Which statement accurately describes BRFSS and NHANES?

• A. BRFSS collects health-risk behaviors; NHANES assesses health and nutrition status.
• B. NHANES collects health-risk behaviors; BRFSS assesses health and nutrition status.
• C. BRFSS and NHANES are both clinical trial registries.
• D. BRFSS and NHANES are not used in public health practice.

Answer: (A)

Understanding what each survey collects clarifies why this statement is accurate. BRFSS, the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, is a state-based telephone survey that gathers self-reported health-risk behaviors and preventive service use from adults—things like smoking, physical activity, diet, alcohol use, and seat belt use. NHANES, the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, combines interviews with a physical examination and laboratory tests to directly assess health and nutrition status, including measurements such as blood pressure, cholesterol, glucose, BMI, and dietary intake.

So, BRFSS focuses on behaviors people report, while NHANES provides objective health and nutrition measurements. This distinction makes the statement correct. The surveys are not clinical trial registries, and they are essential tools used in public health practice to monitor trends and guide policy.