Jan 1, 2011
The survey being discussed is the Minnesota Behavioral Risk Factor Survey. You can find in-depth information about it at www.cdc.gov/brfss.
Participants are randomly identified through a list of telephone numbers, not any type of Census. The survey callers DO NOT know anyones names or even who lives in the household. They do ask for certain gender and age demographics to help ensure better representation of all segments of the population as part of the survey. NO names are collected as part of the survey so you cannot be identified...in other words your responses are anonymous and cannot be tied back to you.
The purpose of the survey is to better understand the health and health behaviors of Minnesotans so that all organizations trying to improve health in our state, from government to your providers, know if they are making progress or where there might be areas to focus efforts...such as obesity, diabetes, heart disease, cancer, the flu, etc.
Some questions that are asked such as cell phone use are also used to make sure certain segments of the population are not missed and to better understand how they differ from each other.
The information provided by you, as individuals is very important to making your and others lives healthier in this state...it may seem like big brother BUT nobody is really collecting information about your specific identity...just the kinds of health issues someone of your age, gender, etc are having to deal with.