Parish President Richard Thomas said he’s not happy with the news, but that this is a poor parish and officials are doing what they can to make improvements.
Washington Parish ranked 61 of 64 parishes, while neighboring St. Tammany Parish ranked No. 1 as the healthiest. Last year the state of Louisiana itself ranked 47th in a national health survey.
 Cars drive near the parish line on Louisiana Highway 40 near Enon. A recent survey by Southeastern Louisiana University found that many Washington Parish residents are not satisfied with their quality of life. Advertisement |
Washington Parish actually ranked near the top in the latter category, coming in midway through the top ten at number five. Low air pollution and liquor store density parishwide and a reported 50 percent access to healthy foods put the parish well above St. Tammany, which ranked 27 for physical environment.
But based on numbers provided by the National Center for Health Statistics over a two-year period, close to 14,000 Washington Parish residents died before the age of 75, a premature death rate that matches its overall ranking of 61, and based on Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System numbers, 24 percent of the parish is in poor or fair health, according to the report.
The findings for health behaviors is even worse with a ranking of 63 of the 64 parishes. That category includes an adult obesity rate of 32 percent and an adult smoking rate of 29 percent.
Other findings include that 18 percent of Washington Parish adults do not have health insurance, 36 percent of its children live in poverty and 26 percent of the local residents have “inadequate social support.”
The study indicates low income, below-average graduation rankings, unemployment above average, adult obesity, motor vehicle crash death rates, teen birth rates and the lack of citizens with primary care providers “has contributed to the 61 out of 64 ranking,” said Thomas.
But the “bottom line is that the poverty level has a direct correlation with the ranking,” he said.
The authors of the study, which uses national statistics gathered between 2000 and 2008, conclude “counties can improve health outcomes by addressing all health factors with effective, evidence-based programs and policies.”
Parishes can meet the call to action by creating opportunities for physical activity, offering proven smoking cessation programs, providing increased social support and by investing in other programs designed to improve health.
Thomas said Washington Parish is taking action to rise in the ranks.
“In an effort to improve our ranking and make Washington Parish a healthier place to live, parish government will support the educational programs offered through the school systems, health unit, Council on Aging and Veteran’s Administration,” he said.
It is hoped that an increase in education and support will be reflected with a decrease in the poverty level.
Comments
RB wrote on Mar 1, 2010 5:57 PM:
No wonder Bog was chosen for a heart study years ago? "
Mr T wrote on Mar 1, 2010 3:57 PM:
RB wrote on Feb 26, 2010 9:09 AM:
just me wrote on Feb 26, 2010 1:50 AM:
Old School wrote on Feb 25, 2010 2:45 PM:
The trade school could even start teaching trades and safety classes used in the offshore industry, which could help our young people with jobs and bring money into the parish.
I stopped by Mr Thomas's office a few weeks ago with these idea's, never heard anything back about it. "
gator wrote on Feb 25, 2010 2:07 PM:
The funeral homes would be so busy they couldn't hire enough help. "
RB wrote on Feb 25, 2010 8:47 AM: