Originally, I was going to talk to someone from the Las Vegas Health Department, but unfortunately, no one there was of any assistance. Don't get me wrong, I love Vegas, but after living there for 13 years, I've learned that Las Vegans aren't always the brightest bunch. Instead, I contacted Kim, who works in the Center for Health Data at the Utah Department of Health. She was able to give me a few of the major health-related issues that Utah is currently facing, and even directed me to a helpful website ibis.health.utah.gov.
1. Utah has poor air quality. This is no surprise. Several weeks ago, when the sun first started to come out and dry up the snow, smog filled the valley. Because it was so thick, Utah residents were advised to stay indoors, where the air was cleaner and safer. Some areas of Utah are busier and more congested than others (ie. Salt Lake City), thus producing more smog emissions and causing the ozone pollution to increase. This pollution can become very dangerous if not monitored. Sensitive populations are especially at risk for developing respiratory health problems from exposure to such pollution. Though city emissions may vary from year to year, Utah as been over the the national air quality standard for at least a decade.
2. Pertussis rates in adolescents and adults is on the rise. Pertussis is a contagious respiratory disease that is most commonly contracted by infants. It can be deadly if left untreated, as it may result in inflammation of the brain. Though the Tdap vaccine has greatly helped to reduce Pertussis cases, as of 2009, Utah cases have been rising, especially in adolescents and adults. Recent research indicates that Pertussis immunity provided by the vaccine lasts only about two years, which is much shorter than predicted. This is a major area of concern because infants and young children are especially vulnerable to contracting the disease through their interactions with their caretakers. Public health organizations have set out to promote this issue through commercials and billboards, and many of these campaigns can be seen while driving along I-15.
3. Obesity in Utah is on the rise. Utah has rapidly been gaining weight over the past several years. Just to give you a better idea of how serious this issue is becoming, in 2010, nearly 2/3rds of the adult population was reportedly overweight or obese. This is a huge issue because being overweight or obese can lead to many other health problems, including type II diabetes, stroke, and heart disease. Developing any one of these diseases further increases one's risk of death. In fact, diabetes alone is the sixth cause of death in Utah (see http://ibis.health.utah.gov/indicator).
4. Compared to the rest of the country, Utah has one of the highest suicide rates. As of 2011, the highest suicide rates were seen within the age groups of 18-24 and 85+. Males reportedly had higher rates than females, and for both genders, suicide was the leading cause of death in 2011. I do not have a definite answer as to why suicide rates are so high here, but I do have a few guesses. For one, I think that many people become extremely overwhelmed by the "Mormon Culture" that surrounds the state. This is definitely not the only reason, and I'm sure work, income, and several other factors play a great role in the issue. This is just my own personal thought.
5. Seat belt use is on the rise. In a recent survey, researchers estimated that in urban areas, over 80% of the population uses seat belts regularly. In rural ares of Utah, this estimate was just over 60%. This is great news! In general, the Utah population recognizes the need for safety constraints and abides by the law. This in turn results in fewer car accident injuries and deaths.
No comments:
Post a Comment