Tuesday, May 13, 2025
5/13/2025
VI Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System - Project Abstract Summary Like the continental United States, chronic diseases pose a major health challenge to the United States Virgin Islands (USVI). The USVI Bureau of Vital Statistics report major cardiovascular diseases as the leading cause of death, accounting for nearly one-third of all deaths. The ageadjusted mortality rate for diabetes in USVI (34.1 per 100,000) is 58% greater than that of the United States (21.5 per 100,000). Deaths due to essential hypertension and renal hypertension are also extremely high. Without an understanding of the behaviors associated with increased risk of chronic disease, policy makers and public health officials are at a distinct disadvantage when attempting to plan for and manage resources to improve health outcomes. This Behavioral Health Risk Factor Surveillance System Cooperative Agreement will allow the Virgin Islands Department of Health (VI-DOH) to gather the data needed to focus chronic disease funding on evidence-based interventions that target those behaviors that contribute greatest to the burden of disease in the territory. VI-DOH will collect 2000 complete surveys each year, with a minimum of 700 in each of two island districts, to enable geographic stratification by island district health system. VI-DOH and its partners will use the results of the BRFSS to address behaviors that reduce the risk of chronic disease for our residents.
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).