BRFSS Configuration Selection
Overview
Select BRFSS data from recent years (2011-forward) by clicking on a green bar, below.Starting in 2011, improvements were made to the BRFSS sampling and weighting procedures to allow BRFSS data to better represent the Kentucky population. Most importantly, beginning in 2011, respondents using cell phones were included in the survey, while in previous years, only respondents using land-line telephones were included. Data from the earlier period are not comparable to data from 2011-forward.
The KY-BRFS data are maintained by the Kentucky Department for Public Health, Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Branch.
Data Notice/Alert
{{class BlueText Change to BRFSS Age-adjustment Age Groups:[[br]] On September 6, 2016, the age groupings used for BRFSS in direct age-adjustment were changed to conform with those used in Healthy People 2020. The two methods should produce very similar age-adjusted rates, but you should expect to see small differences.}}Getting Started
Click on a green bar to open and close selections to see a list of measures available.Uninsured
Do you have any kind of health care coverage, including health insurance, prepaid plans such as HMOs, or government plans such as Medicare?Uninsured, 18-64
Do you have any kind of health care coverage, including health insurance, prepaid plans such as HMOs, or government plans such as Medicare?Primary Provider
Do you have one or more person you think of as your personal doctor or health care provider?Unable to Get Needed Care Due to Cost
Was there a time in the last 12 months when you needed to see a doctor, but could not because of the cost?
Physical Inactivity
During the past month, other than your regular job,did you participate in any physical activities or exercises such as running, calisthenics, golf, gardening, or walking for exercise?Recommended Physical Activity
Based on a series of survey questions to estimate the proportion of adults who engaged in aerobic physical activity of at least moderate intensity for at least 150 minutes/week, or 75 minutes/week of vigorous intensity, or an equivalent combination. The criteria were slightly different before 2011.BMI
Categories include Underweight, Appropriate Weight, Overweight and Obese.
How much do you weigh without shoes? How tall are you without shoes? (Underweight is defined at a BMI less than 18.5, Normal is defined as a BMI 18.5 to less than 25; Overweight, but not obese, is defined as a BMI 25 to less than 30; Obese is defined as a BMI of 30 or more.)BMI
Categories include Underweight, Appropriate Weight, Overweight and Obese.
How much do you weigh without shoes? How tall are you without shoes? (Underweight is defined at a BMI less than 18.5, Normal is defined as a BMI 18.5 to less than 25; Overweight, but not obese, is defined as a BMI 25 to less than 30; Obese is defined as a BMI of 30 or more.)
Current Cigarette Smoking
Have you smoked at least 100 cigarettes in your entire life? Do you now smoke cigarettes every day, some days, or not at all?Current and Former Smoking Status
Four-level smoker status- Everyday smoker, Someday smoker, Former smoker, Non-smoker.Smoking Cessation Attempt
During the past 12 months, have you stopped smoking for one day or longer because you were trying to quit smoking? BRFSS query includes current smokers only.Current Smokeless Tobacco
Do you currently use chewing tobacco, snuff, or snus every day, some days, or not at all? This question is available in even years starting in 2009.Alcohol Consumption
Calculated total number of alcoholic beverages consumed per month.Chronic Heavy Drinking
Chronic heavy drinkers include adult men who have more than two drinks per day and adult women who have more than one drink per day.Episodic Heavy Drinking (Binge Drinking)
Considering all types of alcoholic beverages, how many times during the past 30 days did you have 5 or more drinks (for men or 4 or more drinks for women) on an occasion?Drinking and Driving
Drinking and driving is defined as adults who report that they drove after having "perhaps too much to drink" at least once in past 30 days. Question asked in even-numbered years.Seat Belt
How often do you use seat belts when you drive or ride in a car? Would you say: Always, nearly always, sometimes, seldom, or never? Question available in even years 2006-2010 and all years starting in 2011.
Routine Doctor Visit
About how long has it been since you last visited a doctor for a routine checkup? [A routine checkup is a general physical exam, not an exam for a specific injury, illness, or condition.] Question is available in all years starting in 2005.Mammogram
A mammogram is an x-ray of each breast to look for breast cancer. Have you had a mammogram in the past two years? BRFSS query includes women age 40+ in even-numbered years only.Mammogram
A mammogram is an x-ray of each breast to look for breast cancer. Have you had a mammogram in the past two years? BRFSS query includes women age 50+ in even-numbered years only.Mammogram (USPSTF Definition)
This measure uses the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) Guidelines definition for breast cancer screening. The USPSTF recommends breast cancer screening with a mammogram every 2 years for women aged 50-74 years. This question was asked of women age 50-74, in even-numbered years only.Pap Test
A Pap test is a test for cancer of the cervix. Have you ever had a Pap test? How long has it been since you had your last Pap test? BRFSS query includes women in even-numbered years only.Pap Test (USPSTF Definition)
This measure uses the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) Guidelines definition for cervical cancer screening. The USPSTF recommends cervical cancer screening (1) every 3 years with a Pap test for women aged 21-65 years or (2) a combination of Pap test and human papillomavirus (HPV) testing every 5 years for women aged 30-65 years. BRFSS query includes persons age 50-65, in even-numbered years only.Endoscopy
Sigmoidoscopy and colonoscopy are exams in which a tube is inserted in the rectum to view the colon for signs of cancer or other health problems. Have you ever had either of these exams? (BRFSS query includes persons age 50+, in even-numbered years only.)Colorectal Cancer Screening (USPSTF Definition)
This measure uses the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) Guidelines definition for colorectal cancer screening. The USPSTF recommends several tests for the prevention or early detection of CRC among adults aged 50-75 years: (1) high-sensitivity FOBT (guaiac-based FOBT or fecal immunochemical test [FIT]) annually, (2) colonoscopy every 10 years, or (3) sigmoidoscopy every 5 years with FOBT every 3 years. The BRFSS does not differentiate between the guaiac-based FOBT and the FIT. BRFSS query includes persons age 50-75, in even-numbered years only.Cholesterol Test
Blood cholesterol is a fatty substance found in the blood. Have you EVER had your blood cholesterol checked? About how long has it been since you last had your blood cholesterol checked? Question asked in odd-numbered years only.Influenza Vaccination
A flu shot is an influenza vaccine injected in your arm. During the past 12 months, have you had a flu shot? During the past 12 months, have you had a flu vaccine that was sprayed in your nose? The flu vaccine that is sprayed in the nose is also called FluMist. BRFSS query includes only those persons age 65+.Pneumococcal Vaccination
Have you ever had a pneumonia shot? A pneumonia shot or pneumococcal vaccine is usually given only once or twice in a persons lifetime and is different from the flu shot. Have you ever had a pneumonia shot? BRFSS query includes only those persons age 65+.Dental Visit
How long has it been since you last visited a dentist or a dental clinic for any reason? Include visits to dental specialists, such as orthodontists. Question asked in even-numbered years only.Teeth Extracted Due to Decay or Gum Disease
How many of your permanent teeth have been removed because of tooth decay or gum disease? Include teeth lost to infection, but do not include teeth lost for other reasons, such as injury or orthodontics. (Question asked in even-numbered years.)All Natural Teeth Extracted
Adults aged 65+ who have had all their natural teeth extracted because of tooth decay or gum disease.HIV Test
Have you EVER been tested for HIV?
Current Doctor-diagnosed Arthritis
Have you ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that you have some form of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus, or fibromyalgia? Question is asked in odd-numbered years only.Doctor-diagnosed Asthma
Have you ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that you had asthma?Current Doctor-diagnosed Asthma
Have you ever been told by a doctor, nurse, or other health professional that you had asthma? Do you still have asthma?High Blood Pressure
Have you EVER been told by a doctor, nurse, or other health professional that you have high blood pressure? Question is asked in odd-numbered years only.High Cholesterol
Have you EVER been told by a doctor, nurse or other health professional that your blood cholesterol is high? (Includes only those persons who have ever had a cholesterol screening test. Question asked in odd-numbered years only.Doctor-diagnosed Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction)
Have you ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that you had a heart attack, also called a myocardial infarction? Question available beginning in 2005.Doctor-diagnosed Coronary Heart Disease
Have you ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that you had angina or coronary heart disease? Question available beginning in 2005.Doctor-diagnosed Coronary Heart Disease or MI
Answered "Yes" to either: "Have you ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that you had a heart attack, also called a myocardial infarction?" or "Have you ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that you had angina or coronary heart disease?" Questions available beginning in 2005.Doctor-diagnosed Stroke
Have you ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that you had a stroke? Question available beginning in 2005.Doctor-diagnosed Diabetes
Have you ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that you have diabetes?Doctor-diagnosed Pre-diabetes
Have you ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that you have pre-diabetes or borderline diabetes? (If "Yes" and respondent is female: "Was this only when you were pregnant?") If the respondent reported that they had been diagnosed with diabetes they were coded as NOT having pre-diabetes. Question available beginning in 2008.BMI
Categories include Underweight, Appropriate Weight, Overweight and Obese.
How much do you weigh without shoes? How tall are you without shoes? (Underweight is defined at a BMI less than 18.5, Normal is defined as a BMI 18.5 to less than 25; Overweight, but not obese, is defined as a BMI 25 to less than 30; Obese is defined as a BMI of 30 or more.)BMI
Categories include Underweight, Appropriate Weight, Overweight and Obese.
How much do you weigh without shoes? How tall are you without shoes? (Underweight is defined at a BMI less than 18.5, Normal is defined as a BMI 18.5 to less than 25; Overweight, but not obese, is defined as a BMI 25 to less than 30; Obese is defined as a BMI of 30 or more.)
Doctor-diagnosed Skin Cancer
Have you ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that you had skin cancer? Question available beginning in 2011.Doctor-diagnosed Cancer Other Than Skin Cancer
Have you ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that you had any other types of cancer? (Other than skin cancer.) Question available beginning in 2011.Doctor-diagnosed Cancer (of any type)
Have you ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that you had skin cancer? [[br]] Have you ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that you had any other types of cancer? (Other than skin cancer.)[[br]] Question available beginning in 2011.Doctor-diagnosed COPD
Have you ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that you have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD, emphysema or chronic bronchitis? Question available beginning in 2011.Doctor-diagnosed Kidney Disease
Have you ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that you have kidney disease? Do NOT include kidney stones, bladder infection or incontinence.(Incontinence is not being able to control urine flow.) Question available beginning in 2011.Doctor-diagnosed Vision Problem (Even While Wearing Glasses)
Are you blind or do you have serious difficulty seeing, even when wearing glasses? [[br]]Question available beginning in 2011. Question wording changed slightly in 2013.Teeth Extracted Due to Decay or Gum Disease
How many of your permanent teeth have been removed because of tooth decay or gum disease? Include teeth lost to infection, but do not include teeth lost for other reasons, such as injury or orthodontics. (Question asked in even-numbered years.)All Natural Teeth Extracted
Adults aged 65+ who have had all their natural teeth extracted because of tooth decay or gum disease.
Percentage Who Had a Fall (Adults Age 45+)
How many times have you fallen in the last 12[3] months? Question is asked only of adults age 45 years and older. In 2006, 2008 and 2010 the question asked about falls in the last 3 months. In 2012 and later, the question asked about falls in the last 12 months.Percentage Injured in a Fall (asked only of respondents who fell)
This is a measure of the percentage of adults 45 years old or older who were injured in a fall in the last 12 months. The measure is derived from two questions, [[br]] # How many times have you fallen in the last 12 months?, and [[br]] # How many of these falls caused an injury (had to limit activities for a day or go see a doctor)? [[br]] Both questions were asked only of adults ages 45 years old or older.Percentage Injured in a Fall (asked only of respondents who fell)
This is a measure of the percentage of adults 45 years old or older who were injured in a fall in the last 12 months. The measure is derived from two questions, [[br]] # How many times have you fallen in the last 12 months?, and [[br]] # How many of these falls caused an injury (had to limit activities for a day or go see a doctor)? [[br]] Both questions were asked only of adults ages 45 years old or older.
Seat Belt
How often do you use seat belts when you drive or ride in a car? Would you say: Always, nearly always, sometimes, seldom, or never? Question available in even years 2006-2010 and all years starting in 2011.
Mental Health Past 30 Days - 6 or More Days Not Good
Now thinking about your mental health, which includes stress, depression, and problems with emotions, for how many days during the past 30 days was your mental health not good?Mental Health Past 30 Days - 14 or More Days Not Good
Now thinking about your mental health, which includes stress, depression, and problems with emotions, for how many days during the past 30 days was your mental health not good?Doctor-diagnosed Depression
Have you ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that you have a depressive disorder, including depression, major depression, dysthymia, or minor depression? Question available in 2006 and annually beginning in 2011.Felt Depressed All or Most of Last 30 Days
During the past 30 days, about how often did you feel so depressed that nothing could cheer you up? Question asked in 2007 and 2012 only.
General Health Status
Would you say that in general your health is Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair or Poor?General Health Status
Would you say that in general your health is Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair or Poor?Physical Health Past 30 Days - 6 or More Days Not Good
Now thinking about your physical health, which includes physical illness and injury, for how many days during the past 30 days was your physical health not good?Physical Health Past 30 Days - 14 or More Days Not Good
Now thinking about your physical health, which includes physical illness and injury, for how many days during the past 30 days was your physical health not good?Activities Limited Due to Physical, Mental, or Emotional Problems
Are you limited in any way because of physical, mental, or emotional problems?Special Equipment
Do you now have any health problem that requires you to use special equipment, such as a cane, a wheelchair, a special bed, or a special telephone?Disability
Includes respondents with a positive answer to either: Are you limited in any way in any activities because of physical, mental, or emotional problems? -OR- Do you now have any health problem that requires you to use special equipment, such as a cane, a wheelchair, a special bed, or a special telephone?Doctor-diagnosed Vision Problem (Even While Wearing Glasses)
Are you blind or do you have serious difficulty seeing, even when wearing glasses? [[br]]Question available beginning in 2011. Question wording changed slightly in 2013.