For Webster County residents, recently released data from the sixth annual County Health Rankings may be cause for concern. Since about 2003, the premature death rate (or the rate of deaths prior to age 75) has been on the rise. Today Webster County ranks 84th out of 120 Kentucky counties on average life expectancy.
According to the study, Premature Death is the years of potential life lost before age 75 (YPLL). Every death occurring before the age of 75 contributes to the total number of years of potential life lost. For example, a person dying at age 25 contributes 50 years of life lost, whereas a person who dies at age 65 contributes 10 years of life lost to a county’s YPLL. The YPLL measure is presented as a rate per 100,000 population and is age-adjusted to the population according to the 2000 US Census.
In 2003, Webster County’s rate was 8,500, adjusted per 100,000, virtually identical to the statewide YPLL. Since then the state number has remained the same, but the county’s number has risen to 10,500.
Some of the biggest factors the study results give a smoking (22% of the population), adult obesity (33%), physical inactivity (30%) and drunk driving. In fact, drunk or impaired driving accounted for 65 percent of the motor vehicle related deaths in the county last year.
Webster did, however, fare better in the overall health ranking, being listed at 60th of 120 counties.
The County Health Rankings are a collaboration between the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.
“Communities use the rankings to help identify issues and opportunities for local health improvement, as well as to garner support for initiatives among government agencies, healthcare providers, community organizations, business leaders, policy makers, and the public,” says the report.
Reach MATT HUGHES
at 270-667-2068 or
matt@journalenterprise.com
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