Middleboro Community Health Profile

Presentation by Erin Lenhardt, Daniel Lynn, Veronica Locke, Jessica Jacobs, and Karen Jose

“Good health is the bedrock on which social progress is built. A

nation of healthy people can do those things that make life

worth-while, and as the level of health increases so does the

potential for happiness.”- Lalonde Report, 1974

Health Indicators:A Window to the Community’s Well-Being

Quantitative measures that are pieces of health care puzzle that answers:◦ How healthy is the community?◦ Is the community in balance?◦ What factors affect health in the community?◦ Are the programs, services, and policies effective?◦ If not, which areas are in need of improvement?◦ Is the community proceeding towards or away

from its ideal of health?

Health Indicators:A Window to the Community’s Well-Being

Stable population, rising slightly

Demographics

Demographics continued

Demographics continued

Six health-related indicators:1. Obesity & Unhealthy Eating Habits2. Tobacco Usage3. Substance Abuse4. Mental Health5. Injury/Unintentional Accidents6. Health Care Access

Health Risk Factors & Outcomes

Excessive body fat, high BMI◦ Diabetes, heart disease, cerebrovascular disease (stroke)◦ 44% of total mortality

Obesity

Several tobacco-related diseases◦ Chronic lower respiratory disease, malignant neoplasms

(cancer), cerebrovascular disease (stroke)◦ 33% of total mortality in county

Tobacco Usage

Excessive tobacco, alcohol, & drug usage 2% of total deaths in county

Substance Abuse

All accidents, including those attributed to substance abuse Accidents account for 6% of mortality in county

◦ Predominately affects 15-24 age group: 26%

Injury & Accidents

15-44 age group: 46% of suicides Affects +75 population: 95%

Mental Health

Lower rates of infant, neonatal deaths Better access to maternal care in Hillsboro County

Health Care Access

Health insurance Health care resource allocation Positive signs

Key Middleboro characteristics:◦ Economically stagnant◦ High unemployment ◦ Rising health care costs◦ All contributing to escalating uninsured

Access to Health Care & Economics

Rising levels of uninsured Decreased employer-based insurance – increasing commercial Implications: less necessary care provided, or none provided at all

Health Insurance Coverage

Shifting trends – declining hospital inpatient care utilization◦ Implications:

Suggests some health care costs too high - no insurance or underinsured Suggests medically underserved population - foregoing necessary treatment? Less spent on health care – various economic consequences

Health Care Utilization

Recent legislation: cannot exclude due to pre-existing medical conditions◦ Will expand access to insurance coverage

Bill under consideration: small business reform and health insurance purchasing pools◦ More affordable health insurance

Managed care penetration◦ Fee-for-service decreasing

Prescription drug coverage expanding◦ More comprehensive, affordable care

Positive Signs for Access to Care

Comparative Analysis

Middleboro Quality of Life

Health Indicators:A Window to the Community’s Well-Being

Accurate framing of community’s issues

Provides sound solutions

Window to Middleboro’s values and vision

Any Questions?