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Unhealthy Lifestyle Behaviors Among Minority Group Members: A National Rural and Urban Study
Most major chronic diseases share common risk factors, including modifiable lifestyle behaviors. Because rural minority group members suffer from a disproportionately high rate of morbidity and mortality from chronic conditions, a comprehensive assessment of lifestyle behaviors may inform interventions to improve health. The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) collects data annually from all 50 states on health-related behaviors. This study is using BRFSS data to explore the prevalence and trends of six unhealthy lifestyle behaviors: current smoking, excessive drinking, driving after drinking too much, eating fewer than five fruits and vegetables daily, engaging in 30 minutes of physical activity fewer than five times per week, and having an unhealthy weight. This study will provide needed information about the prevalence of unhealthy behaviors among minority group members in rural America and will help federal policymakers tailor health promotion programs to the risk groups and the geographic areas of greatest need.
Publications
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Heavy And Binge Drinking In Rural America: A Comparison Of Rural And Urban Counties From 1995/1997 Through 1999/2001
Author(s): J. Elizabeth Jackson, Mark P. Doescher, L. Gary Hart
Report Number: Working Paper No. 95
Date: 02 / 2005
Assesses the prevalence of, and recent trends in, alcohol use among adults 18 years and older in rural areas of the United States. It uses a random digit telephone survey method to gather information on alcohol use among adults in 49 states and the District of Columbia that participated in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. The paper finds that heavy drinking was highest and increasing in urban areas, but that binge drinking was greater in rural areas. It recommends tailoring interventions specifically to meet the needs of rural residents. Report available upon request by contacting rhrc@fammed.washington.edu.
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National Study of Obesity Prevalence and Trends by Type of Rural County
Author(s): J. Elizabeth Jackson, Mark P. Doescher, Anthony F. Jerant, L. Gary Hart
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 21(2), 140-148
Date: 2005
To estimate the prevalence of and recent trends in obesity among US adults residing in rural locations, the authors analyzed data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System for 1994-1996 and 2000-2001and found that in 2000-2001 the prevalence of obesity was 23.0% for rural adults and 20.5% for their urban counterparts, representing increases of 4.8% and 5.5%, respectively, since 1994-1996. The highest obesity prevalence occurred in rural counties in Louisiana, Mississippi, and Texas; obesity prevalence increased for rural residents in all states but Florida over the study period. African Americans had the highest obesity prevalence of any group, up to 31.4% in rural counties adjacent to urban counties.
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Obesity Prevalence In Rural Counties: A National Study
Author(s): J. Elizabeth Jackson, Mark P. Doescher, Anthony F. Jerant, L. Gary Hart
Report Number: Working Paper No. 87
Date: 01 / 2004
Using a random-digit telephone survey of adults aged 18 and older residing in states participating in the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System in 1994-96 and 2000-2001, researchers found that the prevalence of obesity was 23 percent for rural adults and 20.5 percent for urban adults. This finding represents increases of 4.8 percent and 5.5 percent, respectively. The highest obesity prevalence occurred in rural counties of Mississippi, Texas, and Louisiana. Only Rhode Island and Colorado had rural counties that met the Healthy People 2010 goal of a maximum of 15 percent obese for adults. Report available on request.
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Prevalence And Trends In Smoking: A National Rural Study
Author(s): Mark P. Doescher, J. Elizabeth Jackson, Anthony F. Jerant, L. Gary Hart
Report Number: Working Paper No. 85
Date: 12 / 2003
Using data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, the research showed that the prevalence of smoking between 1994-1996 and 2000-2001 did not change substantially for the United States as a whole. The prevalence of smoking for rural residents decreased by more than 2 percent in six states (CA, CT, MD, NC, TN, UT). However, it increased by 2 percent or more in ten states. Report available on request.
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Prevalence and Trends in Smoking: A National Rural Study
Author(s): Mark P. Doescher, J. Elizabeth Jackson, Anthony Jerant, L. Gary Hart
Citation: Journal of Rural Health, 22(2), 112-118
Date: 2006
Reports the results of a study to estimate the prevalence of and recent trends in smoking among adults by type of rural location and by state.
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