Personal health behaviors play a major role in premature morbidity and mortality. Having access to data about behaviors informs us about the present state of the population, shows opportunities for change, and shows comparable data over time.
Indicators linked below present additional detail with the opportunity to observe differences by age, gender, race, income and more depending upon the selection.
The purpose of the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey is to obtain estimates of the prevalence of personal health behaviors that contribute to morbidity and mortality. The survey was established by the Centers for Diseases Control and Prevention in 1984 and began with 15 states. BRFSS now collects data in all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia and three U.S. territories. In Florida, BRFSS is conducted not only at the state level, but also at the county level with surveys conducted in 2002, 2007, 2010, 2013 and 2016. Starting in 2017, the Florida Department of Health began using a three-year rolling rate methodology to provide annual county-level data. Rolling rates are calculated by combining data across several consecutive years into one measure. Starting with 2017-2019, survey completes from each of the 67 counties are combined across 3 year survey periods in order to produce statistically valid county-level estimates. This methodology was designed to better meet programmatic needs for local-level data. The target population of BRFSS are people 18 years and older, who reside in a Florida household.
NOTE: Caution should be taken when comparing data from 2013 with previous years due to changes in survey methodology.
The Florida Youth Survey (FYS) is a multi-agency youth health behavior surveillance program coordinated by the Florida Departments of Health, Children and Families, and Education. The FYS is a statewide, school-based survey effort which includes four survey instruments administered to Florida public middle and high school students. Two of the surveys include county level data: the Florida Youth Tobacco Survey (FYTS), and the Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey (FYSAS). The FYTS tracks indicators of tobacco use, attitudes, and exposure to secondhand smoke and provides data for monitoring and evaluating tobacco use among youth. The FYSAS assesses risk and protective factors for substance abuse, in addition to substance use prevalence, including alcohol, prescription and illicit drug use among youth.
Schools and classrooms are randomly selected and the survey responses are anonymous. The FYS is administered January through March every year. The FYTS and FYSAS collect state-level data during odd numbered years and county-level data during even numbered years.
The Florida Youth Tobacco Survey (FYTS) has been conducted among youths in Florida every year since 1998. State-level data is collected during odd numbered years and county-level data during even numbered years.
The Florida Youth Substance Abuse Survey (FYSAS) data is collected at the state-level during odd numbered years and at the county-level during even numbered years.
FLHealthCharts.gov is provided by the Florida Department of Health, Division of Public Health Statistics and Performance Management.
Data Sources
1 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) - Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Community Health Promotion
2 Florida Youth Health Behavior Surveys (FYTS and FYSAS) - Florida Department of Health, Bureau of Community Health Promotion