Critical health issues identified in Allegheny and Washington counties Poor health is a consequence of multiple, complex factors with medical, social, economic, and behavioral dimensions, in addition to lack of access to care. Addressing the roots of poor health is essential to improving a community’s quality of life and reducing death and disease. ALLEGHENY COUNTY Allegheny County includes areas designated by St. Clair Hospital as Regions 1 and 2, as well as portions of Regions 4 and 5. In comparison to Washington County, Allegheny County has higher proportions of low-income and uninsured residents living in an urban environment; these factors contribute to the area’s health issues. Among the issues that are affecting the health of residents in these regions are a prevalence of unsafe sex practices; high rates of communicable disease and HIV; high rates of low birth weight infants and infant mortality; high rates of breast, colon and lung cancer; and high rates of suicide and community safety issues.
WASHINGTON COUNTY Washington County includes areas served by St. Clair Hospital and designated as Region 3, plus portions of Region 4 and 5. Washington County is more rural than Allegheny County and has different health issues. These include poor dental
health; high rates of high blood pressure; high rates of lung and bronchial cancer, and breast cancer; and high rates of births to women ages 40-54.
Health issues identified by the 2013 CHNA as critical for Allegheny and Washington counties, in alphabetical order: ACCESS TO CARE Lack of Affordable and Accessible Care Lack of Affordable and Accessible Mental & Behavioral Health Facilities/Services Lack of Resources for Providers Lack of Services and Care of Seniors COMMUNITY SAFETY Poor Community Safety DENTAL HEALTH Poor Dental Health HEALTH BEHAVIORS Prevalent Drug Use Prevalent Unsafe Sex
HEALTH CONDITIONS High Rates of Cancer High Rates of Communicable Diseases High rates of High Blood Pressure Prevalent Diet and Exercise-Related Conditions INFANT & MATERNAL HEALTH High Rates of Births to Women Age 40-54 High Rates of Infant Mortality High Incidences of Low Birth Weight Infants
MORTALITY RATES High Rates of Cirrhosis Mortality High Rates of Colon Cancer Mortality High Rates of Injury and Violence Mortality High Rates of Mortality for Young Adults Ages 20-24 High Rates of Suicide PHYSICAL ENVIRONMENT Poor Air Quality SOCIAL & ECONOMIC FACTORS Low and Moderate Income Populations Unable to Meet Basic Needs.
Community Health Needs Assessment
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