FDOH-Escambia 2020 Year in Review

Protecting, Promoting, and Improving the Health of Our Community

Where we are born, grow, live, work, play, learn, and age all impact our health. These social determinants of health include socioeconomic status, education, employment, neighborhood and physical environment, and access to health care and social support networks. Each of these factors together create unique community health service needs.

In order to respond to the needs of the community, FDOH- Escambia partners with numerous governmental and non-governmental organizations to protect and improve the public’s health. Notable partnerships include area hospitals and medical facilities, infectious disease practitioners, the University of West Florida, Pensacola State College, the Escambia County School District and Early Learning Coalition, emergency management, law enforcement, City of Pensacola, Emerald Coast Utilities Authority, Healthy Start Coalition, Opening Doors Northwest Florida, Naval Air Station Pensacola, Community Health Northwest Florida, Boys’ and Girls’ Club, and many more.

Community Health Planning During COVID-19

On February 20, 2020, the University of West Florida (UWF) hosted over 200 community members in a conversation about health and equity. The Achieve Healthy EscaRosa data walk began a conversation that has carried us through the corona virus pandemic and onto the Zoom platform. Continued conversation of health equity was expanded as the pandemic brought to the forefront, the health disparities and inequities that the minority communities have dealt with for generations.

Despite the coronavirus restrictions, planning efforts continued as Achieve Healthy EscaRosa submitted a grant application that aimed to create a Minority Health Advisory Council. This council aims to work with the Faith- Based Organizations in Escambia and Santa Rosa Counties to educate the community about staying safe and healthy during a global health pandemic. Unfortunately, due to impacts from Hurricane Sally in September 2020, the grant date was pushed back. The education-focused collective impact organization (Achieve Escambia) did receive a grant to work with UWF’s HAAS Center to develop an Escambia and Santa Rosa County Health Equity Dashboard.

Births and Deaths in 2020

Vital statistics play an important role in community health assessment and improvement. FDOH-Escambia’s vital statistics office maintains these records by both reporting and issuing birth and death certificates. The data collected from these certificates is used to track death and disease for Escambia County residents. Data, like what is indicated below, was used in the Health Assessment process to determine priority areas for the current health improvement efforts.

~ 3,731 resident births

~ 4,219 resident deaths

~ 30 deaths under age 1

~ 20 fetal deaths (20 weeks gestation or greater)

Demographics

Escambia County, Florida is the 20th (out of 67) most populous county in the state, with 1.5% of Florida’s population. Escambia County boasts a strong military presence with four naval facilities located within the county, including Naval Air Station Pensacola, Corry Field Station, Saufley Field Station, and Naval Hospital Pensacola. Military and Civil Service, education, health care, and retail are primary employment industries.

324,620 Escambia County Residents

492.7 Persons per Square Mile

Race

White 68.9% (223,554)

Black 23.3% (75,540)

Other 7.9% (25,526)

Age

20-44 33.8% (109,837)

45-64 24.8% (80,396)

65+ 17.1% (66,653)

<14 17.5% (56,939)

15-19 6.7% (21,795)

*data sources: edr.state.fl.us/Content/area-profiles/county/escambia.pdf and flhealthcharts.com

Social and Economic Characteristics

$50,915 per year MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME

57.3% LABOR FORCE as % of population 18+

90.5% GRADUATED HIGH SCHOOL

26.5% HAVE AT LEAST A BACHELOR’S DEGREE

7% UNEMPLOYMENT RATE

3181.24 CRIME RATE (index crimes** per 100,000 population)

APPROXIMATELY 1 OUT OF 8 RESIDENTS DO NOT HAVE HEALTH INSURANCE

ALMOST 1 IN 4 CHILDREN ARE LIVING IN POVERTY (under age 18)