Definition

Average number of days adults aged 18 years and older reported ability to do usual activities during the past 30 days.

Numerator

Number of days each survey respondent reported being able to conduct usual activities.

Denominator

Total number of survey respondents excluding those with missing, 'Don't know/Not sure' and 'Refused' responses.

Data Interpretation Issues

Question Text: "Number of days during past 30 days in which usual activities could be conducted?" Data from the survey should be considered representative of all non-institutionalized adults in households with telephones. Data were collected using a random sample of all possible telephone numbers. Prior to analysis, data were weighted to represent the population distribution of adults by sex, age group, and area of residence. As with all surveys, some error results from nonresponse (e.g., refusal to participate in the survey or to answer specific questions), and measurement (e.g., social desirability or recall bias). Error was minimized by use of strict calling protocols (up to 15 calls were made to reach each household), good questionnaire design, standardization of interviewer behavior, interviewer training, and frequent, on-site interviewer monitoring and supervision.

Why Is This Important?

Self-rated health (SRH) has been collected for many years on National Center for Health Statistics surveys and since 1993 on the state-based Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Ability to perform usual activities is one indicator of SRH. SRH is an independent predictor of important health outcomes including mortality, morbidity, and functional status.

Other Objectives

Healthy New Jersey 2010 Objective 1-4: Increase days able to do usual activities during the past 30 days, due to good physical or mental health, among persons 18 and over to 28.7 for all adults 18+.

How Are We Doing?

Overall, New Jersey adults ages 18 and older report the mean number of ability days (able to conduct usual activities) to be 28 within the past 30 days. In 2010, Asians reported the highest number of ability days (29.0) compared to Whites (28), Blacks (27.7) and Hispanics (27.7).

Health Program Information

Healthy New Jersey 2010 volumes I and II, and the HNJ2010 2005 Update may be found on line at: http://www.state.nj.us/health/chs/hnj.htm.

Data Source

Behavioral Risk Factor Survey, Center for Health Statistics, New Jersey Department of Health

Data Notes

Data for White, Black and Asian do not include Hispanics. Hispanic ethnicity includes persons of any race. This is a Healthy New Jersey 2010 (HNJ2010) objective.

Data Source

Behavioral Risk Factor Survey, Center for Health Statistics, New Jersey Department of Health

Data Source

Behavioral Risk Factor Survey, Center for Health Statistics, New Jersey Department of Health

Data Source

Behavioral Risk Factor Survey, Center for Health Statistics, New Jersey Department of Health

Data Source

Behavioral Risk Factor Survey, Center for Health Statistics, New Jersey Department of Health