The bad news is that a state health survey ranks Massachusetts first in the Northeast when it comes to violent crime and that nearly 60 percent of the state’s adults are overweight or obese.
The good news is that the state has been successful in increasing access to health care, and reducing smoking and HIV/AIDS cases.
The report was released by Massachusetts Health Council in October last year. The non-partisan statewide organization has released the report, called “Common Health for the Commonwealth: Massachusetts Trends in the Determinants of Health” every two years since 1999. It tracks public health problems including societal issues, such as poverty and lack of education, that affect the health of Massachusetts residents.
The council’s executive director, Susan Servais, said at the State House where the report was released that the group’s intent was to “get people to understand about exercises and eating healthy.”
Obesity Rates Has Doubled Since Early 1990s
According to the report, Massachusetts adult obesity rates more than doubled between the early 1990s and 2007. Obesity is also increasingly prevalent among children with 34 percent classified as overweight or obese last year.
Servais said obesity is one of most serious problems in Massachusetts, leading to many health problems such as diabetes, hypertension and mobility issues.
“There are just so many issues that impact the cost of health care from overweightness,” said Servais.
More Than Half Smokers Tried to Quit Smoking
The report found 60 percent of Massachusetts smokers indicated they had made an attempt to quit smoking last year, 41 percent said they were planning to quit within the month.
Jennifer Sullivan, Scituate's director of public health, said in a phone interview that the smoking population has dropped over time.
According to the U.S. Centers for Diseases Control, the 2007 smoking rate of 16.4 percent is the lowest ever recorded for the commonwealth, which ranked 4th behind California, Utah and Connecticut.
The new report also says 1.4 million Massachusetts residents have no dental insurance. The state’s 25 most highly populated cities and towns are fluoridated except five, including Brockton.
The report shows the number of confirmed cases of hepatitis C totaled 3,145 in 2007 - an incidence rate of 50 per 100,000 population. The Plymouth County’s incidence rate of 19 per 100,000 ranked the lowest throughout the commonwealth in the past year.
Quincy Health Commissioner Andrew Scheele said in an phone interview that the health department has organized two programs that incorporate eating healthy, exercises, and having a clear mind.
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