Surveillance for Certain Health Behaviors Among States and Selected Local Areas --- United States, 2008

Chronic diseases (e.g., diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and stroke) are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States. Data on health risk behaviors that increase the risk for chronic diseases and use of preventive practices are essential for the development, implementation, and evaluation of health promotion programs, policies, and intervention strategies to decrease or prevent the leading causes of morbidity and mortality. Surveillance data from states and territories, selected metropolitan and micropolitan areas, and counties are vital components of these various prevention and intervention strategies.

http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/ss5910a1.htm?s_cid=ss5910a1_e