Practical Issues in Exploring Industry and Occupation (I/O) in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)

Monday, June 15, 2015: 1:00 PM
Beacon E, Sheraton Hotel
Kathleen Grattan , Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, MA
Karla Armenti , New Hampshire Department of Health and Human Services, Concord, NH
Kathleen Fitzsimmons , Massachusetts Department of Public Health, Boston, MA
Naomi Anderson , Washington State Department of Labor and Industries, Olympia, WA
Antionette Lavender , Georgia Department of Public Health, Atlanta, GA
Meredith Towle , Wyoming Department of Workforce Services, Cheyenne, WY

Key Objectives:
See below.

Brief Summary:
A few states have had the opportunity to include questions about one's work in their annual BRFSS survey, a population-based health survey, over the last several years. The addition of I/O questions as well as other questions relating to work-related injury and illness have allowed Occupational Health Programs and their public health partners to start looking at the relationship between work factors and other indicators of health status, chronic disease, and health behaviors. Participants in this Roundtable will hear from state occupational health and safety epidemiologists who have experience summarizing and analyzing BRFSS I/O data about key practical and technical considerations in looking at these data. Questions such as  'how does a state go about getting these questions added?', 'how does one decide what industry or occupation groupings are most meaningful and useful in their state?', 'what are some ways to ensure quality reporting and coding of I/O data?' are just a few that will be answered. Speakers will also share recommendations for prudent practices and provide examples of analyses they've done. Participants will have the opportunity to ask questions of the speakers and BRFSS technical folks as part of the discussion.