Community Health Assessment Report Benton & Franklin Counties 1996 Summary

Community Health Assessment Tri-City Area Health Care Task Force Benton-Franklin District Health Department A.H.E.C.

Methodology Quantifiable Data – VISTA Verified Qualitative Data – BRFSS (550) – Community Opinion Survey (600) – Key Informant Interviews Two Open Forums

Demographics & Socioeconomics 1994 Benton-Franklin population169, population increased annually by an average of 4,967 The largest group of Hispanics B&F counties under 9 In Benton County the number of Hispanic residents was 8,624 or 7.7% of the total population. In Franklin County, there were 11,316 Hispanics or 30% of the total population. 15% of all children 18 years or younger in Benton County live in poverty, 32% in Franklin County and 14.9% in the state.

Morbidity/Mortality The leading causes of death in Benton and Franklin Counties and the State of Washington were: Heart Disease, Stroke, Injury and COPD Unintentional Injury was the leading cause of death among those under 45 years old Cancer is the leading cause of death for females in both counties (respiratory cancer is single most common cause of cancer deaths) Benton and Franklin counties have significantly higher stroke mortality than the state Franklin County has a significantly higher rate of motor vehicle mortality than Benton County or Washington State

Apex Socioeconomic and Assess Indicators Data Benton CountyFranklin CountyWashington State Per Capita Income 1994 $20,122$15,620$21,289 Percent living below FPL in %23.0%10.2% Percent of those over 25 with less than high school education 16.2%31.89%16.3% Percent of labor force unemployed 11.9%13.9%4.9% Percent of Population on food stamps 8%16%6.1% Percent of population enrolled in medical assistance 12.52%29.43%11.1% Estimated number of homeless persons 5,337 Maximum age of children served by WIC 555 Percent of minors enrolled in Medicaid who used EPSDT 27%29%21.4%

Access to Health Care Wide open spaces and long distances to health care and trauma centers affect access to care for the rural areas of Benton and Franklin Counties. Public Health, Mental Health, long term and acute care are becoming increasingly integrated Pasco has been identified as a shortage area La Clinica is the only publicly subsidized health clinic in the area. health professional shortage area for dental care providers

Social Issues children who were DSHS clients Violence Teen Pregnancy, school drop out, drug and alcohol misuse, attempted suicide and living with child abuse and domestic violence Individuals enrolled in state funded treatment programs of alcohol and other drug abuse

Public Health From 1990 to 1994, the Environmental Health Division investigated over 1,075 food related complaints. Infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and vaccine- preventable diseases such as measles continue to be a concern in the two-county area Chlamydia is the most common STD reported. Females age are the most frequently affected. Forty-Two AIDS cases have been reported since 1986 in the two-county area. It is estimated that for every AIDS case there are additional individuals infected with HIV. In a recent survey of area residents, less than 48% felt that their drinking water was “very safe”.

Birth and Perinatal Indicators Of the 39 counties in WA, Benton Co. ranked 30 th and Franklin Co. 37 th for mothers who reported smoking during pregnancy. For four out of the six years from 1988 to 1993, Franklin County had the highest teen pregnancy rate among Washington counties. In 1993, 4.2% of the infants born were low birth weight (This matches the target percentage set in the PHIP Year 2000 Goal for the state) The infant mortality rate in Franklin County was 10.2 per 1,000 live births from In Benton County, that rate was 6.9 for the same period. The PHIP year 2000 target goal is less than 7.0 infant deaths per 1,000 live births.

General Health and Well-Being 85% of the respondents reported having medical insurance coverage of some kind. 64% of those with medical coverage reported having a medical checkup in the last year versus 35% of those who are uninsured. About 14% of all respondents said that they need to see a health professional within the last year but could not because of the cost Among those households surveyed with young children, 46% reported their youngest child never uses a bicycle helmet. Based on reported heights and weights 30% of all respondents were calculated to be overweight. 53% of respondents reported experiencing allergy symptoms within the two weeks previous to the survey.

Some Sample Priorities Teen violence Teen pregnancy Drug usage STDs Alcohol use Tobacco use Immunizations Infectious Disease Transmission Seat Belt Use Safe Drinking Water Migrant Worker Poverty Affordable Housing Dental Caries/Gum Disease Publicly Subsidized Healthcare Access to Primary Healthcare Population Based Public Health Prenatal Care/Infant Mortality

Next Step Implementing Change Prioritizing Problems Measurable Outcome Indicators Involvement of Entire Community