The next time the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS)
calls to ask you a few survey questions, pick up the phone! Join the thousands of people
answering questions to help make Nebraska a healthier place to live.
402-471-1671
If you’ve ever received a phone call from this number, 402-471-1671, or this
number shows up on your caller ID, it’s DHHS, and we’re calling to ask you a few
questions. Behavioral Risk Factor Survey (BRFS)
One of the most popular surveys DHHS uses to collect and analyze data is the
Behavioral Risk Factor survey (BRFS). That survey has about 130 questions relating to
people’s health habits and medical histories. Often we call on behalf of the federal
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). And we share all the survey results with
them. |
- For sample BRFS questions, go to the CDC
BRFS web site.
Interested in becoming a survey operator? We’re always looking for
people with good phone skills. Apply through the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). Use Position
Title: phone interviewer; Position Number: 91654.
|
The Behavioral Risk Factor Survey is one of
the oldest and largest phone surveys. Beginning in 1986 and expanding since that time, the
survey is now conducted each year in all fifty states and four territories.
“The information we gather from those surveys helps us identify trends and target our
health education efforts so people can make healthier choices,” said Dr. Joann
Schaefer, Chief Medical Officer.
Risk factors are actions that make it likely that people will suffer injury or illness.
“The information we get from the surveys identifies habits,” Schaefer said.
“With that information, we will know what we need to do to improve.”
Many of the questions on the BRFS are very personal. For example, operators will ask
questions about your mental health, eating and exercise habits, and exposure to domestic
violence. The questions are legitimate, and your honest answers are important.
Operators never ask for personal financial information like Social Security numbers or
bank account numbers.
Because of the nature of the questions, the information from all of the interviews is
confidential. The survey is conducted according to strict CDC protocol. The phone numbers
are randomly generated, and the phone system has computerized, automated dialing so
information can not be traced back to any caller.
Demographics continue to change in Nebraska and around the country, so, to keep up with
trends, DHHS may use different surveys, add questions to existing ones or target specific
populations. For example, there’s a BRFS survey being conducted across Nebraska for
each of the local health departments. There are also bilingual operators available to
gather information from survey participants who only speak Spanish.
A person’s chances of being called are increasing because DHHS is doing more and more
surveys. DHHS conducts approximately 15,000 BRF surveys and 30,000 additional surveys in a
year. Operators call in the evenings and on weekends, as well as during the day. Since
phone numbers are randomly chosen, a person could be called up to four times a year (once
a quarter) and asked to participate in a survey.
In the future, operators will call people on their cell phones in order to reach
Nebraskans who only use mobile phones.
“Bottom line? These surveys provide important information so we can improve our
health and lower our health care costs,” said Dr. Schaefer. “So, please, if DHHS
calls and asks you to take a survey, say ‘yes.’ It’s a small 15 minutes of
time that can really make a big difference in the lives of Nebraskans.”
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