Latest news with #UniversityofWisconsinPopulationHealthInstitute
Axios
07-04-2025
- Health
- Axios
Dallas County outpaces U.S. in key health measures
Dallas County is one of the healthiest counties in the state and ranks better than the average county in the U.S., according to an annual County Health Rankings report. Why it matters: Health factors aren't just what's happening inside the doctor's office — social, economic and physical environment are also determinants, and in many of these, Dallas County is performing better than the rest of the country. Driving the news: The 2025 report, published annually by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, looks at 30 different measures including birth weights, insurance rates, vaccination rates, mental health and levels of obesity. State of play: Compared with the rest of the state, Dallas County residents are above average for high school completion and college education attainment. They also have lower child poverty rates and fewer preventable hospital stays and severe housing problems. Between the lines: Dallas County residents' physical health also fares better than the rest of the state's and country's averages, according to the report. Much of the population is younger and less likely to face chronic illnesses, Abigail Coder, Dallas County's community health administrator, tells Axios. The county is the fastest-growing in the state, with a median age of 36, compared with 39 years old statewide, according to census data. Median household income is also higher — around $102,200, compared with $71,700 statewide, according to the report. Two-thirds of the county's population live within West Des Moines, Waukee, Urbandale and Clive, where wealthier and younger populations are more likely to live. Yes, but: Rural Dallas County residents are dealing with health challenges that are often overlooked. Zoom in: 14% of Dallas County residents who identify as non-white or Hispanic don't have health insurance, compared with less than 10% of the county's white, non-Hispanic population, according to the county's 2023-25 health improvement plan. Rural residents were more likely to report fair or poor mental health status. Perry adults were also more likely to sleep less than seven hours a day. 69% of Dallas County adults were overweight or obese, and rural residents are more likely to have high blood pressure and high cholesterol. The intrigue: The county health department is trying to address the inequalities by providing transportation services for rural residents to health care appointments and getting more specialists in Perry. Zoom out: Neighboring Polk County is also performing better than average compared with other U.S. counties. The bottom line: "We love that folks are doing really well here," Abigail Coder, Dallas County's community health administrator, tells Axios.
Yahoo
06-04-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Health roadmap shows declines in Wayne County teen birth rates, drug overdoses, deaths
Wayne County residents are experiencing better overall health and well-being compared to the Ohio and national averages, according to the 2024 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps report. The report is a nationwide analysis conducted by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. The county shows lower rates of smoking, obesity and premature death compared to Ohio and national averages, and its residents benefit from strong community conditions that contribute to overall wellness. The percentage of adult smokers in Wayne County is 17%, compared to 20% in Ohio and 16% nationwide, according to the report. Notable improvements include a significant decrease in teen birth rates and a reduction in drug overdose deaths. While specific numbers for Wayne County were not available, Ohio's teen birth rate stands at 15.4 births per 1,000 females aged 15-19, slightly higher than the national average of 13.9 births per 1,000, according to the CDC. Statewide, unintentional drug overdose deaths fell by 9% in 2023, outpacing the 2% national decline, according to state data. Wayne County has fewer primary care physicians per resident than the state and national averages, and mental health concerns persist, with residents reporting slightly more poor mental health days than the Ohio average. The county has a population-to-primary-care-physician ratio of 2,500 resident to one physician, significantly higher than Ohio's 1,330 residents to one doctor, and the national ratio of 1,310:1, highlighting a shortage of providers in the area. Wayne County residents report an average of 5.4 poor mental health days per month, compared to 5.1 days in Ohio and 4.7 days nationally. Health Commissioner Nicholas V. Cascarelli said population health is more than what happens in a doctor's office. 'We have a really good built environment conducive to healthy lifestyles,' he said. 'But that's not to say we're without our issues.' According to Cascarelli, the county's lower rate of premature deaths has been aided by a decline in overdose fatalities, but obesity remains a concern. Premature death, measured as years of potential life lost before age 75, averages 7,200 years per 100,000 people in Wayne County, compared to 8,500 in Ohio and 7,300 nationwide. 'Adult obesity still continues to contributes to years of life lost,' he said. The adult obesity rate in Wayne County is 35%, compared to 34% in Ohio and 32% nationwide, according to the Roadmaps report. Wayne County, classified as a micropolitan area, has a population of 116,510, with 55.8% of residents living in low-population-density areas. The rural environment plays a role in shaping health outcomes, with access to green spaces, lower pollution levels and community-driven initiatives contributing to positive trends. "We always encourage people to eat right, stay active, and get vaccinated when appropriate. If you need to work on something, don't try to make wholesale changes overnight, incremental improvements are more sustainable.' Cascarelli said. Known as the social determinants of health, the factors include education, employment, income, housing stability and community resources. Wayne County's population also differs demographically from the state average. Below is a comparison: Wayne County Ohio % Below 18 Years of Age 23.8% 21.9% % 65 and Older 19.5% 18.7% % Female 50.0% 50.7% % American Indian or Alaska Native 0.2% 0.3% % Asian 1.1% 2.8% % Hispanic 2.5% 4.8% % Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander 0.1% 0.1% % Non-Hispanic Black 1.6% 12.9% % Non-Hispanic White 93.1% 76.7% % Disability: Functional Limitations 30% 31% % Not Proficient in English 1% 1% Children in Single-Parent Households 11% 26% % Rural 55.8% 23.7% Population 116,510 11,785,935 The Wayne County Health Department has taken steps to improve community well-being, partnering with Wooster and Orrville on projects such as park improvements and a farmers market in Orrville. It also provides immunization services and operates as a hub for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC). Collaborations between Wooster and Orrville have led to programs aimed at improving local parks and launching a new farmers market, expanding access to recreational activities and fresh, healthy foods, the health commissioner said. Cascarelli advised residents to focus on preventative health measures, including staying active, eating a balanced diet and keeping up with vaccinations. 'People need to listen more to their physicians,' he said. 'They're there for your best interest, just as the health department is here for the entire community's well-being.' This article originally appeared on The Daily Record: Population Health Institute study shows Wayne numbers improving
Axios
02-04-2025
- Health
- Axios
Central Ohio counties rank above average for community health
Central Ohio counties have above-average community health conditions compared to the rest of the country and are some of the best in the state, according to 2025 County Health Rankings. Why it matters: Franklin County's above-average health ranking comes from factors like lower rates of preventable hospital stays and significantly higher numbers of primary care physicians. Those factors highlight disparities in health care access when compared to rural counties. How it works: The University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute's annual report tracks various health metrics like insurance rates, mammograms, dentists and air pollution. It also highlights social and economic factors like housing, employment and poverty rates. Zoom in: Franklin and surrounding counties all rank above average, with Delaware and Union counties among the healthiest in the entire country. The latter counties are buoyed by high rates of insurance coverage and very low rates of unemployment and poverty. Zoom out: Southern and Appalachian communities struggle in comparison, with counties like Adams and Vinton among the lowest rankings in the nation. For comparison, Franklin County has a 980:1 ratio of residents to primary care physicians. Vinton County's ratio is 6,350:1. Between the lines: The disparity between rural and urban communities is no surprise to Amy Rohling McGee, president of the Health Policy Institute of Ohio. She tells Axios that access to health care is the most critical factor to health outcomes, but is still a "big challenge" for many communities. "We know that people who live in rural and Appalachian areas of our state have more challenges with access, especially when it comes to mental health, substance use disorder, dental care and even OB-GYN services." Yes, but: Decisions made at the state level can make a major impact on community health, even in counties currently excelling. "We're doing really well in Franklin County on a number of metrics, yet those could be impacted by policy changes currently being considered," McGee says. One example: Gov. Mike DeWine's proposed state budget could roll back Medicaid expansion established by the Affordable Care Act.
Axios
01-04-2025
- Health
- Axios
Mapped: Louisiana health rankings by parish
Most of Louisiana's parishes are more likely to have conditions that lead to poor health, 2025 County Health Rankings show. Why it matters: The rankings take a holistic approach to considering health outcomes from exercise opportunities and students' reading scores to access to broadband internet and affordable housing. The big picture:"Community conditions, such as access to transportation, safe housing, jobs that pay a living wage and well-resourced schools, are known as the social determinants of health," says the report, which is produced annually by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. The research indicates that a general swath of the U.S. that stretches across the South from Southern California into parts of Appalachia is more likely to have the conditions that lead to poorer health outcomes. Zoom in: That includes most of Louisiana, except for the River Parishes, Cameron Parish and Bossier Parish.
Axios
27-03-2025
- Health
- Axios
San Francisco ranks among healthiest counties in California and U.S.
San Francisco is more likely to have community conditions that contribute to better health than other counties, the 2025 County Health Rankings show. Why it matters: Community conditions — also called "social determinants" — range from affordable housing and well-funded schools to accessible broadband and air pollution levels. These factors can vary greatly across the U.S., creating wide disparities in health and life expectancy. How it works: The report, published annually by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, ranks counties by the quality of those factors, along with data on premature deaths, low birthweight, and self-reported mental and physical well-being. Some are directly connected to health, such as the number of doctors in a community or vaccination rates. Others are indirectly tied to physical health, such as social ties, educational opportunities, work commute times, economic well-being, and the environment. What they're saying: "The conditions necessary for healthy, thriving communities don't happen by chance," said Dr. Sheri Johnson, a principal investigator for the project. Zoom in: San Francisco is faring better than the average county in California and in the nation, the findings show. Most Bay Area counties also earned high scores, with Marin County ranking highest in the state. Imperial ranked lowest; many Central Valley counties also fared poorly. The big picture: As a community with one of the healthiest scores, San Francisco has a lower rate of preventable hospital stays, less poverty, and more access to healthy foods than other counties. San Francisco also has a better provider-to-people ratio of primary care doctors, dentists and mental health professionals. By the numbers: From 2019 to 2023, the county reported an 89% high school graduation rate. Some 88% of adults ages 25 to 44 had completed some type of post-secondary education within that same time frame (compared with just 68% of adults nationally). 100% of the population also has adequate exercise opportunities, with access to public parks, according to data from 2019 and 2022. Yes, but: When it comes to housing, nearly a quarter of households (compared with 17% nationally) have experienced either overcrowding, high housing costs, or lack of kitchen or plumbing facilities. Child care costs also remain a huge burden for San Francisco families, with the average household spending 41% of its income on child care for two children in 2023 and 2024 (compared with 28% nationally). Zoom out: Appalachia, the Deep South, Tribal regions and counties along the U.S.-Mexico border were more likely to have community conditions that contribute to poorer health due to a longstanding history of discrimination and disinvestment, the report shows. The bottom line: People in power or policymakers often create and maintain the conditions that have the greatest effect on health outcomes through laws, culture and norms, Johnson said.
