In 2006, MFH identified the need for county-specific data on tobacco use and chronic disease prevalence. These data were collected in 2002-2003; however the sample size of 15,000 limited effective analysis at the county level. To address the need for updated and more comprehensive county level data MFH contracted with the Missouri Department of Health and Senior Services (DHSS) to expand upon previous data collection activities and conduct an assessment of approximately 50,000 Missouri residents to provide county-specific data by Fall 2008.

The 2007 Missouri County-level Study (view PDF of Executive Summary) is the largest special survey ever undertaken in Missouri. The goal of this effort is to create the largest set of data possible for use by the health community to better understand local needs. This data set is envisioned to be a catalyst for change in Missouri, identifying and describing the health of communities to better inform health professionals and policymakers.

This survey is the result of a public/private partnership between MFH and DHSS. MFH granted DHSS $1.46 million for the study and the University of Missouri’s Health and Behavioral Risk Research Center was contracted to conduct telephone interviews with Missouri adults (18 years and older) between February 2007 and April 2008. The total number of completed interviews was 49,513.

Data from the 2007 County Level Study are available on the DHSS Community Profiles website: http://www.dhss.mo.gov/CommunityDataProfiles/

Press Release

Click here to view the press release.

Images From Executive Summary

Fig. 1: Smoking Prevalence (18 Years and Older) Click on map for larger file.	Fig. 2: Percentage of Population with No Health Care Coverage. Click on map for larger file.

Fig. 3: Health Care Coverage Used to Pay for Most Medical Care. Click on image for larger file.