The Regional InstituteThe Regional Institute
Context

Many factors in the Buffalo Niagara region make imperative the need for regular assessment of the region’s Health performance. The population here is aging rapidly – at one of the fastest rates in the U.S. – while increasing immigrant populations, high rates of obesity and heart disease and poverty, and inadequate access to health care complicate the region’s health situation.


What Health Measures

The State of the Region’s Health indicators focus on several broad categories, including access to health care and insurance coverage, preventative care such as nutrition, physical activity and prenatal care, and the prevalence of chronic disease and mental health disorders. Indicators have been selected to facilitate policy and behavior intervention.


The Road Ahead

The State of the Region credits and has relied on the ongoing dedication and hard work of the regioin's health care community in defining and evaluating factors important to individual and community health. Continued partnership in this area is important as the region’s health challenges evolve.


Health Indicators - (Latest Indicator Updates)

6.1 Birth Weight — Last Updated(Feb 2005 )
Low birth weight rates as a percentage of all live births and by race/ethnicity; percentage of mothers seeking prenatal care in Western New York

6.2 Childhood Immunizations — Last Updated(Nov 2000 )
Proportion of school entrants and pre-K and kindergarten students with full immunizations, as defined by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

6.3 Asthma — Last Updated(Apr 2006 )
Asthma prevalence among Western New York adults (age 20 or older); changes in pediatric hospitalization rates

6.4 Teen Pregnancy — Last Updated(Feb 2005 )
Teen pregnancy rates for Western New York by race/ethnicity and in comparison to New York State (excluding New York City)

6.5 Cardiovascular Health — Last Updated(Dec 2002 )
Western New York mortality rates for diseases of the heart

6.6 Overweight and Obesity — Last Updated(Apr 2006 )
Proportion of obese and overweight adults in Western New York; percentage of adults with diabetes or heart disease that are overweight. [Note: Indicator replaced 6.6 Exercise Levels in 2000.]

6.7 Smoking Prevalence — Last Updated(Jul 2005 )
Proportion of adult smokers in Western New York compared to the U.S. and New York State overall; smoking among Erie County 9th graders; lung cancer mortality rates in Western New York

6.8 Mental Health — Last Updated(Apr 2006 )
Self-reported levels of depression and anxiety in Western New York adults; average suicide rates in Western New York

6.9 Insurance Coverage — Last Updated(Jun 2006 )
Number of Western New York residents without health insurance; health insurance costs as a percentage of household income in Western New York

6.10 AIDS Cases — Last Updated(Dec 2002 )
Total number of AIDS cases and the incidence of new cases in Western New York (by county, race/ethnicity and type of exposure risk)