Data last refreshed on September 10, 2021
Health involves more than an individual's physical health alone. It also includes external factors that impact their health. "Social determinants of health" is what we call these external factors. For example, the Washtenaw County Health Department considers poverty a "key driver of health." Poverty makes it harder to access health care, healthy food, and other necessities that contribute to health. Other social determinants of health include education, neighborhood safety, social supports, and more.
The Opportunity Index measures community health using three measures. These are infant birth weight, average life expectancy, and health insurance coverage.
The Opportunity Index measures community health using three measures. These are infant birth weight, average life expectancy, and health insurance coverage.
Infant Low Birth Weight
Birth weight is a major determinant of an infant’s survival. There are many factors associated with low birth weight. One prominent factor is race. Black infants are more than twice as likely to be born premature or with low birth weight than white infants, according to the health department. This disparity could be caused by a number of factors. Smoking during pregnancy, access to prenatal care, and chronic stress are all associated with low birthweight.
Health Insurance Coverage
Health insurance coverage determines people’s ability to access the health care they need. Currently, 93% of Washtenaw County residents have health insurance. The county’s all-time high, in 2016, was 95.6%. However, there are several portions of the county where coverage rates are only 77% to 85%. This disparity can greatly impact an individual's quality of life and life expectancy.
Life Expectancy
Data last refreshed on September 10, 2021
There is a 19-year difference in average life expectancy for Washtenaw County residents based on where you are born. As seen on the map, there are several areas in the county where life expectancy is above 85 years. In others, the number is as low as 70 years. This means that individuals in some communities have better access to the resources to care for themselves and their families-- resources such as healthy food, quality healthcare, affordable housing, jobs, and more.
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