The data were derived from an electronic file and analysis was completed in consultation with staff of the Division of Epidemiology. The data has been weighted according to the overall population and overall risk factors for Kentucky taking into account the characteristics of respondents to the general population. Therefore, the data were not weighted by regional characteristics. The sample size for the survey is quite large, over 2,000. However, the sample is not adequate to permit analysis at the individual county level.
State government presents the risk factor data at the statewide and area development district level.
Following consultation with state government, additional analyses were completed which aggregated the data at the level of all rural counties, all urban counties, and by Medicaid managed care region. A chronic drinker is one who has an average of 60 or more drinks in a month. An acute drinker is one who has 5 or more drinks on one occasion. Respondents are asked if they now smoke cigarettes. Current smokers are those who smoked at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime and who smoke now.