Walla Walla County Health Trends (Sydney Christensen)

 I was not able to reach Harvey Crowder of the Walla Walla County Public Health Department, but I was able to study the statistical reports for the county from 2010 and 2011.

             The first main public health trend in Walla Walla County is the decreasing percentage of obese adults. The percentage of adult obesity exceeds the standards set forth by the Healthy People 2020 campaign, as well as the percentage for the state of Washington. Some community efforts to decrease obesity were carried out through multi-component interventions such as: nutrition education, training in behavioral techniques, providing self-help materials, and group or supervised exercise sessions.  Due to the large number of health complications that are associated with obesity, this has been one of the main focuses for the Walla Walla County Health Department.

             Another public health trend is the percentage of the adult population who participate in regular physical activity.  Walla Walla County along with Washington State has exceeded the Healthy People 2020 standard by more than 20% consistently in the last 10 years.  Community efforts to increase the amount of exercise in adults included workplace incentives for physical activity (such as reimbursements for gym memberships) and a community-wide campaign. This campaign focused on multi-component strategies (social support, risk factor screening or health education) and addressed cardiovascular disease risk factors.

             Along with adult obesity and exercise, a prominent trend for Walla Walla County is the decreasing percentage of adults with type 2 diabetes. However, the county is still falling short of the Healthy People 2020 standards. This trend is in line with the trend of Washington State as a whole. The health department is trying to decrease this percent by educating the community about the seriousness of diabetes and it’s effects on the body. Public Health representatives are also attempting to expand case management to plan, coordinate and provide healthcare for all people with diabetes.

           The fourth trend concerns the amount of fruits and vegetables consumed by the adult population. Walla Walla County is significantly short of the Healthy People 2020 standard, but one of the interesting aspects of this trend is that 15% less people are meeting the daily fruit and vegetable intake than were in 2007. Some factors of this may include the cost of fresh fruits and vegetables or the availability of these foods. The Health Department is intervening by offering healthy and affordable food preparation classes and by increasing the amount of healthy vending machine options while decreasing the price.

            The final health trend of Walla Walla County has to do with adult poor mental health. For the past 8 years Walla Walla County and Washington State have met the Healthy People 2020 standards. One way the percentage of adults with poor mental health was decreased was by a one tenth of one percent tax raise to use for chemical dependency or mental health services. The Health Department also involved the community by making a multicomponent healthcare system-level intervention that uses case managers to link primary care providers, patients, and mental health specialists.