In 2003, the Benton Franklin Health District embarked on a community assessment which was based on the Key Health Indicator Report Card which is part of Washington State�s Public Health Improvement Partnership. Utilizing the framework of the state-wide indicators, an assessment was done to approximate the measurements on the state report card. The Gilmore Research Group in Seattle was the contractor for administering and analyzing the telephone survey based on the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. Additional data was collected to complete the report card and the total results were compiled as part of a thesis by an MPH student from the University of Washington.

Posted 2000

COMMUNITY HEALTH ASSESSMENT REPORT

Benton-Franklin Counties
State of Washington
1996

In 1996 The Tri-City Health Care Task Force - made up of business leaders, health providers, hospitals, newspaper editors and reporters, consumers, elected officials and other community leaders - and the Benton-Franklin District Health Department participated together to research and publish the inaugural Community Health Assessment Report for Benton and Franklin counties. The whole report is 235 pages, but there is an 11 page Executive Summary that lists Fast Facts for each of the major chapters.

Important findings include:

General Health

� Leading causes of death here, as well as statewide, are heart disease, cancer, stroke, injury and lung disease such as emphysema.

� The leading cause of death for men is heart disease and more women die of cancer.

� Respiratory cancer is the most common cause of cancer death. The rate of those deaths among men is dropping, while women's rates are increasing.

� A greater percentage of people die from strokes here than in the state. Stroke deaths are on the rise in the Tri-Cities, while they are declining statewide.

� Washington had the highest suicide rate nation-wide between 1985 and 1994 at 13.3 for 100,000. The rate for the two counties topped the state rate for several of those years.

� Both counties need more dentists, and Pasco needs more doctors.

� More people are using state medical assistance. In Franklin County, 16 percent of the population used medical assistance in 1990. In 1992, 29 percent of the population did. This continues to rise.

Pregnancies and Births

� In five years, the number of babies born per 1,000 rose slightly.

� Pregnant Tri-City women, particularly in Franklin County, are less likely to smoke than elsewhere in the state.

� Franklin County in 1988 and 1993 had the highest teen pregnancy rate in the state. In 1993, 152 of every 1,000 girls age 15 -19 got pregnant. In Benton County, the rate was 88 per 1,000 girls.

� The infant mortality rate in Franklin County was 10 deaths per 1,000 live births from 1991 - 1993. The rate for Benton County was 7.

Public Health

� Chlamydia, the main cause of infertility, is the most commonly reported sexually transmitted disease. Teen-aged girls were most likely to be diagnosed with it. � In all, 42 AIDS cases have been reported. Health Officials estimate 10 to 20 times as many others are infected with HIV.

Behavior Survey

(Information was compiled from a 1994 telephone survey of 500 people.)

� Among those with young children, 46 percent said their youngest child never uses a bicycle helmet. � 30 percent were overweight. � 28 percent had a flu shot in the last year. � 12 percent said their sexual behavior in the last year was more cautious because of HIV. � 14 percent needed to see a health professional in the last year but could not afford to. � 85 percent of those surveyed had medical insurance. � 64 percent of those with insurance had a medical checkup in the last year, compared with 35 percent of the uninsured people.

The median age of the Hispanic population in Benton County was 20.3 years, nearly 10 years younger than the general population. The median age was even lower in Franklin County at 19.7 years of age. This is just an example of some of the outcome findings that are found in this community health report.

Copies of this report have been placed in local libraries, with the Benton-Franklin Medical Society and are available (while supplies last) from the Health Department. (471 Williams Blvd., Richland, WA 99354)

The Health Department continues to compile more recent statistical and survey information for areas covered by the report. Contact administration for more specific information or to request copies of the published report; (509) 943-2614.

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Benton Franklin Health District

Kennewick
7102 w Okanogan pl
Kennewick WA
99336
(509) 460 4200

Pasco
412 W Clark
Pasco WA
99301
(509) 547-9737

Prosser
310 7^th Ave. E.
Prosser WA
99350
(509) 786-1633

IN CASE OF EMERGENCY PLEASE CALL 911
If you are either a medical practitioner, first responder, or public works official and need to report an emergency that immediately endangers public health, please call 509-543-3851. Only medical practitioners, first responders, and public works officials may use this number.

The public can reference BFHD policies available in Kennewick office.
BFHD Privacy Statement
Copies of the annual report available at all BFHD offices.

State and County Resources:

WAC's - RCW's
Community Health Status Indicators
Reportable Conditions

Contact: info(at)bfhd.wa.gov 1-509-460-4357

Posted 2005