For Immediate Release
April 4, 2005

Contact: Howard Sutter
(714) 834-2178

Orange County Posts Gains In Health Status

(Santa Ana) - Orange County residents continue to make progress on several key indicators of health, according to the annual report card on the health of Californians issued by the State Department of Health Services.

“Improvements in breastfeeding rates, gains in early pre-natal care and a decrease in the teen birth rate continue trends we’ve seen in recent years,” said Mark B. Horton, M.D., Orange County’s Health Officer. “The latest County Health Status Report also shows continuing decreases in the incidence of new AIDS and Tuberculosis cases.”

The report, based on information from 2001-2003 shows that Orange County has already achieved the national Healthy People 2010 objectives for breastfeeding initiation, receiving pre-natal care during the first trimester of pregnancy, and for reducing death rates due to motor vehicle accidents, homicide and lung cancer. Slight increases were noted in the infant mortality rate and the percentage of low birthweight babies. “While our rates in these areas are still better than the statewide average, this should be an area of emphasis for the health care community,” Dr. Horton said.

Deaths in Orange County from coronary heart disease and cerebrovascular diseases remain higher than the statewide average. “By leading healthier lifestyles, Orange County residents can help to reduce deaths from these diseases, which are associated with lifestyle factors like tobacco use, alcohol consumption, diet and exercise,” said Dr. Horton. “

The 2005 County Health Status Profiles are produced by the California Department of Health Services and the California Conference of Local Health Officers. The full report will be available on-line at www.dhs.ca.gov/hisp/chs/phweek/CProfile2005/CProfile2005.htm.

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