Surveillance of Certain Health Behaviors and Conditions Among States and Selected Local Areas — Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, United Sta

Chronic diseases and conditions (e.g., heart disease, cancer, stroke, and diabetes) are the leading causes of death in the United States. Controlling health risk behaviors and conditions (e.g., smoking, physical inactivity, poor diet, excessive drinking, and obesity) and using preventive health-care services (e.g., physical examination, vaccination, screening for high blood pressure and high cholesterol, consumption of fruits and vegetables, and participation in regular leisure-time physical activity) can reduce morbidity and mortality from chronic diseases.

Reporting Period: January 2009–December 2009.

Description of the System: The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is an ongoing state-based random-digit–dialed telephone survey of noninstitutionalized adults aged ≥18 years residing in the United States. BRFSS collects data on health risk behaviors and conditions, chronic diseases and conditions, access to health care, and use of preventative health services and practices related to the leading causes of death and disabilities in the United States. This report presents results for 2009 for all 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico, Guam, the U.S. Virgin Islands, 180 metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas (MMSAs), and 283 selected counties.

• Binge Drinking

Binge drinking was defined as adult men having five or more drinks and adult women having four or more drinks on at least one occasion during the last 30 days. In 2009, the estimated overall prevalence of binge drinking among adults aged ≥18 years ranged from 6.8% in Tennessee to 23.9% in Wisconsin (median: 15.5%) (Table 31). Among selected MMSAs, the estimated prevalence of binge drinking ranged from 3.5% in Provo–Orem, Utah, to 23.2% in Butte–Silver Bow, Montana (median: 15.5%) (Table 32). Among selected counties, the estimated prevalence ranged from 3.4% in Utah County Utah, to 26.3% in Macomb County, Michigan (median: 15.5%) (Table 33).

• Heavy Drinking

Heavy drinking was defined as adult men having more than two drinks and adult women having more than one drink per day during the last 30 days. In 2009, the estimated overall prevalence of heavy drinking among adults aged ≥18 years ranged from 1.9% in Tennessee to 8.1% in Vermont (median: 5.1%) (Table 34). Among selected MMSAs, the estimated prevalence of heavy drinking ranged from 1.0% in Provo–Orem, Utah, to 11.1% in Kapaa, Hawaii (median: 5.1%) (Table 35). Among selected counties, the estimated prevalence ranged from 0.9% in Utah County, Utah, to 11.1% in Kauai County, Hawaii (median: 5.1%) (Table 36).


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