A Comparison of National Estimates From the National Health Interview Survey and the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
David E. Nelson, MD, MPH,
Eve Powell-Griner, PhD,
Machell Town, MS and
Mary Grace Kovar, DrPH
At the time of this study, David E. Nelson was with the Division of Cancer Control and Population Sciences, National Cancer Institute, Bethesda, Md. Eve Powell-Griner is with the National Center for Health Statistics, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Hyattsville, Md. Machell Town is with the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, Ga. Mary Grace Kovar is with the National Opinion Research Center, Washington, DC.
Correspondence: Correspondence should be sent to David E. Nelson, MD, MPH, Office on Smoking and Health, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 4770 Buford Hwy NE, Mail Stop K-50, Atlanta, GA 30341 (e-mail: den2{at}cdc.gov).
Objectives. The purpose of this study was to compare nationalestimates from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) andthe 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 the14 measures examined. Small differences according to demographiccharacteristics were found for height and body mass index, withlarger differences for health status.
Conclusions. Although estimates differed within subgroups, theBRFSS provided national estimates comparable to those of theNHIS. BRFSS national data could provide rapidly available informationto guide national policy and program decisions.
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