HOLLERAN Community Health Research & Strategic Planning Burlington County Department of Health

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1 HOLLERAN Community Health Research & Strategic Planning Burlington County Department of Health Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Study September 8, 2006

2 BACKGROUND & METHODOLOGY The Burlington County Department of Health, located in Westampton, New Jersey, requested that Holleran conduct a Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) study among its adult community using the CDC BRFSS tool. The BRFSS is a national initiative, headed by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) that assesses the health status and risk factors among U.S. citizens. The Burlington County Department of Health, in coordination with representatives from Holleran, personalized the BRFSS tool to assess the needs of Burlington County. The tool was developed by selecting various core sections and modules from the BRFSS tool and adding individualized questions specific to the Burlington County area. Depending upon respondents answers to questions regarding cardiovascular disease, smoking, sun exposure, etc., interviews were 18 to 25 minutes in length. A sampling strategy was developed by Holleran and approved by the Burlington County Department of Health. The sampling strategy identified the number of completed surveys needed within each municipality across the county. The strategy deliberately over-sampled from four municipalities/municipality regions. The final sample (2,056) yields an overall error rate of +/-2.2% at a 95% confidence level. Data collection took place between April 10 and June 30, The calculated response rate for the study is 25.9%. Holleran is a member of the Council of American Survey Research Organizations (CASRO) and follows the guidelines for survey research quality established by the organization. Likewise, Holleran calculates response rates according to the definition established by CASRO as outlined in the document, On the Definition of Response Rates. The response rate is equal to the number of completed interviews divided by the number of eligible respondents. The number of eligible respondents is the total number of potential respondents minus wrong numbers, disconnects, ineligible respondents, and an estimate of disqualified respondents among those on the list who were not contacted. For a more detailed description of the determination of 2

3 response rates, refer to the CASRO article On the Definition of Response Rates. RESEARCH OBJECTIVES The research objectives of the assessment were as follows: 1. To gather statistically valid information on the health status of Burlington County residents. 2. To gather statistically valid information on the health status of preselected municipalities within Burlington County. 3. To accurately represent all populations within Burlington County. 4. To develop accurate comparisons to the state and national baseline of health and quality of life measures to provide trending information for the future. 5. To interpret the meaning of the data collected so that needs are accurately depicted for Burlington County residents. 6. To conduct research in a fully confidential manner consistent with the Code of Standards and Ethics promulgated by the Council of American Survey Research Organizations (CASRO). 3

4 SUMMARY OF FINDINGS Areas of Strength The following areas are areas where Burlington County residents fare better, or healthier, than the state of New Jersey and/or the Nation as a whole. Mental health in previous 30 days: When asked about the number of days where their mental health was not good, more Burlington County residents reported no days compared to throughout New Jersey and the nation. Health care coverage: Burlington County residents are more likely than residents throughout New Jersey and the rest of the nation to have some kind of health care coverage. Personal doctor or health care provider: When asked if they have one person they think of as their personal doctor or health care provider, Burlington County residents were more likely than residents throughout New Jersey and the nation to have one or more persons that they think of in this regard. Cost interfering with seeing doctor: Fewer Burlington County residents indicated they were unable to see a doctor in the previous year because of cost compared to the New Jersey and national statistics. Exercise in previous month: While they are more likely to be obese, Burlington County residents are more likely than residents throughout New Jersey to have exercised in the previous month. Burlington County is not significantly different from the national statistics in this regard. Quitting smoking: Compared to the national statistics, Burlington County has a larger number of residents who used to smoke and quit compared to the rest of the nation. Additionally, current smokers in 4

5 Burlington County are more likely to have attempted to quit smoking compared to attempts to quit by smokers throughout New Jersey and the nation. Rules regarding smoking at home: Burlington County residents are less likely than residents throughout the state and nation to allow smoking inside of the home. Drinking in moderation: When asked the number of alcoholic drinks consumed on average, Burlington County residents are more likely to report a fewer number of drinks compared to the rest of the nation. Burlington County does not significantly differ from the New Jersey statistics. Dental visits in previous year: Burlington County residents are more likely to have been to the dentist in the previous year compared to adults across the nation. Flu shots in previous year: When asked about receiving a flu shot in the previous year, Burlington County residents are more likely to have had a flu shot in the previous year compared to the rest of the nation and throughout New Jersey. Pneumonia shot: When asked about ever having received a pneumonia shot, Burlington County residents are more likely to have had a pneumonia shot compared to the rest of the nation and throughout New Jersey. Mammograms: Females within Burlington County are more likely to have had a mammogram compared to females throughout New Jersey and the nation. Blood stool tests: Respondents age 50 and over were asked about colorectal cancer screenings. Burlington County residents within this age group are more likely to have had a blood stool test using a home kit compared to adults throughout New Jersey and the nation. 5

6 Sigmoidoscopy & Colonoscopy: Compared to the state of New Jersey as a whole, Burlington County residents 50 and over are more likely to have had a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy. Burlington County does not significantly differ from the national statistics. HIV testing: More residents living in Burlington County than in New Jersey and the U.S. as a whole have ever been tested for HIV. Areas of Opportunity The following areas are areas where Burlington County residents fare worse, or less healthy, than the state of New Jersey and/or the Nation as a whole. Body Mass Index: Burlington County residents are more likely than residents throughout New Jersey and the rest of the nation to be obese, according to their Body Mass Index statistics. High blood pressure: Burlington County residents are more likely to have high blood pressure compared to the rest of New Jersey and the nation as a whole. Rules regarding smoking at work: While homes within Burlington County are more likely to have stringent non-smoking rules, workplaces within Burlington County are more likely to have no official policy compared to workplaces throughout New Jersey and the nation. Asthma rates: Compared to the New Jersey statistics, Burlington County residents are more likely to have been told by a health professional that they had asthma. However, many indicated they no longer have asthma. Diabetes: The Burlington County rates for diabetes are above the state and national figures. 6

7 Digital rectal exams: Males 40 and over are less likely in Burlington County to have had a digital rectal exam compared to men of the same age throughout the country. Prostate cancer: Males 40 and over throughout Burlington County are more likely to have had a diagnosis of prostate cancer compared to nationally. 7