Executive Summary

2005 Mississippi Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

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

Health status

• 24% report that their general health is fair or poor
• 48% report that their general health is very good or excellent

Healthy days

• 16% report seven or more days of poor physical health during the past month
• 16% report seven or more days of poor mental health during the past month

Health care coverage

• 8% report that they have no kind of health care coverage
• 18% report that they could not see a doctor in the past twelve months because of cost

Cigarette smoking

• 24% report that they are current cigarette smokers (have ever smoked 100 cigarettes and now smoke every day or some days)

Diabetes

• 10% report that they have been diagnosed with diabetes

Hypertension awareness

• 33% report that they have been told they have high blood pressure by a health care professional
• 81% who report they are taking medication for high blood pressure

Cholesterol awareness

• 72% report that they have ever had their cholesterol checked
• 67% report that they have had their cholesterol checked within the past five years

Immunization

• 29% report that they have had a flu vaccination in the past twelve months

Body weight and weight control

• 65% report that they are overweight ( BMI ≥25)
• 32% report that they have a healthy weight

Mammography screening

• 78% of women age 40 and older have had a screening mammogram and a clinical breast examination during their lifetime
• 30% of women age 50 and older have had a screening mammogram and a clinical breast  examination within the past two years

Pap smear screening

• 96% of women age 18 and older have had a Pap smear during their lifetime
• 83% of women age 18 and older have had a Pap smear within the past three years

Physical activity and exercise

• 65% report that they do not meet moderate physical activity recommendations
• 32 % report that they had no exercise in the past 30 days

Dental Health

• 39% report that it has been more than one year since they have seen a dentist
• 55% report that they have had at least one of their permanent teeth extracted

Asthma

• 11% report that they have ever had asthma

Disability

• 22% report that their activities are limited because of health problems
• 8% report that they have health problems that require the use of special equipment

HIV/AIDS

• 40% report that they have been tested for HIV other than through a blood donation
• 5% 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

Eats fruits and vegetables at least five times per day

• 18% report that they eat fruits and vegetables at least five times per day

Osteoporosis

• 5% report that they have been diagnosed with osteoporosis

Arthritis

• 31% report that they have been diagnosed with arthritis

Emotional Support and Life Satisfaction

• 8% report that they rarely or never get the emotional support they need
• 6% report that they are dissatisfied or very dissatisfied with their lives

Cardiovascular Disease