Sarah McCarrey
Community Health Trends
Whatcom County, WA
Greg Stern, MD: Health Officer
Community Health Trends
Whatcom County, WA
Greg Stern, MD: Health Officer
Indoor/Outdoor
Air Pollution:
In Washington State, there are about 2.5 million tons of pollutants and gasses released in the air every year. Most of the contributing factors come from motor vehicles, industrial emissions, outdoor burning, and residential wood smoke. When it comes to the pollution in and outdoors, indoor air pollution is more harmful. This is because of improper ventilation and heating in homes. Many more cases of chronic diseases are being reported because of the poor air quality. These top two diseases reported are asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It’s important for the county to try and reduce pollution and the discomfort associated with the pollution.
In Washington State, there are about 2.5 million tons of pollutants and gasses released in the air every year. Most of the contributing factors come from motor vehicles, industrial emissions, outdoor burning, and residential wood smoke. When it comes to the pollution in and outdoors, indoor air pollution is more harmful. This is because of improper ventilation and heating in homes. Many more cases of chronic diseases are being reported because of the poor air quality. These top two diseases reported are asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It’s important for the county to try and reduce pollution and the discomfort associated with the pollution.
Prenatal
Care:
Based on several research studies done in Whatcom County, people have discovered that there are many people who are not getting the proper prenatal care needed to deliver a healthy baby. The data suggests that single mothers as well as pregnant teens are more likely to deliver unhealthy children and have a greater risk of their child dying before the age of one. Living conditions and social status also play a huge and vital role in the birth and life of a child. One way that the county is trying to decrease infant mortality rates is by providing programs for mothers that raise awareness and help mothers avoid drugs and alcohol. Nutrition classes are also being offered for mothers. It is the hope of the county that females will be properly educated and get the prenatal care needed deliver a healthy baby.
Based on several research studies done in Whatcom County, people have discovered that there are many people who are not getting the proper prenatal care needed to deliver a healthy baby. The data suggests that single mothers as well as pregnant teens are more likely to deliver unhealthy children and have a greater risk of their child dying before the age of one. Living conditions and social status also play a huge and vital role in the birth and life of a child. One way that the county is trying to decrease infant mortality rates is by providing programs for mothers that raise awareness and help mothers avoid drugs and alcohol. Nutrition classes are also being offered for mothers. It is the hope of the county that females will be properly educated and get the prenatal care needed deliver a healthy baby.
STDs:
According to Greg, the number of STDs in Whatcom County is a hidden “epidemic.” The most concerning STDs causing concern are chlamydia, genital herpes, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS, syphilis, and HPV. It is the hope of health officials that prevention and decreases in these diseases will come from sex education in schools, making screening and treatment more readily available for high risk populations, as well as encouraging more responsible sexual behavior. One of the problems associated with the rise of STDs is that there is a lack of funding for services that help with treatment and screening. The target age groups for education in the county are those age 15-24. The goal is that STD rates will begin to decrease as funding increases and more programs are implemented.
According to Greg, the number of STDs in Whatcom County is a hidden “epidemic.” The most concerning STDs causing concern are chlamydia, genital herpes, gonorrhea, hepatitis B, HIV/AIDS, syphilis, and HPV. It is the hope of health officials that prevention and decreases in these diseases will come from sex education in schools, making screening and treatment more readily available for high risk populations, as well as encouraging more responsible sexual behavior. One of the problems associated with the rise of STDs is that there is a lack of funding for services that help with treatment and screening. The target age groups for education in the county are those age 15-24. The goal is that STD rates will begin to decrease as funding increases and more programs are implemented.
Diabetes:
Diabetes has been increasing among people in Whatcom County for the past few years. Rates are most prevalent among lower income residents whose annual income is equal to or less than $20,000. This is due to lack of money available for nutritious and wholesome foods. As a result, obesity is increasing, which has led to increase in diabetes. It’s also evident that certain racial groups have higher rates of diabetes. The two leading groups are Hispanic populations and Native Americans. It is the hope of the county to make healthier foods more readily available and affordable as well as to decrease food insecurity.
Diabetes has been increasing among people in Whatcom County for the past few years. Rates are most prevalent among lower income residents whose annual income is equal to or less than $20,000. This is due to lack of money available for nutritious and wholesome foods. As a result, obesity is increasing, which has led to increase in diabetes. It’s also evident that certain racial groups have higher rates of diabetes. The two leading groups are Hispanic populations and Native Americans. It is the hope of the county to make healthier foods more readily available and affordable as well as to decrease food insecurity.
Healthier
Homes and Communities
The goal for creating healthier homes and communities is that there will be greater access to exercise and land for food growth. The county wants to make it possible for people to live more easily without a car. This means creating more bike and walking trails. This will hopefully lead to an influx in exercise and a decrease in obesity and diabetes. Whatcom County is also hoping to create more land for growth of food and affordable quality homes. They want people spending less many on mortgages payments and more on living healthier and safer lives.
The goal for creating healthier homes and communities is that there will be greater access to exercise and land for food growth. The county wants to make it possible for people to live more easily without a car. This means creating more bike and walking trails. This will hopefully lead to an influx in exercise and a decrease in obesity and diabetes. Whatcom County is also hoping to create more land for growth of food and affordable quality homes. They want people spending less many on mortgages payments and more on living healthier and safer lives.
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