The New Jersey Behavioral Risk Factor Survey (NJBRFS) is a telephone survey that is partially funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) as a component of the national Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). The BRFSS monitors major behavioral risk factors and chronic conditions associated with disability and death among adults. In accordance with BRFSS protocol, only adults aged 18 and over who live at home (i.e., not in dormitories, jails, hospitals, nursing homes, etc.) can participate in the survey. (Note that the New Jersey Department of Education maintains a Student Health Survey of health risks and related behaviors among youth in New Jersey.)

The NJBRFS has been in operation since 1991. In 1991 through 1995, approximately 125 interviews were completed per month. The monthly sample size approximately doubled in 1996 and again in 2001, reached nearly 1,000 in 2003 and in subsequent years.

BRFSS results are used to monitor selected public health objectives related to disease prevention and healthy behaviors as outlined in the federal Healthy People initiative. The NJBRFS is used similarly to monitor Healthy New Jersey objectives.

The generic BRFSS questionnaire is designed by a working group of state BRFSS coordinators and CDC staff. It has two main parts: 1) a required core component, consisting of fixed core, rotating core, and emerging core questions, and 2) a set of optional modules. The fixed core is a standard set of questions asked yearly by all participating states and territories. The rotating core is made up of two distinct sets of questions required in alternating years. The emerging core questions typically focus on issues of a "late breaking" nature and are part of the core component for at least one year.

The questionnaire used in the NJBRFS is customized on an annual basis by supplementing required and optional modules from the BRFSS questionnaire with a set of state-designed questions approved by CDC.

Copies of past and present NJBRFS questionnaires (land line versions only) can be found below:

Prevalence Estimates and Trend Statistics for selected risk factors in each state are available for 1995 and later years from the CDC. Prevalence estimates can be stratified by age, sex, race/ethnicity, income, and education.

SMART: BRFSS City and County Data
Selected Metropolitan/Micropolitan Area Risk Trends for metropolitan and micropolitan statistical areas (MMSAs) with 500 or more respondents.

BRFSS Data and Documentation
Aggregated BRFSS data files for all participating states and territories and supporting technical documentation.

NJ State Health Assessment Data Indicator Reports

Beginning in July 2001, New Jersey Behavioral Risk Factor Survey reports have been incorporated into the Topics in Health Statistics series.

For more information about the New Jersey Behavioral Risk Factor Survey or the BRFSS contact:
BRFSS Coordinator
Center for Health Statistics, Room 405
New Jersey Department of Health
PO Box 360
Trenton, NJ 08625-0360
Telephone: 609-984-6702
Fax: 609-984-7633
e-mail