Health study results: Greene Co. next to last in state
According to a recent study, Greene County is next to last in the state regarding health issues.
The study conducted by the University of Wisconsin’s Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, based on health related issues, ranked Greene County 66th out of 67 counties in Pennsylvania. Ranked right above Greene County was Fayette County at 65. Philadelphia County was last.
The study was a result of a collaboration between the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute (UWPHI) and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation that gathered statistical information that was used to rank more than 3,000 counties and the District of Columbia based on the health and life expectancy of their residents.
According to the data, Greene County has three “areas to explore” that could lead to a higher ranking and, in turn, an improved lifestyle. They include adult obesity, preventable hospital stays and children in poverty.
“We strive to provide educational activities and quality health care to our community,” said Joy Eggleston, senior public affairs officer at Southwest Regional Medical Center in Waynesburg.
According to information calculated by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, 28 percent of the county’s residents, 20 years of age and older, have a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or greater, which is considered obese. That compares to the national average of 25 percent and state average of 29 percent.
Several serious health conditions have been connected to obesity, including type 2 diabetes, hypertension, stroke and cancer.
“I think obesity is certainly an issue, and not just in Greene County,” said Eggleston. “Certainly, controlling one’s weight would offer benefits.”
The study also cites preventable hospital stays as an additional area to improve. Information gathered by the Dartmouth Atlas of Health Care using Medicare claims data shows that for every 1,000 people in
Greene County enrolled in Medicare, 120 are discharged from the hospital for medical conditions that can be addressed through primary care and managed on an out-patient basis — a type of care called ambulatory care-sensitive conditions.
The national average of preventable hospital stays is 49 percent, while the state average is 19 percent.
While the study gathered statistics from various sources throughout the nation, Eggleston said people need to look at the culture and the environment of the county when determining what factors develop the health of the county’s population.
“I think there is an industrial focus that factors in. We are a large coal mining industry and that would factor in conditions that have to deal with health. Anyone that goes down into the coal mine comes out with black dust all over them,” she said.
“Day in and day out that can affect your health. The foods that one would pack would be foods higher in fat and are processed. I think you have to look at that.”
Children living in poverty is another red flag that was identified by the study as negatively affecting the health of Greene County.
According to information collected through the U.S. Census, 25 percent of children younger than the age of 18 are living below the federal poverty line.
“We are a rural community, and we do see children in conditions that would be determined as poverty according to those guidelines. They kind of go hand-in-hand.
“If you are living in poverty, chances are you are not able to afford foods that are healthier like fresh fruits and produce,” said Eggleston.
“It seems like it is much easier to consume foods that are higher in fats and processed. They are typically less expensive.”
While there are several areas to consider, Karen Odegaard, community engagement specialist with the University of Wisconsin’s Population Health Institute, urges people to work together for the betterment of the community.
“We put together the rankings and the data. It is the people of your community who should decide where to focus,” she said. “Your community should come together to find the strengths of the community and understand where you want to go. It is important to assure children have a healthy lifestyle and healthy foods. Everyone has the ability to make choices about food, medical care and being proactive about their health rather than reactive.”
For more information about Greene County’s ranking, visit online at www.countyhealthrankings.org.