A study comparing the Maryland State Legislators' health behaviors to those of their constituents

This study developed a health profile of the 1992 Maryland State Legislators and then determined if the findings of selected health practices of a sample of the legislators were significantly different from those of their constituents. A 43 question health risk appraisal was distributed to all 188 Maryland State Legislators of 1992. A response rate of 56% was achieved. The data for the constituents was collected by the Maryland State Health Department, using the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey. It was found that there was no significant difference between the legislators and their constituents in seat belt use less than 90% of the time and exercise participation three times per week. However, a more significant number of legislators drank and drove or rode with someone in the last month who had perhaps too much alcohol when compared to their constituents. In addition, significantly more legislators were found to drink heavily but significantly fewer legislators were found to be cigarette smokers when compared to their constituents. A better understanding of legislators' health practices may be important for determining the direction of future health-related legislation and their voting behavior on health policy issues.