Office of Health Disparities (OHD)

Health Disparities in Utah

Mission
To reduce health disparities in Utah and to improve health outcomes for vulnerable populations as defined by socio-economic status, race/ethnicity, geography, as well as other populations identified to be at-risk for health disparities.

OHD Goals
GOAL 1: Partnerships & Collaborations Develop and support partnerships and collaborations among public, nonprofit and private entities to increase awareness and drive action in efforts to reduce health disparities and achieve health equity. GOAL 2: Data & Research Ensure the availability, coordination, utilization and diffusion of data and research identifying and focusing on populations with health disparities.

OHD Goals (cont.)

GOAL 3: Outreach and Media Intervention Serve as a clearinghouse in Utah to increase awareness of health disparities and to disseminate health education materials and resources. GOAL 4: Cultural and Linguistic Competency Improve cultural competency of the health-related workforce and public health agencies and increase access to health promotion messages among limited English proficient individuals.

Demographic Context
Median Age by Race and Ethnicity, Utah
All Utahns American Indian/Alaska Asian Black or African American Native Hawaiian/Pacific White Hispanic or Latino White, Non-Hispanic 0 28.5 24.4 27.3 17.1 21.3 28.7 24.4 29.2 5 10 15 20 25 Age in Years 30 35

Demographic Context: Life Expectancy

All Utah Adults American Asian Black or African Native White Hispanic or Latino White, Non-Hispanic Other, Non-Hispanic 0

78.9 76.7 82.8 77.2 78.3 79.0 79.9 78.9 78.9 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100 Years
American Community Survey, 2006-2010

American Community Survey, 2006-2010

Demographic Context
Utahns Living in Poverty
All Utahns American Indian/Alaska Asian Black or African American Native Hawaiian/Pacific White Hispanic or Latino White, Non-Hispanic Other, Non-Hispanic 10.0% 22.1% 14.3% 19.6% 14.4% 9.2% 19.5% 8.2% 13.1% 0% 10% 20% 30%

Health Disparities Definition

Health Disparity: A difference in health linked to social or economic disadvantage, affecting groups of people who have systematically experienced greater social or economic obstacles to health.
Examples of Group Categories: Income Geography Race Ethnicity

American Community Survey, 2006-2010

Utah Infant Mortality

Factors Related to Infant Health

Among Pacific Islanders Lowest Rates of Early Prenatal Care Folic Acid Consumption Highest Rates of Obesity in Pregnancy Postpartum Depression Lack of Knowledge of Health Guidelines
Health Status by Race and Ethnicity 2010; OHD Minority Health Focus Groups, 2011

Utah Vital Records 2005-2008, Birth Cohort

Factors Related to Infant Health

Among Blacks/African Americans Highest Rates of Low Birth Weight Preterm Birth Unintended Pregnancy Smoking during Pregnancy Unplanned pregnancy Unprepared for pregnancy Prenatal care is too late
Health Status by Race and Ethnicity 2010; OHD Minority Health Focus Groups, 2011

Infant Mortality
By Geography

Utah Vital Records 2005-2008, Birth Cohort

Overweight and Obese

By Race/Ethnicity

Overweight and Obese

By Geography

Utah BRFSS 2006-2010

Utah BRFSS 2006-2010

Barriers to Healthy Weight

Modern lifestyle Depression Pacific Islanders: Cultural preference for large body size & acculturation to American processed foods Hispanics: winter weather, cost of healthy food & knowledge of nutrition

No Health Insurance Coverage

By Race/Ethnicity

OHD Minority Health Focus Groups, 2011

Utah BRFSS 2009-2010

No Health Insurance Coverage

By Geography

No Health Insurance Coverage

By Income

Utah BRFSS 2009-2010

Utah BRFSS 2009-2010

Barriers to Health Care Access

Cost Lack of knowledge of health system and resources available Distrust of doctors Racism in health care settings Language barriers Fear of finding something wrong

www.health.utah.gov/disparities
OHD Minority Health Focus Groups, 2011