What is the BRFSS?

The BRFSS is an ongoing telephone health survey of adults conducted in all 50 states and coordinated by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The survey collects information on health conditions, behaviors, preventive practices, and access to health care. Thousands of Missourians participate in the survey each year. Households are randomly selected to participate and perhaps you or someone you know was called by our survey staff. Listed and unlisted residential landline and cell phone numbers are included in the survey.

Why should I answer the call?

The survey takes about 25 minutes and asks questions about your general health and specific conditions like asthma, access to health care, physical activity and cancer screening. The information we collect helps us understand the health landscape in our state. The BRFSS survey has significantly contributed to public health by tracking health behaviors and evaluating progress toward achieving national, state, and local public health goals.

How do I know that the phone call isn’t a scam?

DHSS works with the University of Missouri-Columbia to conduct the survey. The interviewer will identify his/herself as calling from the Missouri Department of Health and will ask no personally identifiable questions. We don’t know and won’t ask for your name. Your phone number is not connected to your survey responses. The phone call you receive should come from this number: 573-884-0152. If you have concerns, please contact our office at 573-522-2808 so we can investigate.

Percent of Missouri adults living with health conditions

Health Conditions Data Year Prevalence % Lower CI Upper CI
Current Asthma 2021 9.5 8.7 10.3
Arthritis 2021 29.2 28.0 30.3
Cancer - other than skin 2021 7.9 7.2 8.6
Skin Cancer 2021 7.1 6.5 7.8
Diabetes 2021 12.2 11.4 13.0
High Blood Pressure 2021 35.1 33.8 36.3
High Cholesterol 2021 36.0 34.6 37.4
Angina or Coronary Heart Disease 2021 4.2 3.7 4.7
Myocardial Infarction or "Heart Attack" 2021 5.0 4.4 5.5
Stroke 2021 3.5 3.1 4.0
Depressive Disorder 2021 22.8 21.6 24.0
COPD 2021 8.6 7.8 9.3
Kidney Disease 2021 2.9 2.5 3.3

Percent of Missouri adults with risk factors

Risk Factors Data Year Prevalence % Lower CI Upper CI
Fair or Poor General Health Status 2021 17.2 16.2 18.2
No Health Care Coverage - Ages 18-64 2021 12.5 11.3 13.7
Current Cigarette Smoking 2021 17.6 16.5 18.6
Binge Drinking (Women) 2021 11.7 10.3 13.0
Binge Drinking (Men) 2021 22.2 20.4 23.9
Ate Fruits & Vegetables 5 or more times per day 2021 9.7 8.9 10.6
No Leisure Time Physical Activity in past month 2021 25.3 24.1 26.5
Overweight 2021 32.1 30.8 33.4
Obesity 2021 37.3 35.9 38.7
Did not always wear a seat belt 2020 9.6 8.8 10.4

Percent of Missouri adults engaging in preventive practices

Immunizations in past year Data Year Prevalence % Lower CI Upper CI
Influenza - Ages 18 and older 2021 45.2 43.8 46.6
Influenza - Age 65 and older 2021 69.8 67.6 71.9
Pneumococcal - Age 65 and older 2021 72.7 70.5 74.8
Lung Cancer Screening Data Year Prevalence % Lower CI Upper CI
Computed tomography - Age 55-80, smoking history 2019 13.0 10.1 15.9
Breast and Cervical Cancer Screening Data Year Prevalence % Lower CI Upper CI
Mammogram - within 2 years, age 40 and older 2020 70.0 68.0 72.0
Pap Test - within 3 years, age 18 and older 2020 69.3 67.6 71.1
Colorectal Cancer Screening Data Year Prevalence % Lower CI Upper CI
Home Blood Stool Test - within 2 years 2020 12.7 11.5 13.9
Sigmoidoscopy or Colonoscopy - age 50-75 years old 2020 73.1 71.3 75
Prostate Cancer Screening Data Year Prevalence % Lower CI Upper CI
Prostate Specific Antigen (PSA) - Age 40 and older 2020 32.9 30.5 35.2
Oral Health Data Year Prevalence % Lower CI Upper CI
Visited a dentist in past year 2020 63 61.7 64.4
General Data Year Prevalence % Lower CI Upper CI
Received 3-dose series of hepatitis B vaccine 2018 38.1 36.0 40.2
HIV/AIDS Test - Ages 18 and older 2021 34.1 32.8 35.5

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Note: In 2011, data from interviews with adult cell phone-only users were added to data from landline interviews. Additionally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention began weighting BRFSS data using a new methodology that is explained in the fact sheet. Therefore, 2011-2021 BRFSS data should not be compared to previous years' data.