Benjamin Sirrine

11/13/2012

Public Health 100

Stephanie Fugal

Spoke with: Jamie Opsal

Administrator, St. Louis County Health Department

In St. Louis County, Missouri there are several pressing issues facing health officials. Through a collective effort, experts are seeking not only to address these dilemmas, but educate the community as a whole to ensure a collaborative effort community wide that will hopefully significantly reduce these risks that face St. Louis citizens. Among the most concerning trends are Health Disparities, Cardiovascular Disease, Behavioral Risks, Mental Health and Diabetes/Obesity.

Health Disparities

                As one of the 40^th largest counties in the U.S., St. Louis County presents a certain predicament in the form of socioeconomic disparity. Essentially, the county has been divided into four sectors, properly named East, West, North and South County, which collectively comprise St. Louis County. Diversity is common in large cities and St. Louis is no exception. For example, West County is an affluent area, where many of the residents have college degrees and pertain to the upper and middle class. North and South County on the other hand are home to many people of the lower class, as well as a larger population of minorities. Studies have proven that health disparities are very closely linked to education and wealth. There is no doubt that in St. Louis County this is the case, where North and South counties statistically are less healthy (higher mortality rates, lower life expectancy) than the residents of West County. Health Officials are seeking to eliminate these health disparities and ensure that the county as a whole is elevated to an acceptable status of health.

Cardiovascular Disease

                Being the number one killer in the country, it comes as no surprise that cardiovascular disease is among the major concerns for St. Louis County health officials. Furthermore, being one the heavier states, regarding weight, over 27% of deaths a year in Missouri are attributed to heart complications. The health department is seeking to raise awareness of the issue as well as implement diet/exercise programs that will reduce the risks of heart disease. Even more concerning is the fact that the county faces a higher average than the state as whole. Perhaps, due to more advanced medical facilities, the mortality rate is lower than the state, but nevertheless officials are preoccupied with reducing the incidence and improving the collective cardiovascular health of St. Louis citizens.

Behavioral Risks

                As was previously discussed, socioeconomic status plays heavily into the health of person, this detail is particularly evident with regards to behavioral risks—meaning habitual factors such as smoking and alcoholism. These risks seem to be prevalent in the county amongst those with lower income/less education. St. Louis County has sought to curb these problems by raising awareness of the adverse effects of smoking and drinking, which can cause lung and liver cancer, respectively. With time, more and more public places are prohibiting smoking, diminishing opportunities for many smokers and greatly reducing the risk of second hand smoke. County health officials have recognized both the addictive and deconstructive nature of these behaviors and are currently assessing which plan of action to take to eliminate these risks from the community.

 Mental Health

As awareness increases, along with the nation, St. Louis is witnessing a higher incidence of mental issues. Fortunately, hospital admittance rates for severe depression and anxiety are still below the state average, but there is one particular mental health concern that seems to be an outlier, with a rate much higher than that of the collective state—schizophrenia. With a rate nearly 30% percent higher, there is alarm amongst health officials who are persistent in addressing the issues. The current consensus is that an improved plan to both assess and treat schizophrenia as well as other mental health issues needs to be implemented to ensure the best possible mental health for St. Louis County residents.

Diabetes/Obesity

                St. Louis County is not the exception when it comes to the plaguing increase in diabetes/obesity incidence throughout the country. As was previously mentioned, Missouri is among one of the heaviest states in the country. As studies have shown, there is a stark correlation between weight and occurrence of diabetes. Even more alarming is the fact that prevalence seems to be higher in St Louis County than the state as a whole, with higher hospital admittance rates as well as incidence in adults 18 years and older. As a department, officials are continually seeking ways to better inform residents about the risks of these diseases as well as prevent their occurrence. Furthermore, they are working with private healthcare providers to ensure the possible care for patients.

                While issues of health always tend to be concerning, the St. Louis County Health Department has been and will continue to be vigilant in prevention of disease and the promotion of health for all the residents of St. Louis.