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Home My WebLink AboutWC Health Advisory 01.20.2022Community Health Needs Assessment FY2022 Conclusions and Focus Areas Allen L. Twigg, LCPC, FACHE 01/20/2022 2021 County Health Rankings Community Health Rankings MARYLAND 2012vs. 2021 Rank Health Outcomes Rank Health Factors 2012 2021 2012 2021 1 Howard Montgomery 1 Howard Howard 2 Montgomery Howard 2 Montgomery Montgomery 3 Queen Anne's Frederick 3 Frederick Frederick 4 Frederick Carroll 4 Talbot Calvert 5 Carroll Calvert 5 Carroll Harford 6 Calvert Queen Anne's 6 Calvert Carroll 7 St Mary's Anne Arundel 7 Anne Arrundel Anne Arundel 8 Talbot St. Mary's 8 Harford Talbot 9 Harford Talbot 9 Queen Anne's Queen Anne's 10 Anne Arrundel Harford 10 Baltimore Baltimore 11 Charles Worcester 11 Charles Kent 12 Washington Charles 12 St Mary's Charles 13 Baltimore Prince George's 13 Kent St. Mary's 14 Worcester Kent 14 Garrett Garrett 15 Prince George's Garrett 15 Worcester Cecil 16 Garrett Baltimore 16 Washington Prince George's 17 Kent Caroline 17 Prince George's Worcester 18 Cecil Washington -6 18 Allegany Washington -2 19 Wicomico Wicomico 19 Wicomico Allegany 20 Caroline Cecil 20 Cecil Wicomico 21 Somerset Allegany 21 Caroline Caroline 22 Dorchester Somerset 22 Dorchester Dorchester 23 Allegany Dorchester 23 Somerset Baltimore City 24 Baltimore City Baltimore City 24 Baltimore City Somerset OBJECTIVE FINDINGS Health needs and priorities are largely unchanged from the FY2019 CHNA findings The leading causes of death heart disease 22% and cancer 19% The most frequent health concerns reported include behavioral health issues, being overweight, having type II diabetes,high blood pressure, cancer, asthma, addiction, allergies, arthritis, back pain, high cholesterol and heart disease Community informants view the health status as “unhealthy” 57%,“average” or similar to most other communities 29%,“healthy” 10% The primary barriers to accessing health care include the cost of care, and inability to see a provider when needed More than 68%of the adult population is overweight or obese (BMI > 25) There was no change in the percentage of persons who maintained a healthy weight over the past three years, 31.5%(BMI < 25) The report of high blood pressure 32.7% is similar to the state and national averages There is a clear correlation between health, wellness and the rate of poverty which is higher in Washington County (12.2%)than is found in the state of Maryland (9.2%) Transportation to outpatient medical services is a barrier for patients who do not have independent transport IMPROVEMENT Improving Washington County trends include fewer uninsured persons, increased supply of dentists, and lower rates of air pollution The majority of Washington County residents have health insurance 93%; approximately 7% of adults are not insured The mortality rate for heart disease and cancer both decreased 2%since last measurement period in 2018 Diabetes mortality rate is decreasing Alcohol binge drinking rates of 16% are lower than the state average Drunk driving fatalities are trending down and are better than the state and HP targets Fewer opioid prescriptions are being prescribed by providers ED visits for behavioral health crisis declined Mammography screening trend is improving Lung and colon cancers are being diagnosed at earlier stages The survival rate for colon, and head and neck cancers are improving WRONG DIRECTION Life expectancy has declined over ten years in Washington County, largely attributed to overdose fatalities and an increased rate of suicide Washington County slipped to 18th out of 24 Maryland counties in the County Health Rankings Cautious trends include increases in: physical inactivity,preventable hospital stays, unemployment, and crime Concerning trends include premature death rate, increased adult obesity rates, a lack of available primary care physicians,and more children living in poverty Overweight adults (BMI > 25)increased by 3.3%since last CHNA Adults who are physically inactive increased 2%since last CHNA While diabetes prevalence at 10.3% is similar to the rest of the state, Washington County has the second highest rate of diabetes mortality, 32 Given the higher than average rates for physical inactivity, and being overweight and obese in our community,residents are at higher risk for pre-diabetes and developing diabetes in the future WRONG DIRECTION Washington County is an outlier for 9-1-1 calls for behavioral health resulting in more Emergency Department visits for mental health and crisis assessment than the state of Maryland average The rate of suicide at 14.7 per 100,000 lives has increased in Washington County while the state average has slightly decreased over the past six years There is a steady increase of drug overdose fatalities over the past ten years, at a rate that is higher than the state of Maryland average The trend of drug overdose deaths has increased significantly since 2014 and are primarily attributed to fentanyl HEALTH DISPARITIES Black or African Americans have a higher rate of Emergency Department visits for poorly managed health issues including diabetes and hypertension Black or African Americans have a higher age-adjusted death rate of 45.9 for lung cancer compared to Whites, 42.3 The colorectalcancer rate for Black or African Americans is 50.9, more than 25% higher compared to Whites at 37.8 The prostate cancer incidence rate among Black or African American men in Washington County is 194.4,more than double the rate of White men 94.8 HEALTH SERVICE GAPS Over-weight and obesity is a primary health concern and people desire information regarding diet, nutrition, weight loss, and help making healthy lifestyle changes Diabetes mortality rate is one of the highest in the state Nearly 50% of the adult population is “at-risk” for diabetes There is a shortage of primary care and specialty providers available in Washington County There are no mental health crisis beds in the county There are delays stretching an average of more than three weeks for a new patient to be seen by a psychiatrist There is a delay to timely access for substance abuse treatment when a person desires help; specifically the lack of detoxification or crisis services or ability to be admitted for inpatient/residential treatment levels of care There are significant health disparities with Black or African Americans #1 Mental health #2 Obesity / weight loss #3 Addiction #4 Diabetes #5 Heart disease and hypertension #6 Health Equity HEALTH PRIORITIES Get involved! allen.twigg@meritushealth.com 301-790-8263