Did You Know, Colorado? June 18, 2014

• State-level 2013 BRFSS data are now available! BRFSS is the standard data source for state-level chronic disease prevalence estimates. 
• 2013 prevalence estimates: obesity (21.3%), overweight or obese (56.4%), current smoking (17.7%), high blood pressure (26.3%), high cholesterol (34.8%), diabetes (6.5%), and asthma (8.7%)
• None of these 2013 estimates represent statistically significant change from 2011-2012 estimates. However, longer-term trends for obesity, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes continue to show an increase in prevalence over time.* 
• CDC has not yet released national BRFSS data that would allow for state-by-state comparisons. 

BRFSS: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System 
CDC: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

*For high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and diabetes (and asthma), BRFSS survey respondents reported if their health care provider ever told them that they had these conditions. Therefore, part of any increase in prevalence estimates could represent increased awareness (i.e., more people with previously undiagnosed illness being tested and diagnosed by a health care provider).

For more information about chronic disease data in Colorado, contact Renee Calanan.