Heart disease, diabetes are still the top health problems in Stanislaus County, report says
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An annual report shows that not much has changed with ongoing chronic disease in Stanislaus County since the COVID-19 pandemic faded.
The county’s public health report for 2023 revealed an especially high rate of heart disease and a concerning prevalence of diabetes, which were reported in years leading up to the COVID emergency from March 11, 2020, to May 5, 2023.
The prevalence of heart disease among county residents was 10.5% in 2023, far above the 6.9% statewide in California. Diabetes affected 11% of county residents, which was two percentage points higher than the statewide rate.
The county health report showed improvement in the number of pregnant women who get adequate prenatal care. The 85.9% figure still was slightly below the norm in California.
The county data for low-birth-weight babies was better than the rest of the state, (6.5% compared to 7.3% statewide), but local health officials see room for improvement, the report said.
The annual health report released in November usually appears earlier in the calendar year. But public health staff members have been working on an initiative aimed at chronic disease issues and improving community health.
“Data continues to show that our community adversely experiences higher rates of chronic diseases, compared to the state of California as a whole,” county Public Health Director Heather Duvall wrote in a staff report.
The county Board of Supervisors approved three additional staff positions Nov. 5 for a team to implement the health initiative. The staff additions include two managers and an administrative secretary, at a total annual cost of $534,800.
A Leadership Council made up of partner agencies, hospital representatives and county officials will guide the health initiative. A community health coalition will provide input to help shape the public health strategy.
Other community health challenges in the annual report included a 33% adult obesity rate and a physical inactivity rate that was also above the state numbers. Smoking was a habit for 14% of adults living in Stanislaus County, compared to 9% statewide. Food insecurity affected 12% of local households.
Faced with these challenges, the county health agency did not sit idle last year, the report stressed.
In 2023, more than 6,500 home visits provided tailored care plans for maternal, infant and adolescent health.
More than $4 million in fruits and vegetables were purchased for participants in the Women, Infants and Children program. In addition, 1,360 children received preventative oral health care at elementary schools in west Modesto.
The county recorded 56 new cases of HIV. More than three-quarters of HIV patients were referred to health care providers and began treatment.
This story was originally published November 26, 2024 at 6:00 AM.
