, June, September, December

Data cleaning and editing

March - July of current calendar year

Weighting

January - July of following calendar year

Final data sets to states

By September of following calendar year

Final public use datasets with supporting documentation

By October of following calendar year


The CDC assists the states by weighting each state’s dataset annually. Once all data are received from the states, CDC staff members apply individual respondent weights to ensure that the persons interviewed most accurately reflect the population of each state. Weighting is completed in two steps: a design weight to correct for the probability of selection and a raking (iterative proportional fitting) weighting process to match the demographic characteristics of the respondent to those of the population.


Design weights are based on the number of phones and eligible respondents in each household for landline phone numbers for each of the geostrata defined in the states’ samples. Cell phone respondents are treated as single adult households in the design weights. The formulae for the design weights are:


Stratum weight (_STRWT) = (number of records in the strata)/(number of records selected)

Design Weight = _STRWT* (1/number of phones within the household) * (number of eligible adults within the household)


Raking weights are based on population totals obtained from a private vendor (Neilson), the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS), and the American Community Survey (ACS). The vendor provides updated, county-level estimates and race/ethnicity totals which are not available from the Census in a timely manner. The following variables are used in the raking process: age, race, Hispanic ethnicity, home ownership, sex, phone ownership, (sub) state region, marital status and education. While the same variables are used for weighting for each state, in some instances the categories are collapsed differently from one state to the next. For example, if the state has a very small number of Asian residents, then there might not be sufficient numbers of respondents to include Asian as a separate race category. In these cases, smaller groups may be collapsed into a single category. Once raking weights are assigned a final weight is provided for each respondent using the formula:


Total Weight = Design weight * Raking weight


Because states may ask optional modules to only portions of their samples (split samples) several sets of weights are calculated for each state. These weights are also provided to the public on the BRFSS website (at www.cdc.gov/brfss) with technical documentation on the appropriate use of each weight assignment.


  1. Reason(s) Display of OMB Expiration Date is Inappropriate

N/A. The expiration date will be displayed.


  1. Exceptions to Certification for Paperwork Reduction Act Submissions

There are no exceptions to the certification.


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