The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) SMART project provides county-level prevalence data for selected metropolitan areas from 2011 to 2012. Data is collected via a continuous state-based surveillance system combining landline and cell phone surveys, focusing on modifiable risk factors for chronic diseases. The dataset is hosted by data.cdc.gov and was last updated in August 2023.
Use Cases
- Analyze geographic disparities in health behaviors by comparing Data_value and Confidence_limit_High across different Locationdesc.
- Model the relationship between demographic factors (implied by GeoLocation fields) and specific risk factor Responses like smoking or obesity.
- Track trends over time for specific Questions (e.g., physical activity) by analyzing Data_value across Year and Locationabbr.
- Identify counties with high prevalence of risk factors for targeted interventions using Locationdesc, Data_value, and Sample_Size.
Strengths
- Data is sourced from the authoritative Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), a continuous federal survey.
- Includes confidence intervals (Confidence_limit_High, Confidence_limit_Low) for statistical reliability assessment.
- Provides granular geographic detail with county-level identifiers (Locationdesc) and geospatial coordinates (GeoLocation).
Limitations
- Row count is unknown, which may limit suitability assessment.
- Data covers only 2011-2012; freshness should be verified for current analyses.
- Sample_Size criteria (500+ respondents per county) may exclude smaller or less populated areas.
Provenance
- Source
- data.cdc.gov via the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).
- Collection Method
- Combined landline and cell phone survey data from selected metropolitan area counties with 500 or more respondents.
- Time Range
- 2011 to 2012.
- Freshness
- Last updated 2023-08-25 14:00:19; data values cover 2011-2012.
- Geography
- Selected metropolitan area counties within the United States.