As I spoke with Isa Perry, MPH, CHES of the Davis County
Health Department, I learned of health trends in my own hometown that I had
expected, but I also heard of trends that surprised me. I expected the obesity
rate to be a concern and I wasn’t at all shocked by the poor air quality, but I
was surprised to learn of the extremely high chlamydia rates, suicide rates and
Hepatitis C rates.
The
trend of obesity in Davis County doesn’t surprise me. At about 25% of the adult
population, the obesity rate in Davis County is consistent with national
averages. While it is comforting to know we aren’t dramatically worse than the
nation as a whole, 25% is still an alarming portion of the county. Like health
officials across the country, experts in Davis County are looking for the right
combination to lower the obesity rates. Because there are so many factors that
contribute to obesity, it may take a lot of trial and error before a difference
is seen.
Ms.
Perry told me that in a survey conducted in the county, residents were asked
about the health concerns that matter to them most. Poor air quality came out
on top as one of the most concerning factors to the people of Davis County.
Inversions are common in the valleys every winter, so it is a consistent
problem. The heavy traffic of I-15 and Legacy, in addition to many other main
roads, constantly adds pollution to the air. Although poor air quality isn’t
actually the biggest health problem in Davis County, it is probably at the
front of residents’ minds because they get a visual reminder of it every time
they go outside. It is also addressed daily on the news when they give the “green,
yellow or red” air quality report. Because of the constant reminders and the
visibility of the problem, it is easy to see why poor air quality scored high
on the health survey.
I had
no idea that chlamydia was such a problem in Davis County! There was a 17%
increase in cases from 2011 to 2012. Last year there were 862 cases of
chlamydia reported in Davis County alone. Having gone through health education
in the Davis County School District, I know that they teach a strict
abstinence-only curriculum. I definitely think this could be a potential
contributor to the chlamydia problem, and it is worth looking into. Obviously
the idea of abstinence hasn’t resonated with everyone in Davis County, and many
of those that choose to have sex probably haven’t been educated on how to do it
more safely.
Hepatitis
C came in at number 2 after chlamydia on the top reported diseases list. Health
professionals have determined that the main method of Hep C infection in Davis
County last year was sharing dirty needles. There is a particularly high
infection rate in Davis County jails, at about 8% of the jail population. Davis
County got a grant last year to test inmates for HCV, and they found that many
of those infected were unaware. Thanks to the grant, Davis County was able to
provide each infected inmate with one-on-one counseling. Follow-up testing will
show if this is an effective procedure.
Suicide
rates in Davis County, Utah are higher than the state average and much higher
than the national average. Ms. Perry offered the explanation that a lack of
mental health care services may be contributing to this problem. This isn’t
scientific, but it seems to me that the Mormon culture of Davis County affects
the view on mental health. I think as a culture, we don’t readily recognize
mental health issues as legitimate, which makes it harder for people to seek
help. Hopefully both increased mental health services and increased public
education can make a difference in Davis County and lower the high suicide
rates.
No comments:
Post a Comment