INTERESTING HEALTH FACTS

2010 Health Facts

September 2010

seasonal Influenza (facts obtained from Centers for disease control and prevention, cdc)

• Influenza (the flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. It can result in mild to severe illnesses, or even death.
• Most experts believe that flu viruses spread mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze or talk. These droplets can land in the mouths or noses of people who are nearby.
• It is estimated that the 2009 H1N1 pandemic resulted in more than 12,000 flu-related deaths in the U.S. In contrast to seasonal flu, nearly 90 percent of the deaths occurred among people younger than 65 years of age.
• There are 2 types of flu vaccinations: the flu shot or the nasal spray flu vaccine.
• While vaccinations should begin as early as September, flu activity peaks in January or later. The timing and the duration of the flu season varies.

August 2010

Breast health (from OCHNA survey 2004)

• Approx. a quarter of women who had never been shown how to perform a breast self-exam identified themselves as ethnically Asian (Vietnamese, other Asian, or Pacific Islander).
• Of those who had never been shown how to perform a breast self-exam, 46.5% had a high school level education or less.
• 40.2% of those who had never been shown to perform a breast self-exam were ages 45 and above. Women from this age group have a much higher risk of developing breast cancer than younger women.
• Almost 95% of women who had performed a self-breast exam had done so within the past year. This suggests that many women who do perform BSEs, do so on at least an annual basis.

July 2010

Facts on HIV/AIDS by the world health organization (who)

1. HIV (human immunodeficiency virus) infects cells of the immune system and destroys or impairs their function. Infection results in the progressive deterioration of the immune system, breaking down the body's ability to fend off infections and diseases.
2. AIDS (Acquired immune deficiency syndrome) refers to the most advanced stages of HIV infection, defined by the occurrence of any or more than 20 opportunistic infections or related cancers.
3. 33.4 million people live with HIV/AIDS worldwide, the vast majority of whom are in low and middle income countries
4. HIV/AIDS is the world's leading infectious killer claiming to date more than 27 million lives. An estimated 2 million people die every year from HIV/AIDS.

June 2010

Emergency Room Usage by Orange County Residents in 2007

• 14.9% (348,465 pop. est.) of OC adults surveyed reported that they went to the ER at least once in the past 12 months.
• Of the 14.9% who went to the ER at least once in the past 12 months: 58.3% were White, 27.8% were Hispanic/Latino, 4.1% were other Asian/Pacific Islander, 3.9% were Vietnamese, and 1.9% were Black.
• Males and Females are equally likely to have reported going to the ER (49% to 51% respectively), but females were nearly twice (61%) as likely to have gone more than once than men (38%).
• Adults over 65 years old (27.2%) were the most likely to have reported going to the ER, while adults 18-24 years of age (5.7%) are the least likely.
• Nearly a quarter (22.4%) of the 15% that went to the ER reported an High School level education or less.

May 2010

Mental Health Month

• In Orange County, 6.8% (158,971) of adults reported that they were diagnosed with emotional, mental, or behavioral health disorders by a doctor or other health care provider.
• Of those 6.8% of Orange County adults, 49.4% were diagnosed with depression (major and chronic), 16.5% were diagnosed with anxiety disorders, 6.7% were diagnosed with bipolar disorder, and 2.5% were diagnosed with schizophrenia.
• In Orange County, 26.3% (69,560) of adults who were told by a doctor that they had a disorder or that they should seek professional mental health did not receive treatment or counseling.
• In Orange County, females were one and a half times more likely to be told by a doctor that they had a mental health problem.

April 2010

The Vietnamese Community in Orange County

• Although Vietnamese comprised only 5.3% of the total Orange County population as of 2008, they are the largest Vietnamese community in the United States.
• 15% (19,508) of Vietnamese adults in Orange County report no health care coverage.
• Only 8.3% of Vietnamese adults 18 and older reported their health as excellent in the 2007 OCHNA survey.
• 29.9% (38,517) of Vietnamese adults stated they did have an ongoing or serious health condition requiring care.
• 94% (94.2%) of Vietnamese children have health care coverage.
• Almost half (48.2%) of Vietnamese children's health care coverage is through government plans, such as Medi-Cal and Health Families.
• 22.0% of Vietnamese children (ages 3 to 17), were most likely to be classified as obese.

March 2010

Physical Activity in Older Adults

According to the CDC, engaging in regular daily physical activity is very beneficial for older adults. Some of the benefits inlcude:

• A reduction in falls
• Lower risk of developing coronary heart disease, high blood pressure, colon cancer, or diabetes
• Increased physical strength and stamina
• Reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression
• Helps to maintain healthy bones, muscles and joints

Results from the 2007 OCHNA survey indicate that nearly 3 of every 10 older adults (27.7% or 106,792) in Orange County did not participate in any physical activities, such as walking, running, gardening, or golf, in the past 30 days.

Of the 72.3% who did participate in physical activities:

• Almost two-thirds of older adults (65.4% or 177,899) were physically active less than seven times in the past 30 days. Only slightly over a quarter (28.4% or 77,375) of older adults participated in a physical activity 12 or more times in the past 30 days.
• More males (78.9% or 142,586) than females (66.5% or 136,141) participated in physical activity in the past 30 days.
• Older adults in the age categories 65 to 74, 75 to 84, and 85 or over participated in physical activities at generally equal rates. There were no significant differences found between these groups.

February 2010

February is AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month and aimed at educating the public about preventing blindness and advancing vision care. It is often a myth that people can't do much about preventing sight loss, however regular eye exams and the proper use of safety eyewear can help prevent vision-related illnesses and damage.

• 716,562 O.C. Adults are estimated to lack vision coverage
• 3 of every 10 (31.3% or an estimated 716,562) of adult respondents did not have vision care coverage and another 2.1% (50,187) did not know if they had vision coverage.
• 10.0% of the adult population nationwide have experienced trouble seeing, even with glasses and contact lenses (Centers for Disease Control) .
• Women are more likely to experience vision trouble than men (Centers for Disease Control).
• 44.7% (272,688) of those without vision coverage had annual household incomes under $50,000 a year.

January 2010

There are a variety of factors, besides diet and exercize, that can influence why some people are more prone to obesity than others. For example, genetic background, environment, and socioeconomic status all contribute to the likelihood of obesity. However, none of these directly cause obesity. Obesity is directly caused by the combination of two lifestyle factors: poor nutrition and lack of physical activity. Many adults and children in Orange County are falling short of health experts' recommendations in these two crucial areas.

“Childhood” Obesity in Orange County

• 30% of OC children are estimated to be at risk for becoming overweight, or currently, overweight
• 57.1% (48,217) of OC children that are at risk, or currently, overweight are Hispanic/Latino
• 10.1% (25,130) of all OC teens, between 12 and 17 years of age, are estimated to be overweight

Contributing factors

• 36.0% (19,386) of overweight children spent 3 or more hours per weekday watching TV or playing video games
• 19.1% (13,753) children, 6 to 17, who engage in vigorous activities (running, biking, team sports) for only 30 minutes or less per week, were likely to be overweight compared to children who exercised at least 30 minutes, and at least 2 times per week
• 18.4% (6,046) of children (age 6-17), who ate fast food at least 5 days in the previous week, were likely to be overweight.

*2004 OCHNA Survey Data

2009 Health Facts

December 2009

Worlds AIDS Day: December 1st

According to UNAIDS:

• 33.4 million people are living with HIV worldwide
• 31.3 million are adults
• 15.7 million are women
• 2.1 million are children under 15

November 2009

Mental Health

• According to the WHO (World Health Organization), mental disorders are the leading cause of disability in North America.
• In Orange County, approximately one in five (18.4% or 424,660) adults reported having at least one poor mental health day in the previous 30 days.
• In Orange County, 6.8% (158,971) of adults reported that they were diagnosed with emotional, mental, or behavioral health disorders by adoctor or other health care provider.

What were the 6.8% of Orange County Adults Diagnosed with?

September 2009

Child Safety

Drowning and Immersion Incidents

• Drowning remains the top cause of death among children 1 to 4 years of age in Orange County and also in California, according to Orange County Health Care Agency .
• The drowning rate between 2005 and 2007 for children under 5 in Orange County was 2.7 deaths per 100,00 children under 5. This is higher than the statewide rate.

Proximity to Firearms

The best way to ensure gun safety in the home is to not have guns present at all.

• 8.4% (21,484) of parents of children 0 to 5 years have a firearm kept in or around the home (including those kept in the garage, an outdoor storage area, car, truck, or other motor vehicle).
  • 74.6% (15,005) of guns were handguns such as pistols or revolvers.

*2007 OCHNA Survey Data

June 2009

Children's (6-17) Mental and Emotional Well-Being

• The mental health needs of children are basic, yet essential in ensuring that they grow up to become confident, empathetic and well-adjusted adults.
• 13.9% (72,955) of parents/guardians percieved that their child had a mental/behavioral difficulty of some degree (minor, moderate, severe).
• In Orange County, an estimated 7.5 % (36,609) of parents or guardians with children aged 6 to 17 years old talked to their health care provider to discuss their child's problems in emotions, concentration, behavior, or ability to get along with others.
• An estimated 5.9% (30,939) of Orange County children have been diagnosed with a mental or behavioral disorder.

What were the 5.9% of Orange County Children Diagnosed with?

2008 Health Facts

October 2008

Access and Utilization

Adults 18+ Health Care

• 89.6% (2,000,698) Orange County adults had some form of health care coverage.
• 65.1% (1,281,345) of those with health care coverage indicated that they had employer based coverage. This is approximately a 7% decrease from 2001 and 10% decrease from 1998.

Adults 65+

• 97.8% (288,174) seniors had health care coverage. This is almost a 1% decrease (0.7%) from 2001.
• 57.2% (159,192) of seniors with health care coverage indicated they had Medicare.

Uninsured by Race and Income

Race/ ethnicity does not necessarily determine a person’s ability to have health care coverage; a better indicator is income. Examining the uninsured by race and income allows the reader to see the relationship between the two variables: minority groups who are more likely to be uninsured are also more likely to be low income.

September 2008

Alcohol, Tobacco, and Other Drug Use: Youth (Grades 7,9,11)

Alcohol is by far the most frequently used substance among Orange County Adolescents; by the 11th grade, a majority of students (60%) reported some use and more than one-third (34%) were current users of alcohol.

Marijuana is the most widely illicit drug; lifetime experimentation with marijuana among Orange County youth actually exceeded the rate for cigarettes, while current use prevalence is virtually the same for both substances.

Inhalants are next in popularity to marijuana, because they are readily available, inhalant use even exceeded marijuana among 7th graders. However, the use of inhalants tended to decline as adolescents age, while use of marijuana increased.

The tables below show the lifetime and current (past 30 days) alcohol, tobacco and other drug (ATOD) use prevalence rates for Orange County and California students in the 7th, 9th, and 11th grades as reported in two separate surveys. One survey (California Student Survey, CSS) involved a statewide sample of 10,351 randomly-selected students and the other (California Healthy Kids Survey, CHKS) included a total of 43,861 students in Orange County.

1 California Student Survey 2003-2004

2 California Healthy Kids Survey, 2003-2004

August 2008

Health Care For Children

According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, a child experiences the most dramatic growth of his entire life during infancy and early childhood. By the age one, the infant has tripled his birth weight and added almost 50% to his length. By the age three, a child's brain has grown by a quarter to nearly its adult size. Because of the tremendous development and growth, access to health care for young children is especially important.

Children without any form of Primary health coverage in Orange County is 2.2%. That might not seem like that many but when you look at how many children that actually is (5,807) that is an overwhelming among. Children without any form of Dental health coverage is 17.5% which is 44,654 children.

While most newborns are born healthy, some infants are born too early, with low birth weight, or with disabilities. It is particularly important that these newborns and their parents have access to health care to minimize complications. However, long-term outcomes for all infants and young children are improved when they receive regular health care and check-ups to ensure that the child is growing in a normal healthy way.

*All data taken from our 2005 report.

June 2008

Obesity is a major health crisis, both on national and local levels. The CDC ranked obesity as the second leading cause, after smoking, of preventable death in the United States, accounting for 280,000 deaths each year. According to the OCHNA 2004 survey, the proportion of Orange County adults ages 18 and over who were either overweight or obese ranges from 41.8% (81,419) in the youngest age category (18-24) to a high of 55.4% (142,322) in the second oldest age category (55-64).

May 2008

Homelessness is a problem in Orange County. There has been an 88% increase in the homeless population from 2000 to 2004. In 2000 there were 18,603 in the homeless population; in 2004 the population increased to 34,998. The trends of the homeless population coincide with steep rises in housing costs. The largest expense for most individuals and families is housing. Respondents to the OCHNA survey were asked about their annual income. Almost three quarters of homeless respondents (74.6%) make less than $15,000 annually. If you know someone who is homeless please click here to be directed to a web site that can help.

April 2008

April is National Organ Donor Month

The number of people requiring a life-saving transplant continues to rise faster than the number of available donors. Approximately 300 new transplant candidates are added to the waiting list each month.

• Waiting list candidates: 98,718 as of 4-7-2008
• Transplants January-January 2008: 2,196 as of 4-4-2008
• Donors January-January 2008: 1,130 as of 4-4-2008

All Individuals can indicate their intent to donate (persons younger than 18 years of age must have a parent's or guardian's consent). You can also help lower the number of people needing transplants by taking care of yourself, so you will not need one in the future. Please click here fore more information and for information on how you can become a donor.

2007 Health Facts

August 2007

August is National Immunization Awareness Month

All infants need immunizations at 2,4,6,12,15 and 18 months. For more information, including immunization schedules, visit the National Immunization Program’s web site. Adults also should be reminded to make sure that their immunizations are also current, including Tetanus booster every ten years. Flu vaccines are recommended for all adults and children with compromised immune systems. Check with your doctor or medical provider to ensure that your entire family is current on all immunizations.

juLY 2007

As summer activities began, we are all reminded to focus on child safety. Children under the age of 5 are at greater risk from unintentional injury-related death and disability than are older children; the 0-5 age group accounts for forty percent of all injury-related deaths month children ages 14 and under. As children increase their activities in the summer months, they should be reminded to wear helmets and other safety equipment.

june 2007

June includes National Men's Health Week with an emphasis on awareness, prevention, education and family. Men are reminded to schedule annual physicals including prostate exams. The effect of healthy nutrition is emphasized this month as June 5 is National Hunger Awareness day with the theme this year, "The Face of Hunger Will Surprise You". For more information America's Second Harvest at www.secondharvest.org.

May 2007

May includes National Women's Health Week. Women are encouraged to take simple steps for a longer, healthier and happier life. The theme of this year for National Women's Health Week is "It's Your Time: Pamper Your Mind, Body and Spirit." May is also Home Safety Month. We are all encouraged to take a hands on approach to prevent injuries in our homes and to develop a plan of emergency preparedness in case of fires and other natural disasters.