Sarah Cunningham

I grew up in a small town in northern California called Weaverville, but I decided to learn about the health trends in Shasta County, which is very close to where I grew up but has a larger population. I had the opportunity to talk with Stephanie Taylor who is the Epidemiologist for the Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency in North Eastern California. As I spoke with her about the trends in infectious diseases that are affecting Shasta County, she really could only think of one, so she sent me a couple of links to kind of research more about the area and different health trends occurring.

The one health trend that she mentioned was an increase in the number of reported Gonorrhea cases. Gonorrhea is a Sexually Transmitted Disease and is associated with unsafe sexual activity. In 2011 there were 44 reported cases, but as of December 31, 172 gonorrhea cases have been reported in Shasta County during 2012. This is a 400% increase and is definitely a focus of the Public Health Department in Shasta County as they try to educate the public about the disease itself and how to prevent it. They are also encouraging for people to be tested so that this rapid spread decreases.

Marijuana usage, especially among teenagers, in Shasta County is another trend that is occurring and is a concern. One of the main causes for this increase is the fact that people can legally grow marijuana for medicinal purposes in California if they obtain permission, but this has led to more and more people illegally growing and selling it. Because of this, teenagers have greater access to it. Research has shown that during the 2008-09 school year, about 1 in 5 ninth-graders (18%) in Shasta County reported having used marijuana at least once during the past 30 days. This statistic may be from a few years ago, but it is still an ongoing trend that is affecting the health of teenagers in Shasta County.

In Shasta County, pneumonia and influenza are the largest communicable disease category causing hospitalization and death. To help prevent this, “the Shasta County Health Officer will issue an order, effective November 1, 2013, under the authority of the California Health and Safety code, that requires 1) all healthcare providers (HCP) should receive influenza vaccine annually; 2) all HCP who do not receive flu vaccine must wear a mask for the duration of the influenza season or be assigned to non-patient care while working in their facility” (“Provider News”). Since there is a trend in infections from influenza, the Shasta County Health Officer is taking action and trying to prevent the spread of this disease among health care providers.

Another trend that has been occurring for a couple years now is unemployment. The percent of the population age 16+ that is unemployed but seeking for work is 14.7% in Shasta County. This is a public health issue because overall, people that are unemployed experience worse health and have higher mortality rates that those that are employed. Generally, people that are unemployed have been shown to participate more in unhealthy behaviors such as alcohol and tobacco consumption and unhealthy diet and exercise. People that are unemployed are also less likely to have health insurance coverage and so have limited access to health care.

Adult obesity is another major concern in Shasta County. The percent of adults that report a BMI greater than or equal to 30 is 28%. “Obesity is often the result of an overall energy imbalance due to poor diet and limited physical activity. Obesity increases the risk for health conditions such as coronary heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, hypertension, dyslipidemia, stroke, liver and gallbladder disease, sleep apnea and respiratory problems” (“Adult obesity”). If adults and parents are overweight, then it is much more likely for their children to develop unhealthy habits and be overweight as well.

Sources:

Stephanie Taylor 530-229-8488

"Reported Gonorrhea Cases Increase by 400% in Shasta County." Provider News A. (2013): 3. Web. 27 Mar. 2013. <http://www.co.shasta.ca.us/HHSA/Professionals/Winter2013.sflb.ash&xgt;.

"Marijuana usage and associated outcomes among Shasta County residents." Shasta County Health and Human Services Agency. (2013): 7. Web. 27 Mar. 2013 <http://www.thinkagainshasta.info/images/Marijuana_report_card_FINAL_July_2012-

"Influenza Vaccination of Healthcare Personnel in Shasta County—mandate begins this fall." Provider News. (2013): n. page. Web. 27 Mar. 2013. <http://www.co.shasta.ca.us/HHSA/Professionals/Winter2013.sflb.ash&xgt;

"Unemployment." County Health Rankings & Roadmaps. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, n.d. Web. 27 Mar 2013. <http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/app/california/2013/measure/factors/23/description>.

"Adult obesity." County Health Rankings & Roadmaps. Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, n.d. Web. 27 Mar 2013. <http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/app/california/2013/measure/factors/11/description>.