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Comparative Study
. 2003 Aug;93(8):1335-41.
doi: 10.2105/ajph.93.8.1335.

A comparison of national estimates from the National Health Interview Survey and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

David E Nelson  1 , Eve Powell-Griner, Machell Town, Mary Grace Kovar
Affiliations
Comparative Study

A comparison of national estimates from the National Health Interview Survey and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

David E Nelson et al. Am J Public Health. 2003 Aug.

Abstract

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to compare national estimates from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

Methods: The authors compared data from the 2 surveys on smoking, height, weight, body mass index, diabetes, hypertension, immunization, lack of insurance coverage, cost as a barrier to medical care, and health status.

Results: Overall national estimates were similar for 13 of the 14 measures examined. Small differences according to demographic characteristics were found for height and body mass index, with larger differences for health status.

Conclusions: Although estimates differed within subgroups, the BRFSS provided national estimates comparable to those of the NHIS. BRFSS national data could provide rapidly available information to guide national policy and program decisions.

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References

    1. Current Estimates From the National Health Interview Survey, 1996. Hyattsville, Md: National Center for Health Statistics; 1999. DHHS publication PHS 99-1528. - PubMed
    1. Promoting Health/Preventing Disease: Objectives for the Nation. Washington, DC: US Public Health Service; 1980.
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    1. Healthy People 2010. Washington, DC: US Dept of Health and Human Services; 2000.
    1. Nelson DE, Holtzman D, Waller M, Leutzinger C, Condon K. Objectives and design of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. In: Proceedings of the 1998 American Statistical Association Section on Survey Research Methods, Dallas, Tex, August 1998. Alexandria, Va: American Statistical Association; 1998:214–218.

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