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DOH Asks Public to Take Part in Telephone Survey to Assess Health Issues in USVI

Health Commissioner Designee Dr. Michelle S. Davis informs the public that the V.I. Department of Health has begun a survey to better understand the magnitude of chronic disease issues in the territory. The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) is the nation’s premier system of health-related telephone surveys that collects state data about residents of the United State regarding their health-related risk behaviors, chronic health conditions and use of preventive services, according to a press release issued on Monday by the Virgin Islands Department of Health.
Established in 1984 with 15 states, BRFSS now collects data in all 50 states as well as the District of Columbia and six U.S. territories, including the U.S. Virgin Islands. BRFSS completes more than 400,000 adult interviews each year, making it the largest continuously conducted health survey system in the world.
“We are working with the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); this survey gathers information about the health related lifestyle choices of Virgin Islands adults. With this knowledge, we can better plan and evaluate health promotion programs to prevent chronic disease and premature death. Each year, results are analyzed to improve our understanding of health habits and measure progress towards health objectives at the national, state and territorial level,” said Davis.
“The lifestyle choices we make on a daily basis play a vital role in shaping our health status and lifespan. While heredity and environment play a part, the leading causes of death in the U.S.V.I. (heart disease and cancer) are closely related to behaviors and lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise, and tobacco and alcohol use, as well as preventive health practices. Changes in lifestyle can prevent some chronic diseases as well as premature deaths.
People are asked to please participate in these telephone survey calls and answer a few short questions. Web site: www.healthvi.org
 

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