Mission Statement
The Chronic Disease Surveillance and Research Branch (CDSRB) is committed to serving the public by collecting, managing, and sharing statewide data about chronic diseases and risk factors, conducting surveillance and research to monitor and report incidence, prevalence, disparities, and factors contributing to chronic diseases to improve the health of Californians. CDSRB coordinates these activities by directing, managing, and monitoring the state-mandated Ken Maddy California Cancer Registry (CCR), California's Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (CCCP), the Richard Paul Hemann California Parkinson's Disease Registry (CPDR), the California Neurodegenerative Disease Registry (CNDR), and the California Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (CA BRFSS).
In addition to its surveillance and research activities, CDSRB also engages in extensive public health initiatives and educational programs aimed at promoting awareness and prevention of chronic diseases. By collaborating with various partners and leveraging advanced data analytics, CDSRB strives to identify emerging health trends to provide information and guidance toward evidence-based interventions. These efforts ensure a comprehensive approach to chronic disease prevention and management across the state.
Programs
CCR is California’s statewide, population-based cancer surveillance system. In 1985, statewide population-based cancer reporting was mandated with the enactment of sections 103875, 103885, and 100330 of the California Health and Safety code. Statewide cancer reporting was fully implemented in 1988. As of 2008, CCR has collected detailed information on more than 2.7 million cases of cancer, with over 160,000 new cases added each year.
CCR collects information about all cancers diagnosed in California. The information is used to develop strategies and policies for cancer prevention, treatment, and control, such as determining where early detection, educational or other programs should be directed. In addition, health researchers use the data to analyze demographic and geographic factors that affect cancer risk, early detection, and effective treatment of cancer patients.
CCR is recognized as one of the leading cancer registries in the world and has been the cornerstone of a substantial amount of cancer research. More than 450 funded research projects and over 2,000 publications have used CCR data.
CCR staff is also responsible for responding to community cancer concerns. When a potential cancer cluster is identified through analysis of CCR data, CDSRB communicates with the Environmental Health Investigations Branch to inform them of the findings and to help determine if further investigation is warranted.
To further enhance its efforts, CDSRB collaborates with national and international partners to stay at the forefront of chronic disease surveillance and research. By leveraging technological advancements and innovative methodologies, CDSRB continuously improves data collection and analysis, ensuring accurate and timely information for public health decision-making. Moreover, the branch emphasizes the importance of community engagement and education, recognizing that informed and empowered communities play a crucial role in the prevention and management of chronic diseases. Through targeted outreach programs and partnerships with local organizations, CDSRB strives to address health disparities and promote equitable access to healthcare resources.
The CCR responds to approximately 100 community cancer concerns requests and questions every year.
Comprehensive Cancer Control is a collaborative process through which communities pool resources to reduce the burden of cancer by focusing on risk reduction, early detection, better treatment, and enhanced survivorship. In an effort to achieve these goals, the CCCP administers a statewide coalition, called the California Dialogue on Cancer (CDOC), assesses the burden of cancer determines priorities, and develops and implements a Comprehensive Cancer Control Plan (State Cancer Plan) for California. CCCP is funded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
CDOC was formed in 2002 by the CCCP in conjunction with the American Cancer Society to provide guidance for comprehensive cancer control activities statewide. CDOC is a coalition of individuals and organizations working together to reduce the burden of cancer in the state of California. CDOC is comprised of representatives from a variety of organizations, constituencies, and interest areas in cancer prevention and control. Representation of this diverse group includes state and local governments; private and nonprofit organizations; health, medical, and business communities, and academic institutions; researchers; cancer survivors; caregivers and advocates. CDOC's priorities include:
- Increase colorectal cancer screening
- Improve Cancer Survivorship
- Increase human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccination rates
- Advance Health Equity in Cancer Control (overarching)
- Improve healthy living
- Increase lung cancer screening
Visit our California Dialogue on Cancer webpage for more information.
CPDR was created within the California Department of Public Health as a population-based registry for the purposes of surveillance and research of Parkinson’s disease throughout California. Health care providers are required to report Parkinson’s disease cases to CPDR2018 through the enactment of California Health and Safety Code 103870. As of December 31, 2024, 132,000 unique Parkinson's patient encounters in California and the Registry continues to process incoming data and increase data capture acress the state.
The information that
CPDR collects about Parkinson’s disease patients is used to estimate the incidence and prevalence of this disease throughout California. Per statute, this confidential data is also available to qualified researchers with a valid scientific interest.
CPDR has published the
Data Disclosure Policies and Procedures (PDF) which details the application process for which qualified individuals may request
CPDR data. The availability of this data will expand our understanding of Parkinson’s disease and serves as an invaluable and unique public health resource for California and beyond.
CNDR is California’s new statewide population-based neurodegenerative disease surveillance system. CNDR will collect data on the incidence and prevalence of neurodegenerative disease in California. In 2021, statewide population-based neurodegenerative disease reporting to
CNDR was mandated through the enactment of section 103871 of the California Health and Safety Code.
Health and Safety Code Section 103871 requires hospital, facility, physician and surgeon, and other health care providers to report to California Department of Public Health (California Department of Public Health (CDPH) each case of a neurodegenerative disease that was designated as reportable by CDPH. CDPH will inform hospitals, facilities, physicians and surgeons, or other health care providers diagnosing or providing treatment for a patient with a neurodegenerative disease about the reporting requirements. CDPH will also be flexible with reporting due dates for the first reporting period and will assist providers with the process of reporting case encounter to CNDR.
Starting July 1, 2023, CNDR began collecting information about multiple sclerosis; on July 1, 2025, CNDR began collecting information about Alzheimer's disease; and on July 1, 2026, will begin collecting information about amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. CDPH will use the collected information to estimate incidence and prevalence of neurodegenerative diseases in California. Like CPDR, per statute, CNDR confidential data is also available to qualified researchers with a valid scientific interest in performing their own studies. CNDR has also published Data Disclosure Policies and Procedures (PDF) which details the application process for which qualified individuals may request CNDR data. CNDR will also serve as an invaluable public health resource to better understand the impact of neurodegenerative disease in California.
California BRFSS conducts, a yearly assessment of numerous public health topics. BRFSS is sponsored by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).
The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) was established in 1984 by the
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). It is the nation’s premier system of health-related telephone surveys that collect state data about U.S. residents, 18 years and older, regarding their health-related risk behaviors.
BRFSS provides the state of California and the nation with a yearly assessment of a variety of public health topics, including: demographic information, cancer prevalence and screening, tobacco use and control, gender specific health screenings (e.g., breast and prostate cancer), asthma diagnosis, alcohol consumption, and other current health concerns (e.g., flu and pneumococcal vaccinations).
The
California BRFSS utilizes random digit dialing of California landline and cell phone numbers, and conducts interviews in English and Spanish. Data is weighted allowing researchers to accurately estimate the prevalence of health conditions and behaviors. BRFSS data is available for public use.
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If you would like any additional information regarding the Chronic Disease Surveillance and Research Branch please contact the Webmaster at
cdsrbhelp@cdph.ca.gov.