Community Health Assessment Survey for Marion County Shows Improvements, Challenges
Published on Tuesday, 18 February 2020 15:23
For Immediate Release
Feb. 17, 2020
(Indianapolis) – The Marion County Public Health Department is releasing the results of its 2018 Community Health Assessment Survey. Nearly 5,000 Marion County residents took part in the survey, which gives an in-depth look at the health and well-being of the community.
The results from this survey will eventually be combined with information from other data sources and input from community organizations to create a Community Health Assessment report, scheduled for release later this year.
By comparing the 2018 survey results to similar Community Health Assessment surveys in 2005 and 2012, the health department can see the progress and challenges to public health in Marion County.
Information in the new survey shows that adults in Marion County are generally healthier than in 2012; however, they continue to be less healthy than U.S. adults overall. Most notably, the 2018 survey reveals a significant increase in healthcare access and a decrease in smoking among local residents. Responses from 2018 also indicated a rise in depression, high cholesterol and hypertension.
Most child health measures did not change much between 2012 and 2018. However, asthma in children did go up, as did the amount of screen time with electronic devices. While the amount of physical activity declined, physical activity among Marion County children was higher than among U.S. children overall, and overweight and obesity decreased among children.
A child’s exposure to secondhand smoke is lower in Marion County than in the U.S. Also encouraging are the indications that obesity among children may be on the decline as well after increasing from 2005 through 2012.
“This survey is our best source of information about many health issues, like smoking, exercise, disease prevalence, disabilities and access to health care,” said Virginia A. Caine, M.D., director of the Marion County Public Health Department. “I want to thank those residents who completed and returned the survey, helping us to better understand the health status and needs in Marion County.”
Caine continued, “These responses also help to understand special health issues for subpopulations within the county, such as the elderly, and compare the health issues between different parts of Marion County.”
The 2018 Community Health Assessment Survey Report, is available online at http://marionhealth.org/2018-community-health-assessment-survey-report/.
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Media Contact:
Curt Brantingham
Media/Public Information Coordinator
317-221-2316 (o) │ 317-525-7450 (c)
