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Health Outcomes

Health Disparities

Diabetes: In 2011, an estimated 26 million persons aged ≥20 years (11.3% of the U.S. population) had diabetes. Both the prevalence and incidence of diabetes have increased rapidly since the mid-1990s, with minority racial/ethnic groups and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups experiencing the steepest increases and most substantial effects from the disease. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/other/su6203.pdf

HIV Infections: At the end of 2009, approximately 1.1 million persons in the United States were living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, with approximately 50,000 new infections annually. The prevalence of HIV continues to be greatest among gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (MSM), who comprised approximately half of all persons with new infections in 2009. Disparities also exist among racial/ ethnic minority populations, with blacks/African Americans and Hispanics/Latinos accounting for approximately half of all new infections and deaths among persons who received an HIV diagnosis in 2009. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/other/su6203.pdf

Tuberculosis: From 1993 to 2010, the number of TB cases reported in the United States decreased from 25,103 to 11,182. Despite the decrease, TB continues to affect many communities in the United States disproportionately and unequally, especially racial/ethnic minorities and foreign-born persons. TB remains one of many diseases and health conditions with large disparities and inequalities by income, race/ethnicity, educational attainment, and other sociodemographic characteristics. https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/other/su6203.pdf

Teen Births: In 2010, birth rates for females aged 15–19 years varied considerably by race and Hispanic origin. The rates for Hispanics (55.7 births per 1,000 females aged 15–19 years) and non-Hispanic blacks (51.5 births) were approximately five times the rate for A/PIs (10.9 births) and approximately twice the rate for non-Hispanic whites (23.5 births). The rate for AI/ ANs aged 15–19 years was intermediate (38.7 births per 1,000 females aged 15–19 years). Rates varied considerably across specified Hispanic groups. The rate in 2010 was highest for "other" Hispanics aged 15–19 years (65.4 births per 1,000), followed by Mexican (55.5 births), Puerto Rican (43.7 births), and Cuban (24.4 births). https://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/pdf/other/su6203.pdf

Infant Mortality: The infant mortality rate among blacks is highest and rates among white and blacks have increased in recent years.  The infant mortality rate among Latinos is lowest overall. Higher infant mortality reates are associated with babies whose mothers are:

  • Less than 20 years old or greater than 40 years old
  • Less than a 12th grade education
  • Not married
  • Smoked cigarettes
  • Received no medical care while pregnant
  • Had at least one health problem while pregnant

Some counties in Arkansas are more rural, have higher rates of poverty, and have fewer adults who have graduated from high school or college. These counties have higher infant mortality rates.

 

Why Is This Important?

Fewer people in Arkansas report having excellent or very good health compared to the country as a whole. In the United States, 19 percent of adults have excellent health and 34 percent have very good health. Conversely, more people in Arkansas report having good, fair or poor health compared to the United States. In the United States, 31 percent of adults report having good health, 12 percent having fair health, and four percent having poor health. Arkansas is ranked very low in terms of overall health. We are ranked 46th out of 50 states. Only Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Oklahoma have lower rankings. Arkansas ranks low for many reasons. These reasons include high rates of early death, infant death, and death from chronic diseases.

HEALTH OUTCOMES

Diabetes is an important marker for a range of health behaviors. Diabetes can cause serious health complications including heart disease, blindness, kidney failure, and lower-extremity amputations. Diabetes is the seventh leading cause of death in the United States.7

Profile Measure Data Source: Arkansas Department of Health, Health Statistics Branch, BRFSS County Estimates

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is also an important marker for a range of risky health behaviors and it can put significant burden on the population and the health care system. Through the surveillance of HIV, a data system can be developed that combines information on HIV infection, disease progression, and behaviors and characteristics of people at high risk. With this system, CDC can direct HIV prevention funding to where it is needed the most.8

Profile Measure Data Source: Arkansas eHARS (enhanced HIV/AIDS Reporting System)

Chlamydia is the most common bacterial Sexually Transmitted Infection (STI) in North America and is one of the major causes of tubal infertility, ectopic pregnancy, pelvic inflammatory disease, and chronic pelvic pain. STIs are associated with a significantly increased risk of morbidity and mortality, including increased risk of cervical cancer, involuntary infertility, and premature death. STIs also have a high economic burden on society. For example, the direct medical cost of managing STIs and the complications in the U.S. was approximately 15.6 billion dollars in 2008.9

Profile Measure Data Source: Arkansas PRISM (Patient Reporting Investigating Surveillance Manager)

Low birth weight (LBW) represents two factors: maternal exposure to health risks and an infant’s current and future morbidity, as well as premature mortality risk. From the perspective of maternal health outcomes, LBW indicates maternal exposure to health risks in all categories of health factors, including her health behaviors, access to health care, the social and economic environment she inhabits, and environmental risks to which she is exposed. In terms of the infant’s health outcomes, LBW serves as a predictor of premature mortality and/or morbidity over the life course and for potential cognitive development problems.

Profile Measure Data Source: Arkansas Department of Health, Health Statistics Branch Query System

Teen Births are the number of births per 1,000 female population, ages 15-19. Evidence suggests teen pregnancy significantly increases the risk of repeat pregnancy and of contracting a STI, both of which can result in adverse health outcomes for mothers, children, families, and communities. A systematic review of the sexual risk among pregnant and mothering teens concludes that pregnancy is a marker for current and future sexual risk behaviors and adverse outcomes. Pregnant teens are more likely than older women to receive late or no prenatal care, have gestational hypertension and anemia, and achieve poor maternal weight gain. Teens are also more likely than older women to have a pre-term delivery and LBW baby, increasing the risk of child developmental delay, illness, and mortality.

Profile Measure Data Source: Arkansas Department of Health, Health Statistics Branch Query System

Infant mortality represents the health of the most vulnerable age group (those under 365 days). This measure can help to interpret the YPLL rate in a county.

Profile Measure Data Source: Arkansas Department of Health, Health Statistics Branch Query System

Measures

Time
Period
Current Actual Value
Current Target Value
Current
Trend
Baseline
% Change
I
2017
4,363.8 rate per 100,000
2
-15%
I
2017
4,743.0 rate per 100,000
1
7%
I
2018
9.3%
1
7%
I
2017
32.4 rate per 1,000
5
-28%
I
2018
7.4 rate per 1,000
1
9%

Clear Impact Suite is an easy-to-use, web-based software platform that helps your staff collaborate with external stakeholders and community partners by utilizing the combination of data collection, performance reporting, and program planning.

Scorecard Container Measure Action Actual Value Target Value Tag S A m/d/yy m/d/yyyy