Improving the Health of Children and Adults MeansOvercoming Barriers to Accessing Health and Wellness Services
From access to health care, nutrition and fitness, to preparing and responding to disasters and emergencies, United Way of Central Ohio and its partners are targeting health issues that not only affect individuals, but our entire community.
Unfortunately, too many of our neighbors lack access to basic health care - in particular preventive care which can reduce the incidence of chronic diseases like diabetes or diagnose problems early and intervene to prevent costly complications from conditions such as high blood pressure.
With health care costs outpacing inflation and growth in wages and with many central Ohioans living without health insurance, even a minor health crisis can lead families to financial ruin.
DID YOU KNOW?
- More than 142,000 (19%) of adults in Franklin County were without a regular source of care such as a medical office or a clinic based on 2008 OFHS data.
- In 2008, 31% of Franklin County residents 18-64 years old reported they had difficulty paying medical bills in the 12 months prior to the survey.
- Less than 140,000 individuals in Franklin County are prepared to respond to an individual emergency or community disaster.
- Columbus Public Health and the Central Ohio Trauma System report that the top 5 leading causes of death are heart disease, all cancers, stroke, chronic lower respiratory disease and accidents.
- Compared to a group of 16 similar cities, Columbus ranked 13th in the percentage of residents at a healthy weight. It ranked last as the community with the most obese residents.
- Less than 50% of Franklin County residents participate in the recommended amount of regular physical activity; only 24% eat the recommended amount of fruits and vegetables daily.
Community Results
People overcome barriers to health and wellness services
Bold Goal: Reduce by half the percentage of people in Franklin County without a regular source of health care
Community is prepared to respond to disasters and emergencies
Bold Goal: Prepare one in three Franklin County residents to respond to community-wide disasters and individual emergencies
People maintain healthy nutrition and fitness
Bold Goal: Increase the number of people in the Columbus metropolitan area who achieve a healthy weight to rank among the top 5 comparable communities in the United States
