Tuesday, May 13, 2025
5/13/2025
Rhode Island Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) - The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) has collected and used data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (RIBRFSS) since 1984 and serves as the premier source of state-specific, population-based estimates of the prevalence of various behaviors, health conditions, and preventive health care practices among Rhode Island adults. BRFSS results are used by RIDOH, state agencies, academic institutions, non-profit organizations and others to develop and evaluate programs that promote the health of Rhode Island residents. RIBRFSS has two goals: 1) enhance RIBRFSS planning capacity and partnerships to successfully execute all aspects of survey administration, collection, analysis, and 2) ensure RIBRFSS surveillance activities are conducted with scientific rigor and data are disseminated and used by a broad audience. To achieve these goals, RIDOH will deploy following strategies: engage partners and increase BRFSS Advisory Committee membership; implement an inclusive annual questionnaire planning process and administer the survey to at least 4,000 RI adult residents that conforms to CDC procedures; and release BRFSS data annually in a timely manner and track wide distribution of BRFSS data products. RIBRFSS is submitting a competitive application to make timely, essential and achievable enhancements. A request to fund the survey administration contract with ICF is included as RIBRFSS strives to increase the percent of cell phone sample (targeting wireless only households) while maintaining a modest but sufficient percentage of landline sample. The budget also includes funding to support the BRFSS Coordinator and BRFSS epidemiologist to assure annual goals are set and achieved at a high level. The BRFSS grant is a vital cooperative agreement and an investment toward maintaining and enhancing surveillance infrastructure and the capacity to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with chronic diseases, injury, and health risk b ehaviors, and health disparities.
HHS’ Tracking Accountability in Government Grants System (TAGGS) website provides access to detailed descriptions of grants, loans, aggregated direct payments and other types of financial assistance awarded by the HHS Operating Divisions (OPDIVs) and the Office of the Secretary Staff Divisions (STAFFDIVs).