Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance System (BRFSS): Impact on Population Health - CDC-RFA-DP-24-0023 PROJECT ABSTRACT SUMMARY While Indiana shares many of the same health concerns as the rest of the nation (as well as the similar common causes of mortality), the state routinely ranks near the bottom in our nation in terms of good health outcomes and near the top in terms of poor health outcomes. The purpose of the Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is to collect and analyze health behavior surveillance data from Indiana residents and provide data and other deliverables that summarize the results of our analyses. These data will be used to determine incidence of modifiable risk factors and health morbidities over time to provide state and local health departments and program areas within these departments the information necessary to assist in identifying public health needs, developing public policy related to resident health, and to evaluate and establish prevention programs. These efforts will serve to decrease morbidity and mortality associated with heart disease, cancer, chronic lower respiratory disease, stroke, diabetes, and kidney disease and other preventable health problems such as obesity, lack of exercise, cigarette smoking, and binge drinking. IDOH has a long, established history of successfully administering the BRFSS on behalf of the State of Indiana. Through this application, we will illustrate that we have the skills, organizational capacity, and structural systems in place to be successful in our management of this project. We will also detail our history of consistent engagement and collaborative efforts with internal partners and external stakeholders that are crucial to our efforts to increase BRFSS visibility and usage in our state. Additionally, we are committed to executing the strategies and activities listed in our application to achieve the required outcomes, including developing and expanding relationships with those representing underserved communities in Indiana and conducting outreach in these communities using a variety of marketing techniques. Additionally, we will demonstrate that receipt of the maximum amount of federal funding for this project (in conjunction with the in-kind financial backing we receive from the State of Indiana and from our internal program partners and external stakeholders) will support the vision we have created for our state to work toward health equity for all of our residents. This level of funding will afford us the opportunity to improve and sustain IDOH’s internal processes, policies, and procedures in order to reduce the incidence of avoidable health inequities and disparities in our state.
