Skip directly to searchSkip directly to the site navigationSkip directly to the page's main content

Complete Health Indicator Report of Health status: physical health past 30 days

Definition

Percentage of adults aged 18 years and older who reported seven or more days when their physical health was not good in the past 30 days

Numerator

Number of survey respondents who reported seven or more days when their physical health was not good in the past 30 days

Denominator

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

Data Interpretation Issues

Question Text: "Now thinking about your physical health, which includes physical illness and injury, for how many days during the past 30 days was your physical health NOT good?" Beginning in 2011, BRFSS data includes both landline and cell phone respondent data along with a new weighting methodology called iterative proportional fitting, or raking. This methodology utilizes additional demographic information (such as education, race, and marital status) in the weighting procedure. Both of these methodology changes were implemented to account for an increased number of U.S. households without landline phones and an under-representation of certain demographic groups that were not well-represented in the sample. More details about these changes can be found at: [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/pdf/opha/resource/brfss/RakingImpact2011.pdf]. As with all surveys, some error results from non-response (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 the use of strict calling protocols, good questionnaire design, standardization of interviewer behavior, interviewer training, and frequent, on-site interviewer monitoring and supervision.

Why Is This Important?

General physical health status is the culmination of all the things that affect a person's health. A person may have had poor health because of an injury, an acute infection such as a cold or flu, or a chronic health problem. This measure can be used to identify health disparities, track population trends, plan public health programs, and measure progress toward several Healthy People 2030 goals.

Other Objectives

One of the Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists (CSTE) Chronic Disease Indicators: "Average recent physically unhealthy days among adults."

How Are We Doing?

In 2023, an estimated 17.6% (age-adjusted rate) of Utah adults reported seven or more days in the past 30 days when their physical health was not good. Adults who were obese reported seven or more days of poor physical health at higher rates (21.9%) than their normal weight (15.1%) or overweight (14.7%) counterparts (age-adjusted rates). Current smokers also reported higher rates of poor physical health (30.7%) in the past 30 days than nonsmokers (16.5%) (age-adjusted rates).

How Do We Compare With the U.S.?

Looking at age-adjusted rates for 2023, Utah had a similar rate to the U.S. rate of adults who reported seven or more days when their physical health was not good in the past 30 days. Utah's rate was 17.6% and the U.S. rate was 17.8%. Age-adjusted rates were used to compare Utah and the U.S. because Utah has a younger population than the U.S., and younger adults are less likely to experience poor physical health than older adults. Age-adjusting controls for differences in this measure that are due to the difference in age distributions of the populations.

What Is Being Done?

Until the last few years efforts to control chronic diseases have focused on preventing premature mortality. Reducing morbidity and improving disease self-management skills are now receiving considerably more attention from chronic disease prevention and control programs. The goal is to decrease the percentage of adults, including those who may have a chronic condition, who experience poor physical health days.

Available Services

The Department of Health and Human Services' mission is to ensure all Utahns have fair and equitable opportunities to live safe and healthy lives. We will achieve this through effective policy and a seamless system of services and programs. Visit the Utah Department of Health and Human Services website at [https://dhhs.utah.gov/] for more information about public health services in Utah.


Related Indicators

Relevant Population Characteristics

Health status is associated with age, education level, and household income. Older adults report more physical health problems than younger adults. College graduates and those with higher household incomes report the lowest number of unhealthy days.

Related Relevant Population Characteristics Indicators:


Health Care System Factors

Because people often seek health care when they feel unhealthy, poor self-perceived health can be associated with burden on the health care delivery system.

Related Health Care System Factors Indicators:


Risk Factors

Poor health status is related to many of the risk factors for disease and injury such as overweight/obesity, physical inactivity, smoking, and lack of immunization.

Related Risk Factors Indicators:


Health Status Outcomes

Number of days when physical health is not good in the past 30 days is related to poor health outcomes like activity limitation, hospitalization, and death.

Related Health Status Outcomes Indicators:




Graphical Data Views

Seven or more days of poor physical health in the past 30 days by sex and age group, Utah, 2023

::chart - missing::
confidence limits

Males vs. FemalesAge groupPercentage of adultsLower LimitUpper Limit
Record Count: 12
Male18-3411.5%9.6%13.8%
Male35-4912.2%10.3%14.5%
Male50-6416.0%13.6%18.9%
Male65+19.1%16.4%22.2%
Female18-3420.9%17.9%24.2%
Female35-4917.7%15.3%20.4%
Female50-6423.8%20.6%27.4%
Female65+24.3%21.5%27.2%

Data Source

Utah Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/query/selection/brfss/BRFSSSelection.html]


Seven or more days of poor physical health in the past 30 days by education level, Utah, 2023

::chart - missing::
confidence limits

Education levelAge-adjusted percentage of adults 25+Lower LimitUpper Limit
Record Count: 5
Less than high school26.4%21.5%32.0%
H.S. grad or G.E.D.18.6%16.6%20.7%
Some post high school19.7%17.8%21.7%
College graduate13.9%12.7%15.2%
Total17.9%16.9%19.0%

Data Notes

Age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population.

Data Source

Utah Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/query/selection/brfss/BRFSSSelection.html]


Seven or more days of poor physical health in the past 30 days by income category, Utah, 2023

::chart - missing::
confidence limits

Income categoryAge-adjusted percentage of adultsLower LimitUpper Limit
Record Count: 6
<$25,00034.2%30.0%38.7%
$25,000-$49,99923.3%20.6%26.3%
$50,000-$74,99917.0%14.6%19.7%
$75,000+12.6%11.3%14.1%
Total17.6%16.6%18.5%

Data Notes

Age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population.

Data Source

Utah Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/query/selection/brfss/BRFSSSelection.html]


Seven or more days of poor physical health in the past 30 days by ethnicity, Utah, 2023

::chart - missing::
confidence limits

Hispanic ethnicityAge-adjusted percentage of adultsLower LimitUpper Limit
Record Count: 4
Hispanic/Latino18.3%15.5%21.6%
Non-Hispanic/Latino17.4%16.4%18.5%
All ethnicities17.6%16.6%18.5%
U.S.17.8%17.5%18.1%

Data Notes

Age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population.

Data Sources

  • Utah Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/query/selection/brfss/BRFSSSelection.html]
  • Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey Data, US Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).


Seven or more days of poor physical health in the past 30 days by race, Utah, 2021-2023

::chart - missing::
confidence limits

RaceAge-adjusted percentage of adultsLower LimitUpper Limit
Record Count: 8
American Indian/Alaska Native21.7%17.0%27.3%
Asian10.6%7.8%14.4%
Black, African American15.5%11.1%21.3%
Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander19.3%12.6%28.6%
White16.7%16.1%17.3%
Other13.1%9.6%17.6%
Two or more races25.7%20.1%32.1%
All races16.9%16.3%17.4%

Data Notes

Please note that in 2023 the question for race changed. These categories represent respondents reporting a single race alone. If multiple races were given, responses are in the "Two or more races" category. Age adjusted to the U.S. 2000 standard population based on 3 age groups: 18-34, 35-49, and 50+.

Data Sources

  • Utah Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/query/selection/brfss/BRFSSSelection.html]
  • Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey Data, US Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).


Seven or more days of poor physical health in the past 30 days by weight category, Utah, 2023

::chart - missing::
confidence limits

Adults who were obese reported seven or more days of poor physical health at higher rates (21.9%) than their normal weight (15.1%) or overweight (14.7%) counterparts.
Weight categoryAge-adjusted percentage of adultsLower LimitUpper Limit
Record Count: 3
Healthy weight15.1%13.4%16.8%
Overweight14.7%13.2%16.4%
Obese21.9%20.0%23.9%

Data Notes

Age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population. Body mass index (BMI) less than 25 is considered normal or ideal. BMI between 25 and 30 is considered overweight. BMI 30 or above is considered obese.

Data Source

Utah Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/query/selection/brfss/BRFSSSelection.html]


Seven or more days of poor physical health in the past 30 days by current smoker status, Utah, 2023

::chart - missing::
confidence limits

Current current smokers reported higher rates of poor physical health (30.7%) in the past 30 days than nonsmokers (16.5%).
Age-adjusted percentage of adultsLower LimitUpper Limit
Record Count: 2
Yes30.7%25.6%36.2%
No16.5%15.6%17.5%

Data Notes

Age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population.

Data Source

Utah Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/query/selection/brfss/BRFSSSelection.html]


Seven or more days of poor physical health in the past 30 days by local health district, Utah, 2023

::chart - missing::
confidence limits

Local health districtAge-adjusted percentage of adultsLower LimitUpper LimitNote
Record Count: 15
Bear River17.0%13.5%21.2%
Central18.9%14.3%24.6%
Davis County19.6%16.2%23.4%
Salt Lake County17.1%15.4%18.9%
San Juan16.6%9.8%26.7%
Southeast19.7%15.2%25.3%
Southwest16.9%14.1%20.1%
Summit14.6%8.9%23.0%
Tooele20.9%16.3%26.4%
TriCounty20.3%15.3%26.3%
Utah County16.3%14.3%18.6%
Wasatch12.7%7.7%20.2%*
Weber-Morgan18.3%15.2%21.8%
State of Utah17.6%16.6%18.5%
U.S.17.8%17.5%18.1%

Data Notes

Age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population. *Use caution in interpreting; the estimate has a coefficient of variation >30% and is therefore deemed unreliable by Utah Department of Health and Human Services standards.

Data Sources

  • Utah Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/query/selection/brfss/BRFSSSelection.html]
  • Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey Data, US Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).


Seven or more days of poor physical health in the past 30 days by Utah Small Area, 2021-2023 and U.S. 2023

::chart - missing::
confidence limits

Utah Small AreasAge-adjusted percentage of adultsLower LimitUpper LimitNote
Record Count: 101
Brigham City20.4%14.4%28.0%
Box Elder Co (Other) V212.2%6.9%20.5%
Tremonton18.2%12.2%26.3%
Logan V220.6%16.6%25.4%
North Logan20.4%14.3%28.2%
Cache (Other)/Rich (All) V213.6%8.9%20.2%
Hyrum25.1%15.3%38.3%
Smithfield12.1%6.9%20.3%
Ben Lomond23.4%19.0%28.5%
Weber County (East)15.8%11.7%20.9%
Morgan County13.8%7.7%23.6%*
Ogden (Downtown)20.2%15.7%25.5%
South Ogden15.3%11.5%19.9%
Roy/Hooper19.4%15.0%24.6%
Riverdale21.5%15.2%29.4%
Clearfield Area/Hooper24.5%19.8%29.9%
Layton/South Weber19.1%15.2%23.6%
Kaysville/Fruit Heights18.5%13.1%25.5%
Syracuse17.0%11.5%24.4%
Centerville11.0%6.3%18.7%
Farmington8.6%4.8%15.0%
North Salt Lake19.5%13.2%27.8%
Woods Cross/West Bountiful13.1%8.1%20.4%
Bountiful16.3%12.4%21.1%
SLC (Rose Park)18.6%13.5%25.1%
SLC (Avenues)7.9%4.7%13.1%
SLC (Foothill/East Bench)12.6%7.3%21.1%
Magna18.7%13.6%25.0%
SLC (Glendale) V217.6%10.8%27.2%
West Valley (Center)25.2%19.6%31.8%
West Valley (West) V220.0%14.2%27.5%
West Valley (East) V223.9%18.6%30.2%
SLC (Downtown) V221.9%16.3%28.8%
SLC (Southeast Liberty)15.6%10.7%22.3%
South Salt Lake19.9%14.1%27.2%
SLC (Sugar House)22.4%16.7%29.3%
Millcreek (South)19.9%12.4%30.3%
Millcreek (East)9.6%5.7%15.7%
Holladay V214.4%8.1%24.3%
Cottonwood9.3%6.4%13.2%
Kearns V217.6%12.5%24.1%
Taylorsville (E)/Murray (W)10.1%7.0%14.3%
Taylorsville (West)15.1%10.9%20.4%
Murray19.1%14.0%25.5%
Midvale20.4%15.4%26.5%
West Jordan (Northeast) V216.6%11.0%24.2%
West Jordan (Southeast)17.3%12.6%23.1%
West Jordan (W)/Copperton19.6%14.7%25.7%
South Jordan V214.1%10.1%19.3%
Daybreak12.6%8.6%18.1%
Sandy (West)22.3%15.4%31.3%
Sandy (Center) V215.0%9.7%22.6%
Sandy (Northeast)14.1%8.9%21.4%
Sandy (Southeast)14.9%10.4%20.8%
Draper11.3%8.0%15.7%
Riverton/Bluffdale15.7%11.6%20.8%
Herriman12.5%8.7%17.7%
Tooele County (Other)16.9%12.2%22.9%
Tooele Valley19.3%16.1%23.0%
Eagle Mountain/Cedar Valley17.6%12.7%23.8%
Lehi13.8%10.6%17.6%
Saratoga Springs12.3%7.9%18.4%
American Fork17.1%13.1%22.0%
Alpine15.4%7.2%30.0%*
Pleasant Grove/Lindon14.5%11.4%18.3%
Orem (North)12.3%8.8%16.9%
Orem (West)16.6%12.9%21.0%
Orem (East)13.8%9.0%20.5%
Provo/BYU14.5%10.6%19.6%
Provo (West City Center)19.4%14.6%25.3%
Provo (East City Center)17.7%11.6%26.0%
Salem City14.8%7.6%26.7%*
Spanish Fork17.9%13.4%23.5%
Springville14.8%10.7%20.1%
Mapleton20.5%12.4%31.9%*
Utah County (South) V213.1%8.4%20.0%
Payson13.0%8.8%18.7%
Park City12.0%8.0%17.5%
Summit County (East)16.1%10.1%24.6%
Wasatch County13.5%9.9%18.2%
Daggett and Uintah County17.4%14.2%21.1%
Duchesne County18.5%14.2%23.9%
Nephi/Mona15.3%9.3%24.0%
Delta/Fillmore28.3%19.6%39.0%
Sanpete Valley15.8%10.9%22.2%
Central (Other)17.2%12.6%23.1%
Richfield/Monroe/Salina22.0%16.3%28.9%
Carbon County21.8%17.4%26.9%
Emery County20.0%14.3%27.3%
Grand County18.8%12.0%28.4%
Blanding/Monticello21.5%14.4%30.8%
San Juan County (Other)20.8%12.9%31.8%
St. George14.6%11.8%18.0%
Washington Co (Other) V27.3%4.0%12.9%*
Washington City15.3%10.1%22.4%
Hurricane/La Verkin20.1%14.2%27.7%
Ivins/Santa Clara16.7%8.9%29.3%
Cedar City22.7%17.7%28.6%
Southwest LHD (Other)11.8%8.7%15.9%
State of Utah16.9%16.4%17.5%
U.S.17.8%17.5%18.1%

Data Notes

Age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population. *Use caution in interpreting; the estimate has a coefficient of variation >30% and is therefore deemed unreliable by Utah Department of Health and Human Services standards. A description of the Utah Small Areas may be found on IBIS at the following URL: [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/resource/Guidelines.html].

Data Sources

  • Utah Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/query/selection/brfss/BRFSSSelection.html]
  • Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey Data, US Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).


Seven or more days of poor physical health in the past 30 days, Utah and U.S., 1995-2023

::chart - missing::
confidence limits

BRFSS Utah vs. U.S.YearAge-adjusted percentage of adultsLower LimitUpper LimitNote
Record Count: 60
UT Old Methodology199515.3%13.6%17.1%
UT Old Methodology199614.7%13.1%16.3%
UT Old Methodology199716.6%14.7%18.4%
UT Old Methodology199815.4%13.7%17.1%
UT Old Methodology199915.3%13.6%16.9%
UT Old Methodology200015.2%13.5%16.9%
UT Old Methodology200114.8%13.4%16.3%
UT Old Methodology200213.2%11.8%14.5%
UT Old Methodology200313.9%12.4%15.3%
UT Old Methodology200415.5%14.3%16.6%
UT Old Methodology200515.8%14.6%17.0%
UT Old Methodology200615.5%14.3%16.8%
UT Old Methodology200713.0%11.9%14.1%
UT Old Methodology200814.0%12.9%15.2%
UT Old Methodology200915.0%14.1%15.9%
UT Old Methodology201013.7%12.8%14.6%
US Old Methodology199513.6%13.3%14.0%
US Old Methodology199612.9%12.6%13.2%
US Old Methodology199713.3%13.0%13.6%
US Old Methodology199813.5%13.2%13.8%
US Old Methodology199913.9%13.6%14.2%
US Old Methodology200014.2%13.9%14.5%
US Old Methodology200114.8%14.6%15.1%
US Old Methodology200214.5%14.0%14.9%^
US Old Methodology200315.2%14.9%15.5%
US Old Methodology200415.4%15.1%15.7%
US Old Methodology200515.1%14.9%15.4%
US Old Methodology200614.8%14.6%15.1%
US Old Methodology200715.0%14.7%15.2%
US Old Methodology200815.3%15.0%15.5%
US Old Methodology200915.2%15.0%15.4%
US Old Methodology201015.2%15.0%15.4%
UT New Methodology200915.8%14.9%16.7%
UT New Methodology201014.7%13.9%15.5%
UT New Methodology201115.2%14.4%16.0%
UT New Methodology201214.4%13.7%15.2%
UT New Methodology201315.0%14.2%15.8%
UT New Methodology201414.6%14.0%15.3%
UT New Methodology201514.6%13.8%15.4%
UT New Methodology201614.6%13.7%15.5%
UT New Methodology201715.0%14.1%15.9%
UT New Methodology201815.5%14.7%16.4%
UT New Methodology201916.5%15.7%17.4%
UT New Methodology202012.4%11.6%13.4%
UT New Methodology202116.0%15.1%16.9%
UT New Methodology202217.2%16.2%18.2%
UT New Methodology202317.6%16.6%18.5%
US New Methodology201116.7%16.5%16.9%
US New Methodology201216.6%16.3%16.8%
US New Methodology201316.5%16.3%16.7%
US New Methodology201416.1%15.9%16.4%
US New Methodology201516.2%16.1%16.5%
US New Methodology201616.1%15.8%16.3%
US New Methodology201716.6%16.4%16.8%
US New Methodology201816.9%16.7%17.2%
US New Methodology201916.8%16.6%17.0%
US New Methodology202013.2%12.9%13.4%
US New Methodology202114.8%14.5%15.0%
US New Methodology202217.6%17.3%17.8%
US New Methodology202317.8%17.5%18.1%

Data Notes

Age adjusted to U.S. 2000 standard population. ^ In 2002, only Utah and 22 other states asked the question. U.S. data are the average for all states and the District of Columbia; they do not include the U.S. territories. Note: At the time of this update, the BRFSS U.S. dataset did not include an age variable but did include five age categories up to age 80+ (vs. the typical weighting scheme that includes 85+). Comparisons with both weighting schemes were compared using Utah data, and the difference was about 1/100 of a percentage point. Starting in 2009, the BRFSS included both landline and cell phone respondent interviews along with a new weighting methodology called iterative proportional fitting, or raking. More details about these changes can be found at: [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/pdf/opha/resource/brfss/RakingImpact2011.pdf].

Data Sources

  • Utah Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/query/selection/brfss/BRFSSSelection.html]
  • Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey Data, US Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

References and community resources

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: [http://www.cdc.gov] MedlinePlus: MedlinePlus brings together authoritative information for the general public from the National Library of Medicine, the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and other government agencies and health-related organizations. [http://medlineplus.gov/] More information on the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System may be found on the website of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - [http://www.cdc.gov/brfss/]

More Resources and Links

Additional indicator data by state and county may be found on these websites:

Medical literature can be queried at PubMed library.

Page Content Updated On 10/17/2024, Published on 10/22/2024
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, Office of Research & Evaluation, Utah Department of Health and Human Services | Website: healthassessment.utah.gov/access-brfss-data | Email: Shige Onda sonda@utah.gov
The information provided above is from the Utah Department of Health and Human Services IBIS-PH website (https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/). The information published on this website may be reproduced without permission. Please use the following citation: " Retrieved Fri, 22 November 2024 17:00:13 from Utah Department of Health and Human Services, Indicator-Based Information System for Public Health website: https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/ ".

Content updated: Tue, 22 Oct 2024 13:30:38 MDT