BRFSS Questionnaires

The BRFSS questionnaire is designed by a working group of BRFSS state coordinators and CDC staff. The questionnaire is approved by all state coordinators.

Currently, the questionnaire has three parts: 1) the core component, consisting of the fixed core, rotating core, and emerging core, 2) optional modules, and 3) state-added questions.

All health departments must ask the core component questions without modification in wording, however, the modules are optional.

The fixed core is a standard set of questions asked by all states that includes questions on demographic characteristics, plus queries on current health behaviors, such as tobacco use and seatbelt use. The rotating core is made up of two distinct sets of questions, each asked in alternating years by all states, addressing different topics. In the years that rotating core topics are not used, they are supported as optional modules. The emerging core is a set of up to five questions that are added to the fixed and rotating cores. Emerging core questions typically focus on “late breaking” issues. These questions are part of the core for one year and are evaluated during, or soon after the year concludes to determine their potential value in future surveys.

Please Select the Options Below

Optional CDC modules are questions on specific topics (e.g., smokeless tobacco) that states elect to use on their questionnaires. Although the modules are optional, CDC standards require that if they are used, they must be used without modification. Module topics have included survey items on smokeless tobacco, oral health, cardiovascular disease, and firearms.

Some general descriptive info about the types of information available for this topic.

Questions Archive

Search the Historical Questions Database

Generally, data and materials produced by federal agencies are in the public domain and may be reproduced without permission.

Some materials are provided from existing publications. When this is the case, the publication should be cited if referenced.

When citing information from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System that is outside a specific publication, we suggest the following citation styles.

For BRFSS Survey Data

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey Data. Atlanta, Georgia: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, [appropriate data year or years].

For BRFSS Survey Questions

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey Questionnaire. Atlanta, Georgia: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, [appropriate year or years].

Use of Keywords

When identifying keywords in your work, please include the following entries:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
CDC
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
BRFSS