• 
• 
• State of Alaska
• Health & Social Services
• Public Notices
• myAlaska

Health & Social Services Search 

Programs

• Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion Home
• Cancer Prevention and Control
• Cancer Registry
• Comprehensive Cancer Control
• Diabetes Prevention and Control
• Health Promotion
• Health Survey Lab
• BRFSS
• Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention
• Obesity Prevention and Control
• School Health
• Youth Risk Behaviors
• Tobacco Prevention and Control

Resources

• Arthritis Resources
• Center for Health Data and Statistics
• Publications
• Fruits and Veggies:
  More Matters!
• Alaska Health Education Library Project (AHELP)
• Healthy Alaskans 2010
• Take Heart Alaska
• Living Well
• Worksite Health and Productivity Promotion
• Site Map (Org Chart)
• Contact Information

Survey Information

• Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
• Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS)
• Alaska Modified BRFSS Survey

Health Survey Lab

The Survey Lab works to gather accurate, reliable, confidential health information on Alaskan adults.  Using a computer aided telephone system; trained interviewers follow a standardized questionnaire which asks adults questions about lifestyle habits which may shape their health. Some habits include diet, exercise, and smoking.  If you are called by the survey lab and do not wish to take the survey or do not wish to answer a particular question, you do not have to.

The Alaska Department of Health and Social Services currently carries out two surveys through the Survey Lab, the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) as well as a modified version of the BRFSS. The BRFSS was first conducted in Alaska in 1990 in cooperation with the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The BRFSS is now implemented in all 50 states and some territories as part of a continuing data collection system.  This information is used to measure progress towards state (Healthy Alaskans 2010) and national (Healthy People 2010) health goals.  The modified BRFSS is very similar to the BRFSS in that it measures lifestyle and behavioral factors; however it was also designed to also collect detailed information on tobacco use, knowledge and attitudes.

The Survey Lab uses a random dialing system to collect health data on a sample of Alaskan adults. The Lab conducts around 5,000 interviews per year from two surveys, the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS) and the Modified BRFSS. After data is collected and analyzed, it is provided to health professionals, researchers and organizations. This information is used to improve programs and policies for chronic diseases like cancer, diabetes and heart disease in Alaska.

• January 15th press release

Health Risk Statistics in Alaska from the 2007 BRFSS:

• 37% of Alaskans are overweight and another 28% are obese.
• 19% of the population reported binge drinking in the last 30 days.
• 22% of Alaskans currently smoke
• 20% of Alaskans report no leisure time physical activity
• 64% of Alaskan residents 65+ report receiving an influenza vaccination in the past 12 months.
• 66% of 65+ year olds reported ever having a pneumonia vaccination.
• 14% report ever being told by a doctor that they have asthma, and 8% of Alaskan adults report still having asthma.
• 14% of respondents in 2007 reported not being able to see a doctor because of the cost.
• 85% of Alaskans reported having some type of health care coverage.

For additional information, please contact:

Andrea Fenaughty, Ph. D.
Health Survey Lab
Division of Public Health
Department of Health and Social Services
P.O. Box 110614
Juneau, Alaska 99811-0614
(907) 269-8025
1 (877) 655-2793
surveylab@alaska.gov