Executive Summary
1998 Mississippi Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

Note: only responses to questions on general health, health risk behaviors for chronic disease (including health care access), and screening behaviors are given here

Health status

• 21.0% report that general health is fair or poor
• 13.5% report that physical health was not good for more than 7 days during the past 30 days
• 11.6% report that mental health was not good for more than 7 days during the past 30 days
• 7.4% report that poor physical/mental health prevented usual activities for more than 7 days during the past 30 days

Cigarette smoking

• 23.9% report that they are current cigarette smokers (have ever smoked 100 cigarettes and now smoke every day or some days)
• 21.7% report that they are former cigarette smokers (have ever smoked 100 cigarettes but do not smoke now)
• 51.0% of current daily smokers report that they have quit smoking for 1 day or longer during the past 12 months

Cigar smoking

• 1.6% report that they are current cigar smokers (smoked a cigar everyday or several times per week within the past month )

Physical activity/exercise

• 33.8% report that they are physically inactive (HP 2000 Obj. 1.5)
• 61.1% report sedentary lifestyle (sedentary or irregular physical activity profile)
• 19.2% report frequent regular exercise (HP 2000 Obj. 1.3)
• 10.4% report regular intensive exercise (HP 2000 Obj. 1.4)
• 39.5% report that they are using physical activity/exercise to lose weight (or keep from gaining weight)

• 51.7% report that they are exercising more to lower their risk of developing heart disease or stroke
• 35.0% report that they have been advised by a doctor to exercise more to lower their risk of developing heart disease or stroke
• 65.2% of those so advised report that they are exercising more

Diet, body weight, and weight control

• 35.8% of respondents are overweight (BMI >= 27.7 for men, 27.3 for women)
• 21.1% of respondents are obese (BMI >= 30)
• 53.6% report that they are dieting to lose weight (or keep from gaining weight)
• 39.5% report that they are using physical activity/exercise to lose weight (or keep from gaining weight)
• 37.4% are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes (because of obesity/overweight and lack of physical activity/exercise)
• 62.8% report that they are eating fewer high fat/high cholesterol foods to lower their risk of developing heart disease or stroke
• 31.1% report that they have been advised by a doctor to eat fewer high fat/high cholesterol foods to lower their risk of developing heart disease or stroke
• 84.0% of those so advised report that they are eating fewer high fat/high cholesterol foods

Diabetes

• Prevalence of self-reported diabetes (told by a doctor): 7.6%
• 37.4% are at risk of developing type 2 diabetes (because of obesity/overweight and lack of physical activity/exercise)
• 70.4% of persons with self-reported diabetes have had two or more visits to a health care provider for their diabetes in the past year
• 43.6% of persons with self-reported diabetes have had at least four visits to a healthcare provider for their diabetes in the past year
• 21.6% of persons with self-reported diabetes have heard of HgbA1c
• 20.3% of persons with self-reported diabetes and who have heard of HgbA1c have had two or more HgbA1c checks by a health care provider in the past year
• 3.9% of persons with self-reported diabetes and who have heard of HgbA1c have had at least four HgbA1c checks by a health care provider in the past year
• 35.7% of persons with self-reported diabetes have had two or more foot exams by a health care provider in the past year
• 23.0% of persons with self-reported diabetes have had at least four foot exams by a health care provider in the past year
• 54.0% of persons with self-reported diabetes have had a dilated eye exam within the past year
• 66.7% of persons with self-reported diabetes have had a dilated eye exam within the past two years

Cardiovascular disease

• 4.7% report that they have been told by a doctor that they had a heart attack or myocardial infarction
• 4.0% report that they have been told by a doctor that they had angina or coronary heart disease
• 2.0% report that they have been told by a doctor that they had a stroke
• 31.1% report that they have been advised by a doctor to eat fewer high fat/high cholesterol foods to lower their risk of developing heart disease or stroke
• 84.0% of those so advised report that they are eating fewer high fat/high cholesterol foods
• 62.8% of all respondents report that they are eating fewer high fat/high cholesterol foods to lower their risk of developing heart disease or stroke
• 35.0% report that they have been advised by a doctor to exercise more to lower their risk of developing heart disease or stroke
• 65.2% of those so advised report that they are exercising more
• 51.7% of all respondents report that they are exercising more to lower their risk of developing heart disease or stroke
• 12.3% of all respondents are taking aspirin every day or every other day to reduce the chance of heart attack or stroke
• 45.0% of persons who have been told by a doctor that they had heart disease or stroke are taking aspirin every day or every other day to reduce the chance of heart attack or stroke
• 12.9% of peri- or post-menopausal women report that they are currently taking estrogen pills to prevent a heart attack

Fruit and vegetable consumption

• Percent reporting that they eat fruits/vegetables 5 or more times per day: 15.6%

Mammography screening

• 53.1% of women 50-59 years of age have had a screening mammogram within the past year
• 71.3% of women 50-59 years of age have had a screening mammogram within the past two years
• 47.6% of women 60-69 years of age have had a screening mammogram within the past year
• 68.2% of women 60-69 years of age have had a screening mammogram within the past two years

Pap smear screening

• 82.9% of women 18-65 years of age have had Pap smear screening within the past three years

Health care access

• 18.6% report that they have no kind of health care coverage
• 15.5% report that there was a time during the past 12 months that they needed to see a doctor but could not because of the cost