Health - Physical Health & Access to Care

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What We Measured:

Disease & Mortality Rates

• Cancer Incidence & Mortality
• Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke Mortality
• Diabetes
• Lung Cancer Incidence & Mortality
• Mortality
• Overweight and Obesity
• Physical Exercise
• Unintentional Injury Mortality (including motor vehicle deaths)

Children's Health

• Birth Defects
• Infant Mortality
• Low Birthweight Babies

Gender-Related Health Issues

• Men's Health (prostate cancer, cancer screenings)
• Prenatal Care
• Teen Fertility Rates
• Women's Health (breast, cervical, uterine cancer incidence and mortality)

2004 Community Health Survey

The 2004 Community Health Survey [pdf] is the fourth in a series of studies conducted by the Health District of Northern Larimer County to help determine the health status and health care needs of people living in Larimer County.

Highlights:

Disease & Mortality Rates

• In Larimer County, cancer incidence rates increased from 1994 to 2002, while mortality rates decreased between 2002-2004. (Cancer Incidence & Mortality)
• From 2002 to 2006, cardiovascular disease (CVD) mortality rates declined in Colorado and Larimer County and were well below national rates. Males over the age of 75 have the highest mortality rates, while females over 75 have the highest number of total deaths due to CVD. (Cardiovascular Disease and Stroke Mortality)
• While the rate for diabetes in Larimer County was still below rates for Colorado and United States in 2006, it has shown a gradual increase from 2002 to 2006. Also, the overall local and national trends indicate that diabetes, as a direct cause of death, is on the rise. (Diabetes)
• In 2007, 66% of residents surveyed in Larimer County met the recommended physical activity levels suggested by the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services. In addition, more men than women met the recommended activity guidelines. (Physical Exercise)
• From 2002 to 2006, the incidence of local mortality from lung cancer in males and females remained relatively steady; males had a higher rate of lung cancer mortality than females. (Lung Cancer Incidence & Mortality)
• Both Colorado and Larimer County have lower (better) mortality rates than the nation. Heart disease and cancer represented the greatest causes of death in Larimer County in 2007. (Mortality)
• Half (50%) of all Larimer County adults are considered overweight, according to the 2004-05 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey for Larimer County. Married (currently or previously) males, aged 55-64 were most likely to be overweight. (Overweight and Obesity)
• In Larimer County, Mortality rates due to unintentional injury increased 10% from 1999 (33.1) to 2007 (36.4) and fell significantly short of the Healthy People 2010 goal of 17.5. Injuries that most commonly result in death include motor vehicle accidents and falls. Groups that are most affected include those 65 and older and males. (Unintentional Injury Mortality )

Children's Health

• From 2002 to 2006, the most prevalent birth defects among Larimer County infants included heart defects, genital/urinary defects, and muscular/skeletal defects. (Birth Defects)
• The eight-year average rate of infant mortality (2000 to 2007) was higher for Colorado than for Larimer County (6.1 per 1,000 compared to 5.0 per 1,000). Colorado and Larimer County’s infant death rates have been consistently lower than the average national rate of 6.8 over the last eight years. (Infant Mortality)
• In 2007, Larimer County had 268 low birthweight babies (5.5 lbs or less) and 31 very low birthweight babies (3.3 lbs or less). Larimer County had consistently lower percentages of low birthweight babies than Colorado and the nation. (Low Birthweight Babies)

Gender-Related Health Issues

• Breast Cancer Mortality in Larimer County was more than 23% lower than the state of Colorado in 2006 and was 10% lower than Larimer County's 2005 rate. (Women's Health)
• Male mortality rates for the ten leading causes of death (2005) in Colorado exceeded rates in Larimer County for all causes except suicide, kidney disease, and Alzheimer’s disease. From 2002 to 2006, the rates of deaths from prostate cancer among men in Larimer County declined. (Men's Health)
• From 2003 to 2007, the rate of first trimester prenatal care received by mothers in Larimer County was generally higher than the average of Colorado. In 2007, the Healthy People 2010 target rate of 90% was not met by either the State of Colorado (76.0%) or Larimer County (79.4%). (Prenatal Care)
• From 2001 to 2007, Larimer County births to mothers aged 15-17, ranged from a low of 55 (2003) to a high of103 births (2001). Hispanic teen fertility rates continue to be significantly higher than non-Hispanic rates. (Teen Fertility Rates)

Findings from the Health District 2004 Community Health Survey

• The percentage of respondents diagnosed with asthma rose from 12% in 2001, to 17% in 2004. The percentage of respondents with low incomes who reported being in 'excellent' or 'very good health' has continued to decrease since the first Health District Survey in 1995. (Self-Reported Health Status [pdf])
• Fewer people (50%) reported being within recommended weight guidelines in 2004 than in 1995 (59%). At the same time, smoking rates for adults have dropped to their lowest levels in nine years, from 18% of respondents in 1995, to 15% in 2004. (Risk Factors [pdf])
• In 2004, nearly one in eight respondents (13%) reported not doing any moderate or vigorous physical activity on any days of the week. Results varied by age category, with 48% of 18 to 34 year olds getting sufficient exercise, while only 7% of those 65 years and older giving the same response. (Risk Factors [pdf])
• In 2004, 68% of respondents reported receiving a dental exam and/or teeth cleaning in the past year, compared to 64% in 1995. (Preventive Screenings [pdf])

Related Studies:

• Whose Kids are Covered? A State-by-State Look at Uninsured Children [pdf], almost 15% of Colorado's 18-and-under population lack health coverage, making Colorado 43rd among U.S. states for this measure. (March 2007, Robert Wood Johnson Foundation)
• Cancer Statistics 2007. [pdf] - this annual report issued by the American Cancer Society indicates that fewer people died of cancer in 2004 than in 2003, marking the second consecutive year that cancer deaths have declined. [pdf](CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians)
• America's Health Rankings presents yearly assessments of the relative healthiness of the nation, including individual analysis of each state. (United Health Foundation in partnership with the American Public Health Association & Partnership for Prevention)
• Gaps in Health Insurance: An All-American Problem [pdf] - (April 2006) - discusses high rates of uninsured residents and medical debt in American. (Charts - Powerpoint)
• Larimer County Profile - Maternal and Child Health Data Sets [pdf] (Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment) Presents local profiles of 29 measures of maternal and child health.
• Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS) Surveillance Report [pdf] examines local maternal behaviors and experiences before, during and after pregnancy.
• The Evaluation Report for the Nurse Family Partnership in Colorado [pdf], and the program's Annual Report [pdf], include program outcomes and funding for Larimer County's nurse home visitation program.
• Larimer County Births & Pregnancy Report, 2002 - 2003 [pdf] presents birth and fertility rates, and comparisons with Colorado.
• The Elimination of the Prenatal Presumptive Eligibility Program [pdf] explains the potential repercussions of discontinuing this Medicaid program.
• Cancer Facts & Figures [pdf] (January 2005) - This report, released annually by the American Cancer Society, tracks national and state-wide cancer statistics.
• Trends in U.S. Health Insurance Coverage, 2001-2003 (August 2004) - According to this report from the Center for Studying Health System Change, the proportion of the under-65 population with Medicaid, SCHIP and other state coverage has increased significantly from 2001.
• Senior Wellness Initiative Evaluation Report Summary [pdf] - (The Colorado Trust; 2004) - This evaluation report submits two community health promotion models, each specifically targeted for persons 65 and older.
• F as in Fat: How Obesity Policies are Failing in America - (October 2004) - This report by the Trust for America's Health, looks at state rankings in the prevalence of adult obesity and diabetes cases.
• Nutrition and Your Health: Dietary Guidelines for Americans - (August 2004) - this report, published jointly every five years by the Department of Health and Human Services & the Department of Agriculture, provides advice on good dietary habits and serves as the basis for Federal food and nutrition education programs.
• 2003 Annual Assessment: Motor Vehicle Traffic Crash Fatality Counts and Injury Estimates for 2003 [pdf] - (August 2004) - National Center for Statistics & Analysis, Department of Transportation
• State Programs in Action: Exemplary Work to Prevent Chronic Disease and Promote Health [pdf] - this Centers for Disease Control & Prevention (CDC) report highlights innovative state programs that promote healthy lifestyles. Two Colorado programs, colorectal cancer screening and oral health, are highlighted.
• 2004 World Health Organization: "Changing History" - this report calls for a comprehensive HIV/AIDS strategy that links prevention, treatment, care and long-term support.
• Healthcare in America: Trends in Utilization (January 2004)[pdf] This report from the National Center for Health Statistics examines evolving trends in utilization based on the population's changing needs.
• Larimer County Department of Health & Environment Annual Report, 2001
• Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment:
  • The Colorado Health Information Dataset (COHID) is a combined effort of local and state public health agencies. Its purpose is to provide health and environmental data for review and analysis. Using internet-based technologies, users may query and summarize from a variety of datasets.
  • Year 2010 Health Objectives for the Nation: County Summary of Colorado Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Data for 2001-Larimer County
  • Maternal and Child Health County Profiles 2003-Larimer County
• "Untangling the Web-How to Find Useful Nutrition and Health Information Online" by the Center for Science in the Public Interest
• The Rising Prevalence of Severe Poverty in America, A Growing Threat to Public Health found that the increase of families in severe poverty will in turn increase the prevalence of chronic illness, putting pressure on already stressed public and private health care systems. (Woolf, et al., American Journal of Preventive Medicine, October 2006, Vol. 31, No. 4)

Related Issues within Compass:

• Economy: Individual
• Environment: Quality
• Health: Alcohol, Tobacco, & Other Drugs
• Health: Mental Health & Emotional Well-Being
• West Nile Virus: Larimer County 2003

Additional Resources:

• Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
• Colorado Department of Public Health & Environment
• First Call Information & Referral System
• Health District of Northern Larimer County
• Healthy People 2010 National Targets
• Larimer County Department of Health and Environment
• McKee Medical Center: Loveland
• Other Local Health Resources via FortNet
• Poudre Valley Hospital: Fort Collins
• Salud Clinic: Estes Park