Executive Summary

2009 Mississippi Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

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

Health status

  • 22% report that their general health is fair or poor
  • 47% report that their general health is very good or excellent

Healthy days

  • 15% report seven or more days of poor physical health during the past month
  • 17% report seven or more days of poor mental health during the past month

Health care coverage

  • 20% report that they have no kind of health care coverage
  • 20% report that they could not see a doctor in the past twelve months because of cost

Cigarette smoking

  • 23% report that they are current cigarette smokers

Diabetes

  • 12% report that they have been diagnosed with diabetes

Hypertension awareness

  • 38% report that they have been told they have high blood pressure by a health care professional
  • 84% report they are taking medication for high blood pressure

Cholesterol awareness

  • 78% report that they have ever had their cholesterol checked
  • 75% report that they have had their cholesterol checked within the past five years

Immunization

  • 38% report that they have had a flu vaccination in the past twelve months
  • 28% report that they have ever had a pneumonia vaccination

Body weight and weight control

  • 70% report that they are overweight (BMI ≥25)
  • 35% report that they are obese (BMI ≥30)
  • 30% report that they have a healthy weight

Physical activity and exercise

  • 27% report that they meet moderate physical activity recommendations
  • 20% report that they meet vigorous physical activity recommendations
  • 32 % report that they had no exercise in the past 30 days

Asthma

  • 12% report that they have ever had asthma
  • 8% report that they currently have asthma

Disability

  • 24% report that their activities are limited because of health problems
  • 10% report that they have health problems that require the use of special equipment

HIV/AIDS (Age 18-64)

  • 45% report that they have been tested for HIV other than through a blood donation
  • 4% report that they have participated in high risk behavior during the past twelve months

Alcohol Consumption

  • 10% report that they are at risk from binge drinking
  • 3% report that they are at risk from chronic drinking

Eats fruits and vegetables at least five times per day

  • 17% report that they eat fruits and vegetables at least five times per day

Arthritis

  • 31% report that they have been diagnosed with arthritis

Emotional Support and Life Satisfaction

  • 10% report that they rarely or never get the emotional support they need
  • 7% report that they are dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with their lives

Insufficient Sleep

  • 43% report that they had insufficient sleep during the past 14 days.

Cardiovascular Disease

  • 5 % report they had been told that they have had a myocardial infarction

·        4% report they had been told that they have coronary artery disease

·        4% report they had been told that they have had a stroke