The Scoop - April 13, 2015

Posted by Anne Decker

on Apr 13, 2015

The new Community Health Assessment shows that the health of Allen County residents is improving.

Allen County residents weigh less, exercise more, and drink less alcohol than they did five years ago, according to the Community Health Assessment which was unveiled at the Lima Rotary Club. Since the last survey in 2009, 70% of us say that we engage in some type of physical activity more than three times per week; we're eating more fruits and vegetables, and our cardiovascular health has improved. However, 22% of Allen County adults smoke, which has not changed from 2009. Among children in grades 6-12, obesity is up 4%, 21% of children have tried smoking, and 54% have drunk alcohol. Brittany Ward from the Hospital Council of Northwest Ohio, which conducted the survey, said the numbers to be concerned about among both adults and children is the level of depression and sadness - 11% of adults regularly feel depressed, while 29% of children feel sad or hopeless. Local health providers will be working on four priority areas as a result of the survey: Increase Wellness, Improve Maternal and Infant Health, Decrease Mental Health and Substance Abuse, and Increase Access to Care.

Also at the meeting, we welcomed two new members: Jodie Sutherland-Robinson from Yazel's Flowers, and Tom Holmes from Covenant Ministry.