Executive Summary
2002 Mississippi Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

Note: All percentages are rounded to the nearest whole number.

Health status

• 23% report that their general health is either fair or poor
• 47% report that their general health is either very good or excellent
  

Health care access

• 23% report that they have no kind of health care coverage

Cigarette smoking

• 27% report that they are current cigarette smokers

Diabetes

• 9% report that they have been diagnosed with diabetes

Folic acid

• 36% of females age 18 to 44 report knowing that taking folic acid prevents birth defects
• 33% of females age 18 to 44 report that they take multivitamins

Eats fruits and vegetables at least five times per day

• 19% report that they eat fruits and vegetables at least five times per day

Immunization

• 30% report that they have had a flu shot in the past twelve months

Body weight and weight control

• 61% report that they are overweight (BMI >=25)
• 26% report that they are obese (BMI >=30)

Mammography screening

• 77% of women age 40 and older report that they have had a screening mammogram and a clinical breast examination during their lifetime
• 60% of women age 50 and older report that they have had a screening mammogram and a clinical breast examination within the past two years

Pap smear screening

• 95% of all female respondents report that they have ever had a Pap smear
• 83% of all female respondents report that they have had a Pap smear within the past three years

Physical activity and exercise

• 36 % report that they have had no exercise in the past 30 days

Colorectal Cancer Screening

• 41% of respondents age 50 and older report that they have ever had a proctosigmoidoscopy
• 23% of respondents age 50 and older report that they have had a blood stool test in the past two years

Arthritis

• 49% report that they are a risk for arthritis
• 28% report that they have been diagnosed with arthritis

Asthma

• 11% report that they have ever had asthma
• 6% report that they presently have asthma

Prostate Cancer Screening

• 61% of males age 40 and older report that they have ever had a prostate specific antigen (PSA) test
• 52% of males age 40 and older report that they have had a PSA test within the past two years

Oral Health

• 40% reported report that they have had no permanent teeth extracted
• 39% reported that they have not had a dental visit within the past year

Alcohol Consumption

• 12% report that they are at risk from binge drinking

Seat Belt Usage

• 27% report that they never use seat belts
• 14% report that they sometimes, seldom or never use seat belts

HIV/AIDS

• 40% report that they have never been tested for HIV
• 3% report that they have participated in high risk behavior during the past twelve month