Lapeer County Health Department

Healthy in Lapeer

Most of us know that quality health care and regular check ups are important. But what we do every day can also make a big difference in our health. Healthy habits such as exercising, eating fruits and vegetables, losing weight and not smoking can improve the health of all Lapeer County residents. Although lifestyle changes can be difficult to make, there are ways to form healthier habits.

* If you would like to View the Lapeer County Community Health Assessment for 2010-2012, Please - CLICK HERE

Start by creating a personal plan! Log onto the Michigan Steps Up!

Website http://www.michigan.gov/surgeongeneral to take an assessment quiz, set goals and get started with a healthier lifestyle!

Find out about health screening tests you should have now!

For men: http://www.cdc.gov/Features/HealthyMen/?s_cid=ecard_224134A

For women: http://womenshealth.gov/prevention/general

Other websites:

• http://www.cdc.gov/family/tips/

• http://www.womenshealth.gov

• http://www.girlshealth.gov

• http://www.cdc.gov/men/

Although many healthy people get the flu and recover from it without medical care, flu can cause serious illness in those with other health conditions, infants, the elderly and pregnant women. Getting the flu vaccine helps to prevent the spread of flu and helps to keep both you AND your family healthy: http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/preventing.htm

Health Care Options:

For an interactive tool on health care options log onto http://www.healthcare.gov

Community Measures of Health

The process of improving the health status of a community begins with the collection and analysis of community health data. Without data we can only make guesses about the causes of death and disease that affect our residents. Likewise, lack of data hampers our

ability to set good public health policy and inform our residents about disease prevention and healthy lifestyle behaviors.

In a county as small as Lapeer, it can be difficult to collect enough data to be able to confidently draw accurate conclusions. Data is costly to gather and takes time to compile and analyze.

However, there are a number of sources of health data that help us to track the health of Lapeer County residents. Information is available from the Michigan Department of Community Health related to birth, death and disease incidence. Surveys are conducted to gather information on health factors such as smoking, nutrition and physical exercise. Information about the availability of options for physical exercise and farmers markets is collected.

For the second consecutive year, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation funded the 2011 County Health Rankings, which is a collection of reports that reflect the overall health of counties in every state across the country. Although released in March, 2011, the rankings draw from data collected from various periods during the years from 2003-2009.

Below is a summary of the County Health Rankings Report. The entire document may be viewed at: http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/michigan

Overall, Lapeer County ranked 13 of 82 (with 1 being the healthiest) in Michigan for Health Outcomes. In 2010, Lapeer County was ranked #11. Health Outcomes is a measure of premature death and disability. However, the Health Factors indicator, which helps to rank factors that influence health, show that Lapeer County residents are unhealthier in some categories compared to other residents of the State of Michigan.

Adult Smoking (ranked 59 of 82) Poor Diet & Exercise Habits (ranked 70 of 82), and Unhealthy Alcohol Use (ranked 51 of 82). These are all higher for Lapeer County residents than for residents of other Michigan Counties.

However, Lapeer County ranked #8 of 82 on Family and Community Support measures and #27 of 82 in Community Safety, which likely reflects the closeknit qualities of residents and groups in Lapeer County.

*Rankings: Michigan Counties are ranked 1-82 with 1 reflecting the healthiest county.

Note: Some fluctuation in indicator values are expected to occur from year to year and

may not constitute a trend.

To View Snapshot 2011: Lapeer

Click Here > http://www.countyhealthrankings.org/michigan