2011–2020. BRFSS is a continuous, state-based surveillance system that collects information about modifiable risk factors for chronic diseases and other leading causes of death. Indicators from this data source have been computed by personnel in CDC's Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention (DHDSP). This was one of the datasets provided by the National Cardiovascular Disease Surveillance System and presented on DHDSP’s Data, Trends, and Maps online tool. This tool was retired in April of 2024 and this dataset will not be updated. Contact dhdsprequests@cdc.gov if you need assistance with data previously included in this dataset. The data are organized by location (national, regional, state, and selected sites) and indicator, and they include CVDs (e.g., heart failure) and risk factors (e.g., hypertension). The data can be plotted as trends and stratified by age group, sex, and race/ethnicity.

This data represents the age-adjusted prevalence of high total cholesterol, hypertension, and obesity among US adults aged 20 and over between 1999-2000 to 2017-2018.

Notes:

* All estimates are age adjusted by the direct method to the U.S. Census 2000 population using age groups 20–39, 40–59, and 60 and over.

Definitions

Hypertension: Systolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 130 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure greater than or equal to 80 mmHg, or currently taking medication to lower high blood pressure

High total cholesterol: Serum total cholesterol greater than or equal to 240 mg/dL.

Obesity: Body mass index (BMI, weight in kilograms divided by height in meters squared) greater than or equal to 30.

Data Source and Methods

Data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (NHANES) for the years 1999–2000, 2001–2002, 2003–2004, 2005–2006, 2007–2008, 2009–2010, 2011–2012, 2013–2014, 2015–2016, and 2017–2018 were used for these analyses.

NHANES is a cross-sectional survey designed to monitor the health and nutritional status of the civilian noninstitutionalized U.S. population. The survey consists of interviews conducted in participants’ homes and standardized physical examinations, including a blood draw, conducted in mobile examination centers.

2019–2020. The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) has monitored the health of the nation since 1957. NHIS data on a broad range of health topics are collected through personal household interviews. Indicators for this dataset has been computed by personnel in CDC's Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention (DHDSP). This was one of the datasets provided by the National Cardiovascular Disease Surveillance System and presented on DHDSP’s Data, Trends, and Maps online tool. This tool was retired in April of 2024 and this dataset will not be updated. Contact dhdsprequests@cdc.gov if you need assistance with data previously included in this dataset. The data are organized by location (region) and indicator, and they include CVDs (e.g., heart failure) and risk factors (e.g., hypertension). The data can be plotted as trends and stratified by age group, sex, and race/ethnicity.

1999–2000 to 2017–2018. The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) is a program of studies designed to assess the health and nutritional status of adults and children in the United States. The survey is unique in that it combines interviews and physical examinations. Indicators from this data source have been computed by personnel in CDC's Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention (DHDSP). This was one of the datasets provided by the National Cardiovascular Disease Surveillance System and presented on DHDSP’s Data, Trends, and Maps online tool. This tool was retired in April of 2024 and this dataset will not be updated. Contact dhdsprequests@cdc.gov if you need assistance with data previously included in this dataset. The data can be plotted as trends and stratified by age group, sex, and race/ethnicity.

2005-2016. This dataset includes data from the retired BRFSS Vision Module. From 2005-2011 the BRFSS employed a ten question vision module regarding vision impairment, access and utilization of eye care, and self-reported eye diseases. In 2013 and subsequently, one question in the core of BRFSS asks about vision: “Are you blind or do you have serious difficulty seeing, even when wearing glasses?” The latest data for this core question can be found in the Vision and Eye Health Surveillance System (VEHSS). VEHSS is intended to provide population estimates of vision loss function, eye diseases, health disparities, as well as barriers and facilitators to access to vision and eye care. This information can be used for designing, implementing, and evaluating vision and eye health prevention programs. To access the latest BRFSS data, (2013-2017) view the Behavioral Risk Factors – Vision and Eye Health Surveillance dataset (https://chronicdata.cdc.gov/Vision-Eye-Health/Behavioral-Risk-Factors-Vision-and-Eye-Health-Surv/vkwg-yswv).

Data on hypertension in adults age 20 and older in the United States, by selected characteristics. Data are from Health, United States. SOURCE: National Center for Health Statistics, National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
Search, visualize, and download these and other estimates from over 120 health topics with the NCHS Data Query System (DQS), available from: https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/dataquery/index.htm.