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 1996 to 2005 while mortality rates decreased from 1998 to 2007. (Cancer Incidence & Mortality)
• From 1998 to 2007, 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 2007, it has shown a gradual increase from 2004 to 2008. (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)
• More than half (53.3%) of all Larimer County adults are considered overweight, according to the 2008 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey for Larimer County. (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

• In 2007, both Larimer County and Colorado had lower female death rates for six of the top ten leading causes of death in the nation. (Women's Health)
• In 2006, male mortality rates for the leading causes of death in Colorado exceeded rates in Larimer County for all causes except cancer, stroke, and kidney disease. Between 1998 and 2007, the average number of men who died from prostate cancer in Larimer County was approximately 20 per year. (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 2009. [pdf] - this annual report, issued by the American Cancer Society, estimates that nearly 1.5 million new cases of cancer will be diagnosed in 2009.
• Cancer Prevention & Early Detection Facts & Figures 2009 [pdf], according to this annual report, approximately one-third of the estimated 2009 cancer deaths will be caused by lack of physical activity, poor nutrition, and obesity. (American Cancer Society)
• The State of Children and Youth in Larimer County (July 2009) [pdf], this report, prepared by Healthier Communities Coalition of Larimer County, offers a snapshot of how children and youth in Larimer County are doing at the beginning of the 21^st century.
• Income, Poverty, and Health Insurance Coverage in the United States: 2007 (August 2008) [pdf], this report presents data on income, poverty, and health insurance coverage based on information collected in the 2008 Annual Social and Economic Supplements (ASEC) to the Current Population Survey (CPS) conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau.
• The Colorado Health Report Card (2008) [pdf] - according to this report by the Colorado Health Foundation, older adults in Colorado fared better (B+) than infants and children (C-) with respect to health indicators.
• Income, Education and Obesity: a Closer Look at the Inequities in Colorado's Obesity Problem (2008) [pdf] - according to this report by the Colorado Health Foundation, if obesity continues at its current rate, only 35% of Coloradoans will be of a healthy weight by 2017.
• The Blue Ribbon Commission for Health Care Reform's Final Report to the Colorado General Assembly (January 31, 2008) [pdf] - this report provides recommendations for reducing the number of Coloradoans without health insurance and offers a vision for health care reform.
• 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.
• Nutrition and Your Health: Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2005 - 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.
• 2007 Annual Assessment: Motor Vehicle Traffic Crash Fatality Counts and Injury Estimates for 2007 [pdf] - (September 2008) - 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.
• Primary Health Care: Now More Than Ever [pdf] - (2008) - according to this annual World Health Organization (WHO) report there is a growing and necessary need for primary health care reform throughout the world.
• 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

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