THE PUBLIC HEALTH OF CAREGIVING

Project Background

Based on recent national surveys, about 16% of USA adults provide some level of informal unpaid caregiving to family or friends. Because of the aging of the USA population, this % and the impact on family members may be expected to rise. Currently, there are few national-level data to understand prevalence and impact of caregiving. This project seeks to produce a set of questions to determine prevalence and impact for use in surveillance surveys (specifically the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System [BRFSS]) and to analyze existing data on caregiving from earlier BRFSS data (2000-2001) on caregivers and people with disability who require caregiving.

Project Objectives

(1) analysis of correlates and prevalence of caregiving, and (2) testing the reliability and validity of a new module of surveillance questions for the BRFSS.

Project Methods

Based on an earlier national survey (National Alliance for Caregiving), and stakeholders and users of data on caregiving (e.g., CDC, AoA, VA), a ten-question module was proposed and added to four months of telephone surveys on the North Carolina BRFSS. In addition, all respondents reporting they provided care for at least one person were asked to participate in a longer follow back survey (20 minutes). Analyses will consist of examining prevalence, correlates, and measurement characteristics of the BRFSS module and follow back survey (n=600).

Project Findings

Ongoing. The ten-question module and follow back survey were implemented in North Carolina.

Project Status

Data analysis.

Project Impact

Understanding the prevalence and impact of informal caregiving in the USA may assist public heath and other policy and program planners to prioritize caregiving as an important issue. The project team also continues to work with other states who plan to instigate this module, and have a second year funded project for dissemination, publication, and support of activities related to caregiving and public health.

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