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WISH Query: Behavioral Risk Factor Survey Trend Data - State, Regions, Counties

(Data updated March 2024)

This module offers state and sub-state level estimates from the Behavioral Risk Factor Survey (BRFS), a telephone survey of Wisconsin adults. Starting with 2011, BRFS began including both landline and cell phone interviews, obtained from separate samples and later combined and weighted by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Prior to 2011, only landline telephone numbers were sampled. The Wisconsin BRFS Trend Data Module includes only topics that have appeared in the survey since 2000. BRFS data are weighted to represent the state's non-institutionalized adult population ages 18 and older (see Technical Notes).

This Trend Data module provides BRFS estimates by county, with some restrictions based on the number of interviews. The All Counties Module also provides estimates by county for specific three-year periods.

The Wisconsin Behavioral Risk Factor Survey is part of the national Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, which is coordinated by the CDC. Every state and U.S. territory health department conducts the survey as part of the system, whose purpose is to collect information on adult health-risking behaviors, health conditions, use of preventive care and other health-related topics.

To define your query, choose a topic (BRFS definitions) from the list in Step 1. This will be the row variable in your table. Step 2 lets you decide whether to see standard results (percents) or age-adjusted results. Define a column variable for the table in Step 3 by selecting either years, geographic areas, a respondent characteristic or a second survey measure.

If desired, use Steps 4-6 to further refine your request. Select one or more available data years in Step 4. Step 5 lets you produce results for Wisconsin statewide; DHS regions; selected counties; or the City of Milwaukee and the balance of Milwaukee County. Step 6 lets you focus results on subgroups of respondents. Please note, it is strongly recommended that you combine two or more years of data for analysis by subgroups to increase the reliability of estimates.

Results will be reported only when at least 100 interviews have been completed on the selected item.

Technical Notes
Wisconsin BRFS
Definitions of BRFS Measures
Confidence Intervals
Output Tables
Relative Standard Error
Age Adjustment

Step 1. Choose a Topic (topic will define the table rows)

Topic

Risk Factors

Health Conditions

Health Screening

Step 2. Choose measure

Measure

Step 3. Choose a Column Variable

Column Variable

Respondent characteristics

Another survey measure

Step 4. Choose Survey Years (default is most recent year)

Survey Year

Note to users who want to estimate population numbers for a condition or risk factor: If results are based on more than one year of data, divide the "Estimated Number in Population" by the number of years. This will produce an average population estimate for the time period. (See Technical Notes.)

Step 5. Choose One or More Geographic Areas

Wisconsin: (default)
DHS Region: Click the Region" button. Then click one region, or hold down the Control (Ctrl) key and click multiple regions.
County: Click the "County" button. Then click one county, or hold down the Control (Ctrl) key and click multiple counties.
Milwaukee County Only:

  • City of Milwaukee
  • Balance of Milwaukee County

Breakdown of Milwaukee data is not available for 2022, but 2022 Milwaukee data as a whole will work via the county filter.

Geographic Area

Step 6. Select Subgroups to Include and/or Refine Column Groups Selected in Step 3.

Specific Characteristics

To send your request for data now.

To clear all selections and start over.

Glossary

 
Last revised March 21, 2024