Below you can read our findings based on our various sources of data. If you would like to dig deeper into a specific subject, select a category from the menu to the left below Community Dashboard.
October, 2016
Promote Preventive Screenings for Female Breast Health in Southeastern Pennsylvania
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, an annual campaign to increase awareness of the disease and to encourage preventive measures and early detection. According to the Pennsylvania Department of Health, Bureau of Health Statistics and Research, in 2008-2012, (the most recent years available) – 3,204 women in Southeastern Pennsylvania were diagnosed with breast cancer, and an average of 664 of those women died from the disease. The mortality rate from female breast cancer in Southeastern Pennsylvania is 25.6 deaths per 100,000 women. This does not meet the Healthy People 2020 goal of 20.7 deaths per 100,000 women.
November, 2016
Cigarette Smoking in Southeastern Pennsylvania
The American Cancer Society’s Great American Smokeout, which will be taking place on Thursday, November 17th, encourages smokers to use the date to make a plan to quit, or to plan in advance and quit smoking that day. According to the American Cancer Society (ACS), by quitting—even for one day—smokers will be taking an important step towards a healthier life and reducing their cancer risk. In the United States, tobacco use remains the single largest preventable cause of disease and premature death. Yet, some 42 million Americans, 17% of adults, still smoke cigarettes.
July, 2016
Physical Activity Among Adults in Southeastern Pennsylvania
With summer underway, many adults are taking advantage of this warmer weather by being more active outdoors. There are numerous benefits to regular physical activity, including:
- Improving chronic medical conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease;
- Improving the ability to perform daily tasks;
- Decreasing risk for osteoporosis and cardiovascular disease; and
- Decreasing risk of early death
Nationwide, about half of adults do not meet the recommended levels of physical activity despite a growing body of evidence about the benefits from being physically active [1]. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that individuals should aim to engage in some form of physical activity at least three times a week along with eating a healthier diet.
Using data from PHMC’s Community Health Data Base 2015 Southeastern Pennsylvania (SEPA) Household Health Survey, the following article examines adults 18 years of age or older and their exercise habits/behaviors.
September, 2016
PHMC's Community Health Data Base: Utilizing Big Data for Small Area Strategic Planning
Do you ever wonder how to create meaningful public health programs with the scarce resources that are available? The best way to ensure that resources are used most effectively is to utilize real time and objective data to develop strategy to drive business development decisions. Data-driven program development supports the alignment of services with the needs of the market. The outcome is sound business practices related to increasing market share and controlling costs. Now more than ever, to sustain long-term profitability, organizations need to rethink the role of data in corporate-wide planning and development efforts.
June, 2016
Men's Health Week: A Look at High Blood Pressure
National Men’s Health Week, celebrated every year during the week leading up to and including Father’s Day, it is important to remind ourselves and be aware of the health risks that affect the men in our lives. These risks encompass a wide range of conditions including high blood pressure stroke, heart failure, heart attack, and kidney failure, among others. National data show that men below the age of 45 are more likely than their female counterparts to have high blood pressure and heart disease is the leading cause of death among men in this country1. The Community Health Data Base (CHDB) collects information on health conditions that could have an impact on these diseases. The following data are from PHMC’s 2015 Southeastern Pennsylvania Household Health Survey.