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Public Health Week 2008
Programs Profile

Helping people live longer and healthier is one of our top priorities. Every five years, the state Department of Health issues a report entitled “The Health of Washington State,” which analyzes chronic disease, life expectancy, injuries, teen pregnancy and many other things. There are 62 topics grouped into 10 sections. We’re doing well in some areas; not as well in others.

• Average life expectancy in Washington for those born in 2005 is 79.3 years, about four years longer than those born in 1980. Our mortality rates and other measures of general health are good compared to the nation.

• With longer life, chronic disease takes a higher toll. Death rates for cancer and heart disease are declining even though they’re still the leading causes of death and account for half of all deaths in our state.

• Injury deaths among children and young adults — including those from drowning, motor vehicles, suicide and homicide — have declined. However, falls are the leading cause of injury-related hospitalizations in our state: 1 in 3 people 65 years and older fall each year.

• Adults in our state with incomes less than $20,000 are 50 percent more likely to be obese and three times more likely to smoke cigarettes compared to those with incomes of $50,000 and up.

• Although people are more physically active in our state, obesity rates continue to climb. Adult obesity has more than doubled from 10 percent in 1990 to 24 percent in 2006.

• Some sexually transmitted diseases are increasing. More cases of chlamydia are reported every year than any other disease. In 2006, 17,447 cases were diagnosed in Washington and reported through January 2007.

The report, Health of Washington State 2007, is available on our Web site. This report shows what we know generally about health status, risks to good health and health care in Washington.