United Way of Lane County’s
Community Indicators Report 2012
View or download this report at www.unitedwaylane.org/what-we-do/reports/community-indicators-report-2012
Introduction
For 66 years, United Way of Lane County has served as a leader in the human service arena. More than ever, we recognize just how important it is to engage community members in creating the community in which we all want to live and work! The information in these pages presents a picture of our local community in four important and foundational areas. Long-term solutions are essential for creating a healthy community, but every journey also requires a starting place from which to plot the course. That’s why we’ve collected research on key indicators specific to our community and created the 2012 Lane County Community Indicators Report. The report offers important information that we can use to make informed decisions about our future and track our progress as we move toward creating the community we want. The issues we face are complex and interrelated. These indicators are not intended to be a reflection of the strategic work done by any one agency, including United Way. Rather, they are intended to provide a comprehensive picture of many different challenges facing Lane County and its residents at the present time. This report is only a first step. The journey to the community we want requires us to be informed, thoughtful, and committed in our efforts. This work requires everyone – businesses, nonprofits, officials, and citizens–to work cooperatively for the common good. Together, we can accomplish much more than any one individual or organization can do alone.
2 – Introduction
United Way of Lane County’s Community Indicators Report 2012
About the Indicators This data in this report falls into four strategic categories: Education, Income, Health, and Basic Needs. These focus areas have been recognized by United Way for years as the building blocks for a good life. Each section contains tables and charts which reflect past and existing conditions in critical areas. Some of these measures are combined into indicator groups which show the inter-relationship between different elements and their combined influence on individuals, families, and the community. Some indicators impact multiple areas, so some indicators will be included in multiple groups. All together, there are 17 indicator groups divided among the four categories of Education, Income, Health, and Basic Needs. The measures included in this report were chosen by a United Way of Lane County Research and Evaluation Committee, composed of knowledgeable community researchers, practitioners, and volunteers, which has supervised the collection and reporting of community information for 20 years. Guidance was also provided by the executive committees from each of the three Strategic Areas and the United Way Associate Directors for Education, Income, and Health. The indicators included in this report are intended to :
Data was collected from a wide range of federal, state, and local sources. Every attempt has been made to provide the most recent and comprehensive data for each indicator. Where possible, indicators are segmented or disaggregated to focus attention on United Way’s Promise Neighborhoods (PN)*. Tables with Promise Neighborhood specific data are highlighted with the use of a colored background. (*The Lane County Promise Neighborhoods are two areas in our community selected as sites for piloting promising strategies to improve outcomes for children; identifying effective strategies, programs, and activities; and developing sustainable methods for expansion. Eugene’s Bethel/Trainsong Promise Neighborhood is defined as the catchment areas for Fairfield and Malabon Elementary Schools and the Springfield Promise Neighborhood is defined as the catchment areas surrounding the Twin Rivers/Dos Rios and Maple Elementary Schools. Neighborhoods were identified using needs-related data, community readiness and population size.)
• Reflect broad countywide interests which impact a significant percentage of the population. • Illustrate fundamental factors that underlie longterm regional quality-of-life. • Be easily understood and accepted by the community. • Represent statistically measurable data that is both reliable and available over the long-term.
United Way of Lane County 3171 Gateway Loop, Springfield, OR 97477 541.741.6000 www.unitedwaylane.org
United Way of Lane County’s Community Indicators Report 2012
Introduction – 3
Summary United Way of Lane County’s Community Indicators Report 2012
Lane County has faced strong challenges since the last time these Indicators were reported. Of the 18 Leading Community Indicator categories presented in this report, only three show improvement since 2008, while five are holding steady, two are mixed, and eight have worsened from the previous years. This shouldn’t come as a surprise, given the impact of the 2008 recession on employment, incomes, and economic growth. But what may not be readily apparent is the degree to which the negative impacts of the recession have flowed into other strategic areas. Declines in the indicators for education, income, health, and basic needs, over the last five years have not occurred independently of each other. At their core, these indicators report the impacts of community conditions on people and families. We see Lane County families as the common denominator that links these separate pieces of data into a coherent story. Parents recognize their importance as their children’s first and most important teachers, but the need to earn a sustainable wage often forces all the adults in a family to work. With no adult at home, the children are placed into a child care system which is already stretched. To compound the problem, a minimum wage worker can wind up spending more than 50% of their income on the child care they need because they are working.
Figures from Eugene’s and Springfield’s lowest-income neighborhoods show that a higher percentage of children enter school without the skills to learn and succeed compared to their peers from other areas. This extends on to 3rd grade, where the students are suffering in their reading and math proficiency scores. By the time they reach high school, these kids are more likely to drop out, and fewer will go on to college. Those who drop out will enter the work force with the prospect of earning an average wage of about $20,000 a year. Those who finish high school will do a little better, earning about $25,000 a year. If these young men or women go on to finish college, they will likely earn closer to $30,000; a third more than their friends who drop out. Even at $30,000 a year, it’s difficult to get to the end of the month with money left over. For those who start a family, they will have a mortgage or rent to pay, mouths to feed, clothes to purchase, utilities to cover, and gasoline to buy. If they want to live in a market-rate apartment or average priced home, the cost can consume more than 30% of their income, making them housing insecure. Under this kind of financial pressure, all the adults in the family will continue working to make ends meet. But in Lane County, more jobs have disappeared since 2008 than have been created, and living-wage jobs are even harder to find. Fortunately, with their degrees, the unemployment rate for college graduates is only about 6.5%. For high school graduates, it’s closer to 16%. Many Lane County families have only one adult who can work. In order to succeed, these families must get by on what that one person alone can earn.
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United Way of Lane County’s Community Indicators Report 2012
Fortunately, many working families will have access to some level of health insurance through their employer, and can find a physician to serve them if they try. If the mother becomes pregnant, she has a better prospect of receiving adequate prenatal care and the chance that she will deliver a low or very-low birth weight child is smaller than it was a few years ago. Even so, an increasing number of adults will use tobacco, eat poor diets, suffer from diabetes, asthma, or be significantly over weight. Adults reporting fair or poor health has climbed since 2009. If they smoke, they are at risk for cardiovascular disease, cancer, and respiratory issues. This can cause their productivity to go down and their health costs to go up. Life is challenging for the low to moderate wage earner in Lane County. The Oregon Self-Sufficiency Rate of $43,190 a year for a family of four means a single wage earner should have at least a master’s degree to get by. If not, both adults will need to work. If one worker loses their job, the whole family suffers. A problem with housing, child care, employment, domestic violence, or medical emergencies can push lower wage earners into a crisis quickly, and without adequate savings, they can lose their housing and wind up on a friend’s couch, or worse, on the street. The number of people categorized as homeless has increased significantly over the last several years. Even after the recovery from a major spike in 2010, homelessness still stands at levels higher than 2006. For most, this homelessness is defined as “situational,” the result of an unfortunate event and a condition the individuals and families want to escape as quickly as possible. Local human services agencies work to help these people with food, emergency shelter, transitional housing, counseling, and emergency medical care. With help, many will escape
their homelessness and regain an acceptable living. For others, this temporary position may become more long-term. A smaller percentage of homeless individuals (about 30%) are categorized as “chronic,” and go without stable housing for more than a year. Chronically homeless individuals frequently suffer from drug and alcohol problems, or have emotional and developmental disabilities. They are at-risk for behavioral and social problems. Service providers tell us these people will often avoid traditional human service networks and live on the street, under bridges, along the river, or in parks and open spaces. In 2011, The Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Department mandated one-night homeless count identified 2,140 homeless people in Lane County. Of these 1,406 had no shelter and were forced to live on the street. 633 individuals were classified as chronic. 254 homeless individuals were veterans and 190 family groups were included in the count. Overall crime in Lane County is down and people are actually safer than they were in 2006. But when asked their perceptions in community conversations, many people will say they don’t feel any safer. In a couple of areas, they are right. Criminal domestic violence is up. Child abuse and neglect claims are up as are Juvenile referrals. Is this the community we aspire to live in? Is our vision of our community consistent with this reality? This report represents a snapshot of Lane County as it exists today, using several key community indicators as the measure. It’s where we are today. Where we go from here is up to us. View or download this report at www.unitedwaylane.org/what-we-do/reports/ community-indicators-report-2012
United Way of Lane County 3171 Gateway Loop, Springfield, OR 97477 541.741.6000 www.unitedwaylane.org United Way of Lane County’s Community Indicators Report 2012
Summary – 3
Education United Way of Lane County’s Community Indicators Report 2012
Research shows that success in school depends heavily on a positive early childhood experience. Programs which help ensure that children receive the very best start in school are a good investment in promoting later academic and career success. The indicators in the Education section reflect those elements which significantly influence children as they prepare for their entry into the school system. Children entering school “ready to learn” have the best chance of maintaining their grade level, staying in school, getting a diploma, and advancing to higher education. • According to an Oregon Department of Education kindergarten survey, 60% of the students entering kindergarten in Lane County in 1998 were “ready to learn.” • State proficiency scores indicate that by 3rd grade only 87.9% of Lane County students met their reading proficiency requirements and only 80.7% had met math proficiency requirements. • By the 8th grade, reading proficiency had dropped to 67.5% while math proficiency declined to 68.7%. • By 2011, 67.4% of the students had earned a high school diploma or equivalent. • By the of Fall 2011, only half of Lane County’s 2011 graduates were enrolled in college. • The 2010 Annual Median Income for a worker with a high school diploma or equivalent was about $21,000, well below the poverty threshold for a family of four with two children. • At the same time, a worker with a Bachelor’s degree could expect to earn about $30,000 a year.
Current Trends Worse Indicator: Availability of Child Care
Steady Indicator: Early Literacy Skills
Steady Indicator: 3rd and 8th Grade Reading and Math Proficiency
Worse Indicator: High School Completion and College Continuation
Indicator: Parental Support Description of Indicator This indicator uses data from the 2011-12 LaneKids Parent Survey which measures parental attitudes about their role in their child’s early development (Tables 1, 2, & 3). The Parent Survey was conducted by United Way of Lane County’s LaneKids initiative, a project funded by the Oregon Parenting Education Consortium. 1,021 parents of young children across the county completed the survey.
Why It’s important Parents are generally their children’s first and most important teachers. Promoting strong parenting skills and parental support systems is a critical strategy for ensuring that all children enter school ready to learn.
How is the community doing? • In the 2011-2012 parent Survey, less than half of the parents surveyed responded “Very True” to the statement “I feel supported in my role as a parent.” • 98% of the parents agree that “reading is important to school readiness,” and 90% feel this statement is “Very True.” • 100% of the respondents also agreed that “parents should be involved in their child’s education,” and again, nine out of ten agree this statement is “Very True.” • Close to half the parents who responded to the survey use the Oregon Health Plan or qualify for the federal free and reduced lunch Program. 64.5% take advantage of local libraries.
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United Way of Lane County’s Community Indicators Report 2012
Indicator: Availability of Child Care Description of Indicator This indicator uses state and county data regarding childcare quality, accessibility, and costs as measures of early childhood education have also been included (Table 1).
Why It’s important Quality childcare is beyond the reach of many working parents. High costs, conflicting schedules, and challenging locations become significant factors in the decision by parents to place their child in less educational, more informal childcare situations (Source: Children First for Oregon).
How is the community doing? • After a peak in available childcare slots in 2007, the number of available slots in Lane County has declined to a 2011 level of about 19 slots per 100 children. This number is significantly below the state’s goal of 25 slots per 100 children. • At this same time, the number of childcare slots available to families in the Springfield Promise Neighborhood averaged only 5.2 slots per 100 children. • The average cost to maintain a toddler in childcare now exceeds 50% of the annual income of a minimum wage worker (About $9,000 per year). This is more than the one-year instate college tuition (Source: Children First for Oregon). • At the present time, only 69% of the children in Lane County who are eligible to enroll in Head Start are actually enrolled.
Indicator: Early Literacy Skills Description of Indicator In 2010 United Way of Lane County began collecting early literacy data from school districts across Lane County who use the Dynamic Indicators of Early Literacy Skills (DIBELS) or the EasyCBM early literacy assessments (Table 1). These tools assess the early literacy skills (letter recognition, sound fluency, and print familiarity) of children entering kindergarten into the following categories: at or above benchmark; some risk; and high risk for failure to learn to read by 3rd grade.
Why It’s important Pre-literacy skills are well-documented as early indicators of a student’s educational success. Children who enter kindergarten with these early skills are more likely to graduate on time and continue into higher education.
How is the community doing? • A significant number of the Lane County children entering kindergarten are at risk for not being able to learn to read proficiently by 3rd grade. • In Fall 2011, 54% of children entering kindergarten in Lane County did not meet the early literacy benchmark, with 27% being at risk for not achieving basic reading skills by 3rd grade. This is down 2% from 2010. • In the Promise Neighborhoods, 82% of children entering kindergarten did not meet the early literacy benchmark and 51% were at high risk for reading failure in 2010. • By 2011, entering kindergarteners were at 81% and 43% respectively, and an 8% decrease in the number of children at high risk for not being able to learn to read by 3rd grade.
United Way of Lane County’s Community Indicators Report 2012
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Indicator: 3rd and 8th Grade Reading and Math Proficiency Description of Indicator This indicator measures academic performance using the Oregon Standards Test in Reading-Literature (Table 1 & 2) and Mathematics (Tables 3 & 4). These reports show the proportion of students testing as proficient or better in core academic disciplines. The sharp dip in 2007 scores for 3rd grade, however, reflects a change in the proficiency standards for that year and does not compare directly to the other years. This is noted on the tables with a caret^.
Why It’s important Tracking academic performance enables school administrators to evaluate how well Lane County schools are doing at meeting state standards and achieving academic benchmarks, while at the same time allowing them to assess how well individual students are doing at performing to the standard in core academic disciplines.
How is the community doing? • State, county, and local 3rd Grade reading proficiency scores have remained fairly stable over the last several years. • During this same period, 8th grade reading proficiency remains below the 3rd grade levels, but has experienced some steady gains. • Math scores follow a similar trend, but at a lower overall achievement level than reading. • Recent changes in Annual Yearly Progress (AYP) standards have resulted in a significant drop in math scores at both grade levels for the 2010-11 school year. Because the drop is the result of a change in the measure and not a drop in academic performance, these scores cannot be fairly compared against previous years. The 2011 year has been marked with an asterisk* to note this difference.
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United Way of Lane County’s Community Indicators Report 2012
Indicator: High School Completion and College Continuation Description of Indicator This indicator uses graduation cohort data to determine high school completion trends (Table 1). Cohorts are defined by the Oregon Department of Education as all students who enter high school in the same year and who progress to the end of their fourth year. College continuation rates for the 2011 cohort are also included (Table 2). Data for 2012 was not available to include in the 4-Year Cohort Completion Rate.
Why it’s important Developing a “cradle to career” continuum, which begins with a child’s healthy early development, promotes success in the classroom and leads to graduation from high school on time, is one of the best ways to help youth progress toward higher education, and eventual entry into a career.
How is the community doing? • High school graduation rates have declined in Lane County over the last year, but they still remain higher than state averages. • The rate of students completing high school in four years declined across both the county and within the Promise Neighborhoods between 2010 and 2011. • The number of high school or equivalent graduates continuing on to college is similar between the county and the state, but drops significantly within the Promise Neighborhoods and is particularly low in Springfield. View or download this report at www.unitedwaylane.org/what-we-do/reports/ community-indicators-report-2012
United Way of Lane County 3171 Gateway Loop, Springfield, OR 97477 541.741.6000 www.unitedwaylane.org United Way of Lane County’s Community Indicators Report 2012
Education – 5
Income United Way of Lane County’s Community Indicators Report 2012
In Lane County, the cost of housing, health care, child care, gas, food, and other bills, frequently surpasses family incomes. Many families are barely getting by, even working multiple jobs. The indicators in this section reflect housing, employment, and earnings data that tell a story of the financial stability facing individuals and families in Lane County. However, having a job, and securing a home isn’t always enough. The ability to retain these assets through access to mainstream financial services and using good financial management skills are also key ingredients in building long-term financial stability. • More than 40% of Lane County families are at risk of financial instability because they are paying more than 30% of their monthly income on housing. • Wages are not keeping up with fundamental expenses, such as housing. This is especially true for renters who must pay a larger and larger percentage of their income to stay in their apartments. • After the high levels experienced during the recession, unemployment in Lane County is beginning to fall, except for those with only a high school diploma. For this group, the changing workplace is offering fewer and fewer options.
Current Trends Steady Indicator: Household Incomes in Lane County
Worse Indicator: Employment, Education and Earnings
Worse Indicator: Impact of Housing Costs on Financial Stability
Worse Indicator: Area Employment and Job Growth
Indicator: Household Incomes in Lane County Description of Indicator Oregon Self-sufficiency is defined as an annual median household income that meets or exceeds 193% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) adjusted for family size. The following indicator measures the median household income (Table 1) and the percentage of families in each income level (Table 2). Since utility costs associated with heat, electricity, and water represent an essential component in a family’s budget, the number of families being served by the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), designed to help families with utility costs is also reported (Table 3).
Why it’s important Many families are barely getting by, even with multiple family members working more than one job. The cost of housing, health care, child care, gas, and other basics is far surpassing average family incomes. This indicator begins to look at the financial challenge many Lane County families face, in spite of their working status, in getting to the end of the month with money left over.
How is the community doing? Median household incomes in Lane County continue to lag behind the Oregon Self-Sufficiency Standard for 2011, making it difficult to meet long-term financial stability needs. In 2011, the median annual household income was $40,584, nearly $3,000 short of the 2011 Standard of $43,190 for a family of 4 with 2 children. • The percentage of families making less than $35,000 increased 10% between 2010 and 2011. • Nearly 3% of families are taking advantage of the Low-Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP).
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United Way of Lane County’s Community Indicators Report 2012 – Income Summary
Indicator: Employment, Education and Earnings Description of Indicator This indicator measures educational attainment (Table 1) and median earnings based on education level for Lane County residents 25 years and older (Table 2). Since academic attainment is a predictor of future economic success, unemployment data in Lane County, reported by education level is also included (Table 3).
Why it’s important Educational attainment directly influences higher earnings and better job placement. These factors contribute significantly to a healthy local economy. Conversely, this indicator becomes significant when evaluating unemployment statistics and noting that rates of unemployment decrease with each increasing level of educational achievement.
How is the community doing? With Oregon’s Self-Sufficiency Rate at $43,190 (for a family of 4 with 2 children), the tables indicate that only those with a Master’s degree or higher have a better than average chance to earn enough money to make ends meet. • Only 30% of Lane County residents have a Bachelors degree or higher and for the other 70%, median wages tend to be less than $30,000. • Workers with less than a high school diploma had the highest unemployment rates (19%) in 2010, up from 7.5% in 2006. • Despite decreasing unemployment over the last 2 years, individuals with a high school diploma have seen increased unemployment. • The tables show that the recession is not the only reason for higher unemployment. The basic restructuring of the workplace, which now requires higher levels of education to operate, is a significant contributor to unemployment and financial instability. United Way of Lane County’s Community Indicators Report 2012
Income – 3
Indicator: Impact of Housing Costs on Financial Stability Indicator This indicator looks at housing costs as a percentage of household income which is used to determine the percentage of families experiencing “Cost Burden” in Lane County (Table 1). It also measures the hourly wage a resident needs to afford “Fair Market Rent” for a two-bedroom unit (Table 2).
Why it’s important Even with declining home values and record low interest rates resulting from the recession, housing affordability in Lane County continues to have a negative impact on family financial stability. A good indicator of financial stability is the percentage of family income spent on housing, typically a family’s largest expense. Housing expenses that exceed 30% of the family’s net monthly income (as defined by HUD) creates a significant risk of financial instability. If housing costs rise faster than wages, we see many families struggling to pay additional expenses like health care, child care, gas and other basic needs.
How is the community doing? The disparity between average hourly wage and the wage needed to afford a two bedroom unit at Fair Market Rent continues to grow in Lane County. Between 2010 and 2011, the additional hourly wage necessary to cover basic expenses increased by $1.22, while the average hourly wage for Lane County renters decreased by 51 cents. • Nearly 45% of Lane County families are at risk of financial instability; that means paying 30% or more of their household income on housing. • Housing cost has continued to outpace the mean renter hourly wage earnings in Lane County. • In 2011, the hourly wage required to afford a 2 bedroom unit at Fair Market Rent ($14.73) exceeds minimum wage ($8.50) by 85%.
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United Way of Lane County’s Community Indicators Report 2012 – Income Summary
Indicator: Area Employment and Job Growth Description of Indicator This indicator uses Census and Bureau of Labor Statistics data to measure unemployment rates (Table 1) and job growth/loss trends across Oregon and the county (Table 2). A comparison of annual average wages is also included (Table 3).
Why it’s important Lane County unemployment rates remain higher than normal, even as they continue to recover from recessionary levels. However, the recession is not the only factor influencing unemployment levels. It is also important to look at unemployment rates as they compare to other indicators such as education level and net job growth or loss. These comparisons help tell a fuller story about the struggle to find jobs in Lane County as noted in the section on Household Incomes.
How is the community doing? Lane County has seen a four-year trend of net job loss and, unemployment has also trended downward during that same time frame. • The total number of available jobs declined rapidly after 2007 at both the state and local level. Job loss in Lane County slowed in 2010 with 2011 showing a minimal job loss. • Unemployment rates in Lane County have remained consistent with state trends, with the highest unemployment rates occurring in 2009 and steadily declining since. View or download this report at www.unitedwaylane.org/what-we-do/reports/ community-indicators-report-2012
United Way of Lane County 3171 Gateway Loop, Springfield, OR 97477 541.741.6000 www.unitedwaylane.org United Way of Lane County’s Community Indicators Report 2012
Income – 5
Health United Way of Lane County’s Community Indicators Report 2012
The health of Lane County residents extends beyond fundamental access to health care. Many of Lane County’s families are struggling with economic hardship, and economic hardship has a direct correlation to a person or their family being able to afford health insurance and their ability to maintain a healthy lifestyle. Research shows that both adults and children living below self-sufficiency levels tend to have higher levels of obesity and, as a consequence, obesity-related diseases. These individuals face greater challenges in achieving higher education goals, and exhibit higher levels of domestic stress. The indicators in the Health section reflect data about access to basic health care in Lane County. It presents select information about the basic health status of children, expectant mothers, and adults. Some information relates to conditions which result from behavioral choices, such as obesity, tobacco use, and sexually transmitted infections. • 22.6% of Lane County adult residents had no health insurance in 2011. • According to the Oregon Health Department, 23.6% of Lane County pregnant women did not receive prenatal care during their first trimester in 2010. • In 2009, 30% of adults and 25% of children were considered clinically obese. • The Oregon Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System notes that 18.2% of Lane County adults did not engage in any regular physical activity in 2010.
Current Trends Better Indicator: Access to Health Insurance
Mixed Indicator: Children’s Health
Steady Indicator: Access to Health Care Services
Worse Indicator: Adult Health
Better Indicator: Prenatal and Infant Health
Steady Indicator: Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections
Indicator: Access to Health Insurance Description of Indicator This indicator is based on the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) Health Survey. It measures the proportion of adults who had some health insurance coverage at the time of the survey (Table 1). Included are adult Oregon Health Plan (Medicaid) enrollment trends at both the state and county level (Table 2) and a breakdown of people who are uninsured by age group (Table 3).
Why It’s important Access to quality health care is heavily influenced by health insurance coverage. Due to the high cost of health care, individuals who have health insurance are more likely to seek routine medical care and to take advantage of preventative health screening services than those without such coverage. (Source: Institute of Medicine, 2002, “Care Without Coverage: Too Little, Too Late”) Individuals lacking health insurance are significantly more likely to delay care for minor medical issues until they become serious and require emergency care.
How is the community doing? Lane County ranks 13th in Oregon for the percentage of population under age 65 without health insurance. • After reaching a peak in 2010, the uninsured rate for adults has begun to decline, with the rate in Lane County falling to a level below the state, and close to the national level (Table 3). • Adult enrollment in the Oregon Health Plan system has declined steadily between 2005 and 2009. • In most categories, insurance coverage rates in Lane County are lower than the overall state average from 2002 to 2009.
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United Way of Lane County’s Community Indicators Report 2012
Indicator: Access to Health Care Services Description of Indicator This indicator reflects the adequacy and availability of health care providers to residents based on the number of providers available per person (Table 1) and the utilization of emergency departments for care services, in both numbers and cost (Tables 2 & 3). This indicator also reports the number of individuals served by Safety Net Providers – community-based clinics and offices which offer health care services to low-income individuals (Table 4).
Why It’s important Access to comprehensive, quality health care services is important as a alternative to expensive emergency department use, but also advances the goal of ensuring equal access to health care for all residents in Lane County. Individuals who do not have access to adequate health care are significantly more likely to delay treatment for minor medical issues until their condition becomes serious enough to require emergency care. This results in higher family medical costs and puts additional strains on already constrained incomes. Individuals who lack access to adequate health care are more likely to miss work, be less productive on the job, and possibly develop more serious chronic health conditions later in life.
How is the community doing? According to Lane County Healthcare Safety Net Data, 35% of the nearly 50,000 Lane County residents served by safety net clinics in Lane County in 2010, were youth under the age of 20. • After climbing a tenth of a percent from 2007 to 2008, the number of physicians available in Lane County has remained steady at 2.4 per 1,000. As the median age of the county population increases, the need for physicians to serve that aging population will likely also increase.
United Way of Lane County’s Community Indicators Report 2012
Health – 3
• From 2005-2007, emergency department charges and utilization by the uninsured increased slightly. During that same time, however, the cost of providing emergency care increased significantly. • A significant number of the patients served through the local safety net clinic system lacked health insurance. Only a fraction of these patients were enrolled in the Oregon Health Plan (Table 4).
Indicator: Prenatal and Infant Health Description of Indicator This indicator shows the percent of mothers who received inadequate prenatal care in Oregon and Lane County. It also reports the percentage of babies born at Low Birth Weight (LBW) and Very Low Birth Weight (VLBW). Birth weight is a useful measure of the mothers nutrition and health and can serve as a predictor of the newborn’s risk for post-natal development issues. Tobacco use among expectant mothers is also reported as a predictor of adverse pregnancy and birth events.
Why It’s important Early prenatal care provides a costeffective and efficient way to prevent, detect and treat maternal and fetal medical problems. Late or non-existent prenatal care substantially increases the likelihood that an infant will require admission to a neonatal intensive care unit after birth or require a longer stay in the hospital in general, creating a substantial cost burden to the family and the health care system. Tobacco use during pregnancy has been linked by several studies to an increased risk of premature births, low birth weight newborns, and increased infant mortality rates.
How is the community doing? • The percentage of expectant mothers receiving inadequate health care during their pregnancy is declining.
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United Way of Lane County’s Community Indicators Report 2012
• Very Low Birth Weight rates in Lane County have dropped dramatically between 2006 and 2010 and are now below statewide rates. In contrast, the total of Low Birth Weight babies born is still higher than the state average. • According to the Oregon Health Department, Infant mortality rates in Lane County have dropped significantly from 2008 to 2010. • Prenatal tobacco use by birth mothers declined slightly in 2008, but has risen again. The rate in Lane County is significantly higher than the state average. • In 2008, Lane County’s teen pregnancy rate was nearly double the state average but showed significant declines to a level below the state average in 2009 and 2010.
Indicator: Children’s Health Description of Indicator This indicator measures childhood health based on such measures as child immunization rates by age two (Table 1), childhood obesity rates (Table 2), and the number of teens attempting suicide (Table 3). The immunization data is based on the reported number of two-years-olds who have completed the recommended 4:3:1:3:3 vaccination series as well as one dose of the Varicella (Chicken Pox) vaccine.
Why It’s important Children who are healthy and active are generally more likely to do well in school. According to the Centers for Disease Control, children who become obese in early life are highly likely to remain obese as adults, significantly increasing their risk for heart disease, Type 2 Diabetes, stroke, and several types of cancer. In addition, a child’s ability to maintain their health through physical activity can be significantly impacted by chronic respiratory problems, such as asthma, and other diseases which can be prevented through immunization.
How is the community doing? The percentage of two-year-olds with up-to-date immunizations in Lane County (Table 1) was below state trends in 2006, 2007, and 2008.
Encouragingly, an increase from 2009 to 2010, has nearly closed this gap. • Obesity rates among Lane County’s children (Table 2) declined slightly in 2009, with only 25% of children determined to have a Body Mass Index of 30 or more, recognized by the American Medical Association as a primary measure of obesity. • Disturbingly, suicide attempts among youth in Lane County (Table 3) increased in 2006, 2007, and 2010 and were well above state averages.
United Way of Lane County’s Community Indicators Report 2012
Health – 5
Indicator: Adult Health Description of Indicator This indicator measures adult health by looking at the prevalence of chronic conditions (Tables 1 & 2), the number of deaths related to chronic conditions (Table 3) and self-reported health status (Table 4). Data was collected through the Behavioral Risk Factors Surveillance Survey (BRFSS) and the Oregon Vital Statistics County Data Book. Other indicators of adult health include mortality rates linked to tobacco use (Table 5) and obesity among adults (Table 6).
Why It’s important Healthy workers are important for the long-term financial stability of both the family and the county. Chronic conditions can lead to excessive hospital bills, missed work, reduced earning power, and a lower quality of life (Source: Hwang, W. et al. “Out of Pocket Medical Spending for Care of Chronic Conditions” Health Affairs Vol. 20 No. 6).
6 – Health
United Way of Lane County’s Community Indicators Report 2012
How is the community doing? Conditions resulting from some chronic diseases in Lane County are on the decline, but overall, the report is mixed. • Diabetes rates declined significantly in 2007, but climbed again in 2008 and remained at higher levels in 2009 and 2010. • Asthma in the Eugene, Springfield Metro Area were higher than the state average in 2010. • Death rates related to heart disease have declined slowly from 2007 to 2010, but deaths from Chronic Lower Respiratory Conditions (CLRD) and high blood pressure remained steady. • In 2011, 7,000 deaths in Oregon could be associated with tobacco use. This exceeds the next eight causes of death combined, by 2,000 people. • After experiencing a gradual decline between 2007 and 2009, obesity rates in Lane County rose sharply in 2010.
United Way of Lane County’s Community Indicators Report 2012
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Indicator: Prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections Description of Indicator This indicator reflects the overall prevalence of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) by age group (Table 1), while breaking out the specific rate of some key ST Infections in Oregon and Lane County (Tables 2, & 3). This indicator also reports the rate of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection in Lane County (Table 4).
Why It’s important The prevalence of STIs and HIV infections, particularly among young adults, is frequently used as a measure of serious at-risk behaviors, such as unprotected sex and intravenous drug use among general residents and target populations. These measures serve to help us understand the effectiveness of educational outreach to particular populations and determine if additional intervention should be taken.
How is the community doing? • According to the Oregon Health Authority, STI prevalence is higher among teens and young adults, significantly so in 2008, 2009, and 2010. • Gonorrhea rates have fluctuated in recent years but are now trending upward. • While Chlamydia rates for the state have seen an overall increase since 2008, Lane County rates have held steady, or slightly decreased over the same period, resulting in a rate that is nearly half the state average in 2010. • Diagnosis of HIV infection was fairly stable from 2007 to 2010.
United Way of Lane County 3171 Gateway Loop, Springfield, OR 97477 541.741.6000 www.unitedwaylane.org 8 – Health
United Way of Lane County’s Community Indicators Report 2012
View or download this report at www.unitedwaylane.org/what-we-do/reports/ community-indicators-report-2012
Basic Needs United Way of Lane County’s Community Indicators Report 2012
Many individuals and families in Lane County find themselves pushed from economic stability into a frightening and uncertain world where they cannot make ends meet due to lost jobs, unexpected medical issues, domestic turmoil, or a host of other interconnected conditions. Basic Needs are the conditions which are fundamental to maintaining life and safety. They include Food, Shelter, Safety, Medical Care, and the ability to Access these services. People who do not have the ability to meet their Basic Needs are vulnerable to physical and mental crisis. The indicators in the Basic Needs section reflect fundamental challenges to food, shelter and safety, but it is also important to note that several of the key indicators in the Strategic sections also bear an influence on this category (Emergency department utilization under Health for example). Basic Needs extends beyond the tables in this section to reflect an undercurrent which runs throughout this report. • According the Department of Human Services, 74,342 reports of abuse and neglect were filed in Oregon in 2011. 32,328 were referred for investigation. Of the 7,492 founded referrals, involving 11,599 victims, 48.3% were younger than six. • In 46.8% of child abuse and neglect cases, alcohol or drug use is an issue. Domestic violence was an issue in 35.2% of the cases. • The January 2011 HUD one-night homeless count in Lane County identified 2,140 people as homeless. Of these, 1,406 had no shelter and were forced to sleep in the open. This number is lower than the 3,959 people who were homeless in 2010, including 2,503 people who had no shelter.
Current Trends Better Indicator: Lane County Crime Statistics
Worse Indicator: Basic Food and Shelter Options in Lane County
Worse Indicator: Family Violence and Abuse
Mixed Indicator: Status of Lane County’s Elderly Population
Indicator: Lane County Crime Statistics Description of Indicator This indicator uses the Oregon Uniform Crime Reports to track state and regional crime rate trends as a proportion of the total population. It includes overall rates for property, behavioral, and personal crimes (Tables 1 & 2). It also includes juvenile criminal and non-criminal referrals (those entering the justice system through mechanisms other than criminal arrest) as an additional factor in the analysis of public safety (Tables 3 & 4).
Why it’s important Crime, both real and perceived, is a significant issue for those struggling economically. Data-led reporting programs used by the Eugene police show that lower income neighborhoods often experience higher crime rates than more affluent areas. Communities with historically high crime rates also deal with the lingering perception that personal safety is still an issue, even after actual crime rates have decreased. Tracking juvenile arrest data also helps illuminate the full extent of crime in Lane County and the degree to which youth contribute to that crime.
How is the community doing? While Oregon’s overall crime rate has declined steadily since 2006, Lane County experienced a surge in 2008. The Lane County rate is again declining, but it still remains above the state average. • Property crimes rates among adults experienced a singular and significant jump in 2008, but have since returned to earlier levels. • Juvenile referral rates experienced a sharp decline in 2007, but are now stable and have remained at about the same level for five years. • Personal crime rates among juveniles are seeing an increase in Lane County even as state juvenile crime rates continue to fall.
2 – Basic Needs
United Way of Lane County’s Community Indicators Report 2012
Indicator: Basic Food and Shelter Options in Lane County Description of indicator This indicator looks at the number and condition of homeless individuals in Lane County. Data is based on the annual Housing and Urban Development Department (HUD) mandated one-night homeless count in Lane County (Tables 1 & 2). Food security is measured by the number of students eligible for free and reduced lunch and FOOD for Lane County’s receipts for food assistance to households and students (Table 3 & 4).
Why it’s important Poverty and homelessness contribute to a variety of issues that can have a lasting impact in the community. Homeless people are more vulnerable to abuse with homeless women experiencing higher rates of sexual abuse (Source: National Law Center on Homelessness and Poverty). Children are particularly prone to long-term impacts from even temporary homelessness. Homeless children suffer higher rates of chronic health issues, such as asthma, than other children their age (Source: Rafferty and Marybeth, “The Impact of Homelessness on Children,” The American Psychologist).
How is the community doing? • 2,285 homeless students attended public school in Lane County during the 2010-2011 school year. • The number of school-age children at-risk due to food insecurity (limited or uncertain availability of nutritionally adequate and safe food) remains over 40%. • 33% of FOOD for Lane County supplied food box recipients are families with children. • As of December 2009, 3,000 Lane County families were on the Housing and Community Services Agency (HACSA) waiting list for low-income housing. Over half the families on the list had children. United Way of Lane County’s Community Indicators Report 2012
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• The current average wait time for HACSA housing is 18 months. • According to the 2010 Consolidated Plan, 20% of all Eugene households live in poverty. 18% of all Springfield households are in poverty. • US Census data indicates that the number of available housing units is not increasing at the same rate as the population or the growth of area households.
Indicator: Family Violence and Abuse Description of Indicator This indicator tracks confirmed child abuse and neglect reports (Table 1) and the number of domestic disturbance calls for assistance (Tables 2 & 3). Data is compiled from the Lane County Sheriff’s Office and the Services to Children and Family’s “Child Abuse and Neglect Report.”
Why it’s important Domestic violence threatens the physical and emotional wellbeing of women and children in particular, and can have a lasting negative impact. Escaping a dangerous situation can leave an abused person homeless, with no job or shelter outside the human services system. Children are especially vulnerable since they frequently lack the experience or the skills to live on their own, rendering them susceptible to criminal and sexual predators.
How is the community doing? • Lane County significantly reduced its rate of child abuse for a number of years following a spate of high-profile child abuse cases in the 1990’s. Unfortunately, the number of domestic violence and child abuse cases has risen steadily since 2008. • Lane County’s child abuse and neglect rates now surpass the state average and continue to climb. • The number of domestic disturbance incidents reported to police agencies has increased since 2008, particularly calls related to children. However, since 2009 the number of domestic violence calls to non-police agencies has declined. 4 – Basic Needs
United Way of Lane County’s Community Indicators Report 2012
Indicator: Status of Lane County’s Elderly Population Description of Indicator This indicator measures the total number of seniors (Age 65 years or older) that live independently (Table 1), either alone (Table 2) or in a family household setting (Table 3). For the purpose of this indicator, seniors living in a family household setting are only considered independent if they are the head of the household or the spouse.
Why it’s important A number of studies link community attachment (exemplified for older adults by independent living) with indicators of physical and mental health and well-being. For example, an AARP study correlates a lack of community attachment among seniors with depression and increased death from coronary disease. Unfortunately, as people age, community attachment is often lost if the individual is forced to move into nursing care or can no longer afford their home. By promoting the strategy of “aging in place,” the community can reduce service needs and retain a more engaged population.
How is the community doing? The number of seniors living alone continues to climb. • The percentage of Lane County seniors living independently declined somewhat in 2008, but bounced back the following year. In 2011, the number again declined. • The percentage of Lane County seniors whose independence is characterized by living alone has increased significantly since 2007, and is now higher than the state average. This indicator does not reflect whether living alone is a matter of choice or necessity. • The number of seniors living as the head of a household has declined significantly since 2009 and appears to be on an overall downward trend.
View or download this report at www.unitedwaylane.org/what-we-do/reports/ community-indicators-report-2012
United Way of Lane County 3171 Gateway Loop, Springfield, OR 97477 541.741.6000 www.unitedwaylane.org United Way of Lane County’s Community Indicators Report 2012
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