Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System: Information for Participants
Have you been contacted to participate in Wisconsin BRFSS?
Survey calls for the Wisconsin Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) are taking place now. Wisconsin landline or cellular telephone numbers are randomly selected and will receive a call from our contractor, ABT Associates. Calling takes place seven days a week, Monday to Friday 9 a.m. to 9 p.m., Saturday 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday 1 to 8 p.m.
If you have questions or would like to arrange a time to complete the survey, call 877-551-6138.
Why your participation matters
Your assistance is vital to our efforts to collect high-quality data and provide the public with robust health-related information. Taking part in the survey is voluntary, but very important to make sure that the results truly represent the people of Wisconsin. We recognize that some people may be hesitant to answer questions from strangers or may have concerns about providing personal information in a survey. While we may ask personal health-related questions, we will never ask for your full name, social security number, credit card information, or other personally identifiable information.
Frequently asked questions
The BRFSS is a telephone survey conducted by state health departments in collaboration with the CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention).
BRFSS collects data in all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia and three U.S. territories.
BRFSS completes more than 400,000 adult interviews each year nationwide, making it the largest continuously conducted health survey system in the world!
Every year we randomly select phone numbers from Wisconsinites in every county.
We try to select participants of all ages, sexes, and races/ethnicities to ensure we have a good representation of the Wisconsin population in the survey data we collect.
Your number was one of the thousands randomly selected, and we hope you will participate.
Although taking part in the survey is voluntary, your participation is important in our goal of having a sample of Wisconsin residents that looks like the state’s overall population.
We value your time and participation in our effort to understand the health trends and habits of Wisconsinites, evaluate public education campaigns, and monitor public health programs.
You will be asked questions about chronic health conditions you may have, health-related risk behaviors you may or may not engage in, and your use of preventive services.
You will not be asked for personally identifiable information, such as your full name, social security number, or credit card information.
You are not required to answer every question.
We hope that you will answer questions to the best of your knowledge. Doing so helps us get the most accurate data to represent Wisconsin’s residents.
On average, the interview takes about 25 minutes to complete.
The Do Not Call Registry applies to telemarketers with whom you do not have a previous business relationship. Survey research is exempt from the Do Not Call Registry.
If you have questions about BRFSS data and reports, email dhsbrfss@dhs.wisconsin.gov.
If you want to arrange a callback time for your survey interview or ask questions before you participate, call 877-551-6138.