New York’s Broome County Conducting Local Health Behavior Survey

New York's Broome County Health Department and the state Department of Health in July began a year-long telephone health survey that will help state and local officials develop health care programs and services designed to respond to the needs of county residents, the Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin reports. Professional health interviewers from the Idaho-based survey company Clearwater Research will ask 630 randomly selected Broome County residents questions about their health behaviors, such as exercise, smoking habits and access to medical care. Broome County Supervising Public Health Educator Jan Chytilo said, "We've never had local data like this before. ... We're very excited." The survey is part of the Expanded Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey, which is also being conducted in 38 localities statewide (Manigo, Binghamton Press & Sun-Bulletin, 8/27).