Nationally Representative Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Cognitive Decline and Caregiver Datasets, 2019-2022
Principal Investigator(s): View help for Principal Investigator(s) Julie Bynum, University of Michigan
Version: View help for Version V2
Version Title: View help for Version Title Update to Caregiver Dataset
| Name | File Type | Size | Last Modified |
|---|---|---|---|
| code | 05/27/2026 03:17:PM | ||
| codebooks | 05/27/2026 03:18:PM | ||
| data | 05/27/2026 03:20:PM |
Project Citation:
Bynum, Julie. Nationally Representative Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Cognitive Decline and Caregiver Datasets, 2019-2022. Ann Arbor, MI: Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research [distributor], 2026-05-27. https://doi.org/10.3886/E244591V2
Project Description
Summary:
View help for Summary
This code and corresponding data files are intended for use in cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease and related dementias (ADRD) research. The two datasets include the
most recently available data from each state during 2019-2022 where a US state
participated in either the Cognitive Decline Module or the Caregiver Module.
All data are derived from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). BRFSS is a system of phone surveys that collect state data on health-related risk behaviors, chronic health conditions, and the use of preventive services in the U.S. adult population. BRFSS is conducted in three waves, or “versions,” each year. Core questionnaires from BRFSS must be asked of all respondents in each wave and are asked, with some exceptions, in all 50 U.S. states, D.C., and some U.S. territories. Individual states may opt to include additional optional modules, such as the Cognitive Decline Module and Caregiver Module, that may be asked in some or all the waves. Data is weighted to the state-level. Taken together, researchers can generate either state-level estimates or semi-nationally representative estimates when including all states.
Both datasets include: cleaned sociodemographic information on respondents’ state, age, sex, race, education, and marital status; general, mental, and physical health; and questions from either the Caregiver Module or the Cognitive Decline Module for all states who participated in the respective optional module.
Brief and detailed summaries of the variables available in these datasets along with more detailed descriptions of performed data cleaning can be found in the provided data dictionaries. The respective dictionaries also include tables showing which states, years, and versions are used. Note that for each dataset, there are 2-3 states that did not participate in the included years. SAS, Stata, and CSV data file formats are provided as are the full coding scripts used in Stata.
All data are derived from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). BRFSS is a system of phone surveys that collect state data on health-related risk behaviors, chronic health conditions, and the use of preventive services in the U.S. adult population. BRFSS is conducted in three waves, or “versions,” each year. Core questionnaires from BRFSS must be asked of all respondents in each wave and are asked, with some exceptions, in all 50 U.S. states, D.C., and some U.S. territories. Individual states may opt to include additional optional modules, such as the Cognitive Decline Module and Caregiver Module, that may be asked in some or all the waves. Data is weighted to the state-level. Taken together, researchers can generate either state-level estimates or semi-nationally representative estimates when including all states.
Both datasets include: cleaned sociodemographic information on respondents’ state, age, sex, race, education, and marital status; general, mental, and physical health; and questions from either the Caregiver Module or the Cognitive Decline Module for all states who participated in the respective optional module.
Brief and detailed summaries of the variables available in these datasets along with more detailed descriptions of performed data cleaning can be found in the provided data dictionaries. The respective dictionaries also include tables showing which states, years, and versions are used. Note that for each dataset, there are 2-3 states that did not participate in the included years. SAS, Stata, and CSV data file formats are provided as are the full coding scripts used in Stata.
Funding Sources:
View help for Funding Sources
United States Department of Health and Human Services. National Institutes of Health. National Institute on Aging (AG066582)
Scope of Project
Subject Terms:
View help for Subject Terms
aging;
cognitive functioning;
cognition;
cognitive impairment;
dementia;
Alzheimers disease;
caregiving;
ADRD;
CAPRA
Geographic Coverage:
View help for Geographic Coverage
50 U.S. states, D.C., U.S. Territories
Time Period(s):
View help for Time Period(s)
2019 – 2022
Universe:
View help for Universe
U.S. and U.S. territory adults, weighted to the state level
Data Type(s):
View help for Data Type(s)
program source code;
survey data
Collection Notes:
View help for Collection Notes
Users of this resource should be familiar with complex survey design and appropriately apply the sample weights, strata, and cluster/primary sampling unit for any analyses. Users should set the weight to the final weight (_finalwt), strata should be set to the sample design stratification variable (_ststr), and cluster/PSU should be set to the primary sampling using (_psu).
Note that the Cognitive Decline Module was only asked of respondents age 45 and older.
Note that the Cognitive Decline Module was only asked of respondents age 45 and older.
Methodology
Sampling:
View help for Sampling
Complex survey data with a stratified, clustered sampling design, weighted to the state-level
Data Source:
View help for Data Source
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)
Collection Mode(s):
View help for Collection Mode(s)
telephone interview
Scales:
View help for Scales
Caregiver Module; Cognitive Decline Module
Weights:
View help for Weights
Users should set the weight to the final weight (_finalwt), strata should be set to the sample design stratification variable (_ststr), and cluster/PSU should be set to the primary sampling using (_psu).
Unit(s) of Observation:
View help for Unit(s) of Observation
Person
Geographic Unit:
View help for Geographic Unit
U.S. State / territory
Related Publications
Published Versions
Report a Problem
Found a serious problem with the data, such as disclosure risk or copyrighted content? Let us know.
This material is distributed exactly as received from the data depositor. As of April 2026, depositors are required to submit study materials in accessible formats. ICPSR has not reviewed, checked, or processed this material. For additional information about the study, please contact the investigator(s) directly. If you have questions about the accessibility of materials distributed by ICPSR or require further assistance, please visit ICPSR's Accessibility Center.