The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is the world’s largest ongoing public health surveillance program, developed and partially funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Currently, the BRFSS is conducted annually in all 50 states and several US territories. Hawaii has participated in the BRFSS continuously since 1986.

Originally designed to provide states with estimates of chronic disease, injury, health conditions, and health-related behaviors associated with the major causes of death and disability of adults, the BRFSS has expanded to include other topics such as healthcare access, use of preventive health services, emerging health issues and health equity.

The Hawaii-BRFSS survey is comprised of landline and cellphone telephone interviews of adults collected continuously through all twelve months of the year. The number of completed telephone interviews from 1986 has grown from about 500 to currently over 6,500. Results from this survey are used to measure public health objectives to improve programs that lead to better health outcomes for the people and communities of Hawaii. SMS Research & Marketing Services, Inc. is currently contracted with the Hawaii State Department of Health (DOH) to collect data via landline and cell phone interviews for the state’s BRFSS.

More information about BRFSS methodology and survey protocols is available on the CDC BRFSS website.

If you receive a call from 808-537-3356, please consider participating in the survey.

We gratefully acknowledge and thank the residents of Hawaii, who have graciously participated in this survey.