RIDOH Health Surveys
The mission of the RIDOH Health Surveys unit is to better understand the health needs of people in Rhode Island. We collect and analyze data to learn about health needs across the state and share these data to inform public health programs and policies. All data collected and shared from the RIDOH Health Surveys unit are anonymous and are not tied to individuals in any way.
The Health Surveys unit manages three separate surveys: the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), the Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS), and the Youth Risk Behavioral Survey (YRBS).
The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS)
The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is a year-round, self-reported telephone survey of adults. The BRFSS assesses health behaviors such as physical activity and smoking, health conditions, and how Rhode Islanders use preventive services related to health, such as receiving a flu shot or getting screened for cancer.
Questions?
Email or call 401-222-5115, Karine Monteiro, BRFSS Survey Coordinator
More Information about the BRFSS
The Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS)
The Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) is an ongoing survey of Rhode Islanders who have recently given birth. PRAMS asks questions about a mother's experiences before, during, and shortly after her pregnancy. New mothers who are chosen to participate are selected randomly from the state’s birth certificate registry. Every new mother who completes the PRAMS survey helps to improve the health and well-being of Rhode Island women and babies. The survey can be completed in about 30-45 minutes. Data from the completed surveys are private – no parent or infant can be identified from reports created using RI PRAMS data.
Questions?
Email or call 401-222-5120, Cheyenne Seymour, PRAMS Coordinator
The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS)
The Youth Risk Behavior Survey (YRBS) monitors health behaviors that contribute to the leading causes of death, disability, and social problems among youth and adults in the United States. Health topics assessed include mental health; interpersonal conflict; tobacco, alcohol, or drug use: and sexual activity. The survey is conducted every other year among middle school and high school students and allows the Health Surveys unit to measure the prevalence of health behaviors, examine trends over time, and compare the experiences of different groups of youth.
Questions?
Email or call 401-222-5115, Karine Monteiro, YRBS Survey Coordinator
More Information about the YRBS
The Rhode Island Department of Health (RIDOH) conducts several mail and telephone-based surveys throughout the year to track important health trends, evaluate public education campaigns, and monitor public health programs in Rhode Island. Your participation is important to our efforts to collect quality data and provide the public with health-related information. We value your time, participation, and feedback regarding our efforts to prevent disease and to protect and promote the health and safety of Rhode Islanders.
We work hard to keep you and all Rhode Islanders safe and healthy. To do this, we ask about the health and health habits and behaviors of Rhode Islanders. Since we can't talk to everyone, we select a few people to contact. If you received a call or mailing, you were selected to participate in a survey. Your answers help us understand if public health programs are working, and if there are health issues we should address.
Taking part in the survey is voluntary. When you participate, you help make sure the results represent the people of Rhode Island. Because of the small number of respondents picked, your answers are very important.
We know some people may be hesitant to answer questions from strangers or may have concerns about providing health information in a survey. While we may ask personal health-related questions and demographic questions about your gender or age, we will never ask for your social security number, credit card information, or other personal financial records.
RIDOH surveys always include information about the survey and where you can find more information. You’ll also know which State employee is running the survey. If you are unsure if the call you received is from the Rhode Island Department of Health, or if you have questions, please call the RIDOH Information Line at 401-222-5960.