Health Data

Every other year since 1999, Boston Public Health Commission conducts phone and online interviews to evaluate the health of Boston’s residents ages 18+. This survey is called the Boston Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). The survey asks a random sample of Boston residents to participate. Participation is voluntary and anonymous. 

The survey asks residents about a range of health topics like chronic disease, access to care, and behaviors the impact health. The survey also asks about other factors that impact health like income, housing, education, and racism.

Why did they ask me to speak with a different adult in my home when I answered the phone and was willing to do the survey? 

• The survey selects phone numbers and mailing addresses at random. It also selects an adult from that household at random. This is so the sample is the best representation of all Boston residents.

How is this anonymous if you have my phone number or address? 

• Collected survey data are handled by a survey research company that has measures for securing data. It is never our goal to identify an individual. Data are analyzed at the group level to determine the needs and health status of Boston residents.

What is the collected information used for?

• Collected survey data are used in several ways. The data help to monitor the health of Boston residents over time and provide health status reporting for the annual Health of Boston report and Community Health Needs Assessment. Data are also used to show health needs when requesting grant funding for new programs.

What is the origin of this survey?

• The Boston Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is based on the Center for Disease Control’s BRFSS project. That project is conducted annually in every state in the U.S. Over 400,000 adults participate in the BRFSS annually, making it the world’s largest health survey.

The Center for Public Health Science and Innovation was established in June 2022 to meet the increased need for research, surveillance, and analysis of big data experienced during the Covid-19 pandemic. The Center, which is an expansion of BPHCs’ Research and Evaluation Office, includes three divisions: Epidemiology, Evaluation, Population Health and Research (PHAR), and works closely with the Informatics team and other functions within Information and Technology Services. The Center is committed to identifying, accessing, and utilizing up-to-date and comprehensive data along with state-of-the-art methodology, digital assets and tools, and employs several methodological approaches grounded in biostatistics, computational biology, economics, epidemiology, evaluation, and informatics, all with an antiracist, health equity lens. 

These resources and processes allow the Center to deliver timely, accurate, and community-responsive public health information and resources to local, state, and federal stakeholders via direct engagement, response to inquiries, the development and dissemination of practice guidance, reporting on public health data, trends, and high priority health topics, and the production of peer-reviewed literature. The Center’s products and tools enable evidence-based decision-making and the implementation of effective services and interventions, while continually evaluating the quality and impact of processes and products for improved public health and racial equity outcomes.