Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) | Vermont Department of Health
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Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
Population Health Surveys & Data
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS)
Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS)
Household Health Insurance Survey
School Health Profiles
Adult Tobacco Survey
Answer the Call to Improve Health in Vermont
The Vermont Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is a year-round phone survey.
If you get a call on behalf of the Vermont Department of Health about participating in a survey, you may have been picked to take the BRFSS survey. If you want to check if the call you got was legitimate or have questions, please call
800-869-2871
or email
[email protected]
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, or BRFSS?
The BRFSS is a telephone survey of Vermont adult residents. Telephone numbers are randomly generated by a computer and we have no way of knowing whose number we are calling, or if it is a business, residential, or unlisted number. The BRFSS is an important public health tool for measuring adult health. It does this by reaching out directly to Vermont residents so that we can learn more about areas such as chronic disease prevalence, risk behaviors, demographics, health care access, and preventive behaviors.
The number of respondents can vary from year to year. However, Vermont usually surveys between 6,000 and 7,000 adult Vermont residents annually. In order to make sure the survey is representative of all Vermont adults, both landline and cell phone users are surveyed.
Who can participate in the Vermont BRFSS?
The BRFSS surveys adults 18 and older who reside in Vermont. Adults who live in Vermont for 30 or more days out of the year are considered Vermont residents for the survey. Those who live in an institution, such as a skilled nursing facility, group home or correctional facility are not eligible.
What questions are asked in the survey?
The Vermont BRFSS includes questions on chronic disease prevalence (e.g., asthma diagnosis), risk behaviors (e.g., currently smoke), demographics (e.g., gender), health care access (e.g., health insurance), and preventive behaviors (e.g., routine doctor visits). Infectious disease information is not typically collected as part of the BRFSS. Data on infectious diseases is collected and reported by the department’s Infectious Disease Section.
My name is on the national do-not-call list. Why are you calling me?
The national do-not-call list was enacted to control telemarketing companies that sell services and products over the phone. Research calls are not included in the federal regulations that apply to telemarketing calls. The BRFSS Survey is conducted for research and does not fall under current do-not-call list laws. The Health Department is not selling anything and you can choose to not participate, but your answers will help us to evaluate and guide important public health policy and programs. Information about telephone consumer rights can be obtained from the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) or the Federal Trade Commission (FTC). Information is also available from the Vermont Secretary of State.
Who is calling me for the survey?
The Health Department contracts with an organization called ICF Macro to complete the calls on our behalf. ICF Macro has call centers with interviewers who are located in other states.
Data Reports and Summaries
The latest health data from Vermont.
2024 BRFSS Statewide Report
Feeling safe in your community can impact exercise and mental health.
Perceptions of Community Safety
The most recent tobacco use trends all in one report.
Tobacco Use in Vermont
BRFSS Annual Data Summary Reports
2024 Data Summary
2023 Data Summary
2022 Data Summary
2021 Data Summary
2019-2020 Data Summary
2018 Data Summary
2018 BRFSS Executive Summary
2017 Data Summary
2016 Data Summary
2015 Data Summary
2014 Data Summary
2013 Data Summary
2012 Data Summary
2011 Data Summary
2010 Data Summary
BRFSS Data Briefs (listed by survey year)
2024
Risk Factors Associated with Physical Inactivity among Adults with Arthritis
, April 2026
Use of Family Planning
, March 2026
Population in Focus: Disability
, March 2026
Population in Focus: Race and Ethnicity
, March 2026
Population in Focus: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
, March 2026
Population in Focus: Older Adults
, March 2026
Tobacco Disparity Charts
, February 2026
Tobacco Use
, February 2026
2023
Diabetes among Veterans
, March 2026
Population in Focus: Disability
, December 2025
Population in Focus: Race and Ethnicity
, December 2025
Population in Focus: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
, December 2025
Population in Focus: Older Adults
, December 2025
Asthma among Youth
, November 2025
Perception of Community Safety and Health
, October 2025
Arthritis
, September 2025
Unintentional Falls among Adults 45+ Years Old
, September 2025
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
, August 2025
Tobacco Disparities Charts
, August 2025
Tobacco Use
, July 2025
Reactions to Race
, July 2025
Firearm Storage Practices
, April 2025
2022
Health Risks Due to Social Isolation among Older Adults
, October 2025
Health Outcomes Related to Economic Wellbeing among Older Adults
, September 2025
Housing Insecurity among Older Adults
, August 2025
Industry and Occupation
, October 2024
Immunizations among Adults with Chronic Disease
, October 2024
Cannabis Use and Mental Health
, August 2024
Alcohol Use among Older Adults
, August 2024
Reactions to Race
, July 2024
Arthritis Burden among Adults 40+
, July 2024
Cardiovascular Disease and Food Insecurity
, July 2024
Subjective Cognitive Decline
, June 2024
Immunizations among Adults with a Disability
, May 2024
Tobacco Use
, April 2024
Population in Focus: Disability
, April 2024
Population in Focus: Race and Ethnicity
, April 2024
Population in Focus: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
, April 2024
2021
Improving Arthritis with Physical Activity and Education
, May 2025
Arthritis and Social Isolation Risk
, April 2025
Arthritis Impact on Quality of Life
, March 2025
Diabetes and Primary Care Provider Availability
, February 2025
Alcohol Use among Older Adults
, April 2023
Tobacco Use
, February 2023
2020
Firearm Storage Safety
, revised January 2023
Tobacco Use
, July 2022
Food Insecurity: Chronic Disease and Quality of Life
, April 2023
Population in Focus: Disability
, February 2023
Population in Focus: Race and Ethnicity
, February 2023
Population in Focus: Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity
, February 2023
2019
Impacts of Age of Initiation of Smoking in Vermont
, February 2023
Tobacco Use
, October 2021
Demographics: Vermont Adults with a Disability
, June 2021
2018
Disability and Risk of Suicide
, November 2022
Alcohol Use among Older Adults
, February 2020
Firearm Storage Safety
, December 2019
2017
Managing Diabetes and Heart Disease
Tobacco Use
Feelings of Community Safety for Walking
2016
Risk Factors for Subjective Cognitive Decline
Oral Health among Adults with a Disability
E-Cigarette Use
Screening for Alcohol Use
Sleep Habits
Marijuana Use
Falls among Older Adults
Tobacco Use
Alcohol Use among Older Adults
LGBT Health
Disability Demographics
Mobility Disability Demographics
Cognitive Disability Demographics
Racial and Ethnic Minority Health
2015
Cardiovascular Disease Risk
Healthy Behaviors among Adults with Diabetes
Prescription Drug Misuse
Women's Health
Men's Health
Arthritis
Diabetes
Shingles Vaccination
Cardiovascular Events among Adults with Hypertension
Marijuana Use
2014
Worksite Wellness: General Health (4 of 4)
Worksite Wellness: Risk Behaviors (3 of 4)
Worksite Wellness: Chronic Disease (2 of 4)
Worksite Wellness: Demographics (1 of 4)
Diabetes Prevention
Racial and Ethnic Minority Health
Falls Among Older Adults
Intimate Partner Violence
Perception of Weight
LGBT Health
District Office Reports – Data Profiles & Summaries
2018
The following reports were published in 2020 using BRFSS data collected in 2018.
Barre District Office - Data Profile
Bennington District Office - Data Profile
Brattleboro District Office - Data Profile
Burlington District Office - Data Profile
Middlebury District Office - Data Profile
Morrisville District Office - Data Profile
Newport District Office - Data Profile
Rutland District Office - Data Profile
Springfield District Office - Data Profile
St. Albans District Office - Data Profile
St. Johnsbury District Office - Data Profile
White River Junction District Office - Data Profile
2016
The following reports were published in 2018 using BRFSS data collected in 2016.
Barre District Office - Data Summary Report
Bennington District Office - Data Summary Report
Brattleboro District Office - Data Summary Report
Burlington District Office - Data Summary Report
Middlebury District Office - Data Summary Report
Morrisville District Office - Data Summary Report
Newport District Office - Data Summary Report
Rutland District Office - Data Summary Report
Springfield District Office - Data Summary Report
St. Albans District Office - Data Summary Report
St. Johnsbury District Office - Data Summary Report
White River Junction District Office - Data Summary Report
Other BRFSS Reports
Comprehensive Health Equity Report, 2024
BRFSS & YRBS Population Health, 2015
Adult Workforce Health Summary, 2015
The Health of Vermonters Living with Disabilites, 2016
Accessible Version
The message at the top of certain CDC web pages regarding what the federal administration calls "gender ideology" does not reflect the views of the Vermont Department of Health. The Health Department will continue to collect data and share guidance for people of all identities to promote the physical, mental and social well-being of all people in Vermont.
More Resources
BRFSS FAQs
Summary of BRFSS Questions 2000-2010
Summary of BRFSS Questions 2011-2025
Topics:
Chronic Disease
April 10, 2026