Evaluating Chronic Disease Surveillance Systems: Lessons Learned From Applying a Framework to Assess the Alaska Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

Abstract

Chronic diseases with behavioral risk factors are now the leading causes of death in the United States. A national Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) monitors those risk factors; however, there is a need for national and state evaluations of chronic disease surveillance systems. The Department of Health and Human Services/Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has developed a framework on evaluating noncommunicable disease–related surveillance systems; however, no implementation of this framework has yet been published. This article describes the process of, and offers lessons learned from, implementing the evaluation framework to assess the Alaska BRFSS. This implementation evaluation may inform assessments of other state and regional chronic disease surveillance systems and offers insight on the positive potential to consult key stakeholders to guide evaluation priorities.