BRFSS Questionnaires
The BRFSS questionnaire is designed by a working group of BRFSS state coordinators and CDC staff. The questionnaire is approved by all state coordinators.
Currently, the questionnaire has three parts: 1) the core component, consisting of the fixed core, rotating core, and emerging core, 2) optional modules, and 3) state-added questions.
All health departments must ask the core component questions without modification in wording, however, the modules are optional.
The fixed core is a standard set of questions asked by all states that includes questions on demographic characteristics, plus queries on current health behaviors, such as tobacco use and seatbelt use. The rotating core is made up of two distinct sets of questions, each asked in alternating years by all states, addressing different topics. In the years that rotating core topics are not used, they are supported as optional modules. The emerging core is a set of up to five questions that are added to the fixed and rotating cores. Emerging core questions typically focus on “late breaking” issues. These questions are part of the core for one year and are evaluated during, or soon after the year concludes to determine their potential value in future surveys.
Please Select the Options Below
Questionnaires by Year (English)
- 2017 Survey Questions [PDF – 1,642 KB]
- 2016 Survey Questions [PDF – 518 KB]
- 2015 Survey Questions [PDF – 1,100 KB]
- 2014 Survey Questions [PDF – 323 KB]
- 2013 Survey Questions [PDF – 354 KB]
- 2012 Survey Questions [PDF – 328 KB]
- 2011 Survey Questions [PDF – 672 KB]
- 2010 Survey Questions [PDF – 378 KB]
- 2009 Survey Questions [PDF – 1 MB]
- 2008 Survey Questions [PDF – 383 KB]
- 2007 Survey Questions [PDF – 363 KB]
- 2006 Survey Questions [PDF – 391 KB]
- 2005 Survey Questions [PDF – 422 KB]
- 2004 Survey Questions [PDF – 389 KB]
- 2003 Survey Questions [PDF – 2 MB]
- 2002 Survey Questions [PDF – 198 KB]
- 2001 Servey Questions [PDF – 167 KB]
- 2000 Survey Questions [PDF – 167 KB]
- 1999 Survey Questions [PDF – 289 KB]
- 1998 Survey Questions [PDF – 307 KB]
- 1997 Survey Questions [PDF – 279 KB]
- 1996 Survey Questions [PDF – 217 KB]
- 1995 Survey Questions [PDF – 206 KB]
- 1994 Survey Questions [PDF – 156 KB]
- 1993 Survey Questions [PDF – 176 KB]
- 1992 Survey Questions [PDF – 163 KB]
- 1991 Survey Questions [PDF – 163 KB]
- 1990 Survey Questions [PDF – 501 KB]
- 1989 Survey Questions [PDF – 505 KB]
- 1988 Survey Questions [PDF – 941 KB]
- 1987 Survey Questions [PDF – 365 KB]
- 1986 Survey Questions [PDF – 201 KB]
- 1985 Survey Questions [PDF – 196 KB]
- 1984 Survey Questions [PDF – 228 KB]
Questionnaires by Year (Spanish)
- 2017 Survey Questions [PDF – 2 MB]
- 2016 Survey Questions [PDF – 505 KB]
- 2015 Survey Questions [PDF – 420 KB]
- 2014 Survey Questions [PDF – 330 KB]
- 2013 Survey Questions [PDF – 379 KB]
- 2012 Survey Questions [PDF – 378 KB]
- 2011 Survey Questions [PDF – 674 KB]
- 2010 Survey Questions [PDF – 1 MB]
- 2009 Survey Questions [PDF – 464 KB]
- 2008 Survey Questions [PDF – 406 KB]
- 2008 Survey Questions – Puerto Rican translation [PDF – 303 KB]
- 2007 Survey Questions [PDF – 370 KB]
- 2006 Survey Questions [PDF – 467 KB]
- 2005 Survey Questions [PDF – 492 KB]
- 2004 Survey Questions [PDF – 296 KB]
- 2003 Survey Questions [PDF – 330 KB]
- 2002 Survey Questions [PDF – 151 KB]
- 2001 Survey Questions [PDF – 180 KB]
- 2000 Survey Questions [PDF – 127 KB]
- 1999 Survey Questions [PDF – 301 KB]
- 1998 Survey Questions [PDF – 321 KB]
- 1997 Survey Questions – Optional Modules [PDF – 105 KB]
- 1997 Survey Questions [PDF – 79 KB]
Optional Data Module by States
Optional CDC modules are questions on specific topics (e.g., smokeless tobacco) that states elect to use on their questionnaires. Although the modules are optional, CDC standards require that if they are used, they must be used without modification. Module topics have included survey items on smokeless tobacco, oral health, cardiovascular disease, and firearms.
- 2016 Modules by State by Data Set & Weight
- 2015 Modules by State by Data Set & Weight
- 2014 Modules by State by Data Set & Weight
- 2013 State Module
- 2012 State Module
- 2011 State Module
- 2010 State Module
- 2009 State Module
- 2008 State Module
- 2007 State Module
- 2006 State Module
- 2005 State Module
- 2004 State Module
- 2003 State Module
- 2002 State Module
- 2001 State Module
- 2000 State Module
- 1999 State Module
- 1998 State Module
Optional Data Module by Category
Some general descriptive info about the types of information available for this topic.
- 2016 Modules Used by Category
- 2015 Modules Used by Category
- 2014 Modules Used by Category
- 2013 Modules Used by Category
- 2012 Modules Used by Category
- 2011 Modules Used by Category
- 2010 Modules Used by Category
- 2009 Modules Used by Category
- 2008 Modules Used by Category
- 2007 Modules Used by Category
- 2006 Modules Used by Category
- 2005 Modules Used by Category
- 2004 Modules Used by Category
- 2003 Modules Used by Category
- 2002 Modules Used by Category
- 2001 Modules Used by Category
- 2000 Modules Used by Category
- 1999 Modules Used by Category
- 1998 Modules Used by Category
Search the Historical Questions Database
Questions Archive
Suggested Citation Styles
Generally, data and materials produced by federal agencies are in the public domain and may be reproduced without permission.
Some materials are provided from existing publications. When this is the case, the publication should be cited if referenced.
When citing information from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System that is outside a specific publication, we suggest the following citation styles.
For BRFSS Survey Data
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey Data. Atlanta, Georgia: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, [appropriate data year or years].
For BRFSS Survey Questions
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey Questionnaire. Atlanta, Georgia: U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, [appropriate year or years].
Use of Keywords
When identifying keywords in your work, please include the following entries:
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- CDC
- Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
- BRFSS
- Page last reviewed: August 25, 2017
- Page last updated: August 25, 2017
- Content source: