Poweshiek County Remains in Top Third for State Health

Poweshiek County’s overall health ranking decreased in 2013 but remained in the top third for the state, according to the County Health Ranks sponsored by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.

The county ranked 28 out of 99 counties, slipping from a high of 16^th rank, five years ago. However, some measures change each year so not all data can be compared over the five years.

The annual ranking is a snapshot of the county’s health. Poweshiek County has been consistent in length of life and premature death rates, ranking 20^th in the state. The study examines mortality (death) data to find out how long people live and it measures premature deaths, defined as deaths before age 75.

The second component of the study is morbidity (quality of life) and its impact on health.

The county ranked well for adult smoking: 83% non-smoking and 17% smoking. The state rate is 18% smoking adults. Poweshiek has been fortunate to have only 4% alcohol-impaired driving deaths, compared to the state average of 21%. In the area of clinical care, 90% of Medicare enrollees had been screened for diabetes.

The rankings are based on a model of population health that emphasizes the many factors that, if improved, can help make communities healthier places to live, learn, work and play. Mental health continues to be an area for improvement with an average ranking of 2.9 poor mental health days per month, compared to the state average of 2.6 and the top counties in the country with 2.4.

Mammography screenings also remain below the state average with only 64% of Poweshiek County eligible Medicare enrollees having an annual mammogram. The state average is 67% and the national top performing counties have 71% of enrollees completing an annual mammogram.

  “The County Health Rankings data as well as all data collected during GRMC’s  Community Health Needs Assessment is used to provide the focus for public health activities,” says Patty Hinrichs, Grinnell Regional Public Health director. “A Mental Health task force has been formed to discuss unmet mental health needs in the Poweshiek area.  Public Health funding and grants are focused on the highest priorities in our communities.”

The entire database for all counties in the nation and information on the Roadmaps to Health are available at http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/app/iowa/2014/overview.

The Roadmaps to Health help communities bring people together to look at the many factors that influence health, select strategies that work, and make changes that will have a lasting impact. The Roadmaps focus on helping communities determine what they can do and what they can learn from others.