Reprinted from the Health District's quarterly publication mailed to district residents (Fall 1999)

The results are in, and the verdict is mixed. The 1998 Community Health Survey found that while screening rates for heart disease and cancer are on the rise, so are some unhealthy behaviors such as smoking and physical inactivity.

The survey, a follow-up to a study done by the Health District in 1995, also found that when it comes to accessing health services, people with low incomes continue to lag behind their more affluent counterparts.

The Health District asked 1,600 residents questions on a variety of health-related subjects, including health risk factors, access to care, overall health and perceptions of community issues.

The survey was intended both to measure health status and to identify some of our community’s health needs. In some cases, the problems identified have solutions in place; in others, the survey information presents an opportunity for our community.

Selected results from the survey follow and, when possible, local resources are included.

Respondents indicate that information and referral is a top need.
Our community is lucky to have the solution to this one already out there. FirstCall, a nonprofit organization in Fort Collins formerly called ServiceNet, provides both telephone and online referral to hundreds of local health and human service agencies. Simply call 2-1-1 or visit www.firstcall-vc.org

Not everyone in our community can afford dental care.
A large percentage of people who say they needed dental care report not getting it. When asked why, 67 percent of people with low incomes say they couldn't afford the service.

Dental care for those with low incomes and without dental insurance is provided in our community by the Health District's Family Dental Clinic (416-5331), but the need continues to outdistance the availability of services.

More people than ever are getting regular screening for heart disease and cancer.
The message of early detection for heart disease and cancer is reaching our community. In every area addressed by the survey, screening rates went up. For example, in 1998, 70 percent of women over age 50 had received a mammogram, compared to only 54 percent in 1995. Similar increases were found in heart disease screening (both blood pressure and cholesterol testing). Smaller, but still important, increases were seen in prostate, cervical and colorectal cancer screening.

Nearly 31 percent of people in our community "occasionally" or "often" put off seeking healthcare due to cost.
Another 19 percent report skipping medications or treatment due to cost, and 17 percent of respondents report putting off mental healthcare for the same reason.

If you look at those with lower incomes, cost becomes an even greater factor. For prescriptions, 19 percent of those with low-incomes report delaying or not filling prescriptions compared to only 4 percent of their higher-income peers. Those with low-incomes also are twice as likely to report delaying or not getting healthcare than their higher-income counterparts.

30 percent of people report not having health insurance sometime in the last three years.
The survey also shows that lack of health insurance is associated with lower screening rates, poor health and problems accessing regular healthcare. On a good note, only 8 percent of respondents report not having health insurance in the past year, compared to 13 percent in 1995, which might be attributed to the strong Fort Collins and Colorado economies.

Some children in our community don't have health insurance.
Seven percent of survey respondents (and 14 percent of low-income respondents) report that at least one of their children has no health insurance, and for some families, no insurance means no regular healthcare for their kids.

Colorado is fortunate to have a very affordable healthcare plan for children in low-income families, Child Health Plan Plus (CHP+). For information in Larimer County, call 407-7959. More on the program

Some risky health behaviors are on the rise.
People in our community are drinking more and exercising less, and more people than ever are overweight. Seatbelt use remained about the same between 1995 and 1998, but only about a third of the people in our community report always using their seatbelts. Eighteen percent of survey respondents state they are currently smokers, the same as in 1995.

Seven percent of survey respondents report considering suicide in the past year.
If that sounds like a lot of people, you're right, and rates are higher for those with low income and for groups reporting poorer health and a number of other risk factors.

Locally, the Larimer Center for Mental Health operates a 24-hour emergency phone number (221-2114) that may be of help to individuals thinking about suicide. The Suicide Resource Center (635-9301 and www.suicideresourcecenter.org) offers support groups and prevention programs, although they do not operate a crisis line. Connections, a mental health and substance abuse resource center, offers information and referral. Call 221-5551 or stop by at 525 W. Oak St.

2001 Community Health Survey results