Leading Health Indicators
A healthy community knows whether it is moving toward it goals by identifying and measuring its progress according to a series of health and community indicators. Indicators provide citizens with clear information about past trends and current challenges, and assist them in steering the community toward its vision.
The following health and community indicators present information about some of the current realities and challenges facing the City of Fall River:
Demographic Indicators:
The following indicators address the population, the diversity, and the income and standard of living of Fall River residents compared to the rest of the state:
|
|
Fall River |
MA |
|
Total Population |
91,938 |
6.3 million |
|
Per Capita Income |
$16,118 |
$25,952 |
|
Population below poverty level |
17.1% |
9.3% |
|
Children under 18 living below poverty level |
25.8% |
12.0% |
|
White non-Hispanic persons |
91.9% |
83.9% |
|
Black non-Hispanic persons |
2.4% |
5.3% |
|
Asian persons |
2.2% |
3.9% |
|
AFDC Medicaid Recipients |
14.7% |
7.1% |
Note: Data based on 2000 Census Counts
Education:
The following indicators address the education status of Fall River public school students as compared to the rest of the state:
|
|
Fall River |
MA |
|
Annual school drop out rate 2002-2003 |
5.24% |
3.3% |
|
Plans after High School Class 2002 |
|
|
|
2 year college |
43% |
20.4% |
|
4 year college |
34% |
52.4% |
|
Work |
21% |
12.8% |
|
MCAS Warning/Failing Spring 2003 |
|
|
|
Grade 4 English |
14% |
10% |
|
Grade 4 Math |
23% |
16% |
|
Grade 7 English |
14% |
7% |
|
Grade 8 Math |
68% |
33% |
|
Grade 10 English |
24% |
12% |
Note: From MA Department of Education Statistical Reports 2002-2003 Academic School Year
Unemployment:
The following indicators address the economic status of Fall River residents as compared to the rest of the state:|
|
Fall River |
MA |
|
Unemployment rate March 2004 |
10.8% |
5.6% |
Note: From MA Division of Employment and Training, April 2004
Child Health Indicators:
The following indicators address the health and well-being of the children of Fall River compared to the rest of the state:
|
|
Fall River |
MA |
|
Infant deaths |
0.67% |
0.49% |
|
Low birth weight |
9.5% |
7.5% |
|
Births to adolescent mothers |
13.5% |
5.9% |
|
Mothers with adequate prenatal care |
14.9% |
15.3% |
|
Lead poisoning cases (per 1,000 children screened) |
0.2% |
0.6% |
Note: From 2002 Vital Records and Lead Poisoning Prevention Program Reports, MA Department of Public Health
Youth Health Indicators:
The following indicators address the health status of Fall River youth compared to youth in the rest of the state:
|
|
Fall River |
MA |
|
Smoked cigarette in past 30 days |
27.7% |
27% |
|
Drank alcohol in past 30 days |
43.9% |
53% |
|
Smoked marijuana in past 30 days |
27.6% |
30.9% |
|
Had sexual intercourse |
44.2% |
44.3% |
Note: From Youth Risk Behavior Survey 2003, MA Department of Education
Injury Indicators:
The following indicators address the incidence of injury-related deaths in Fall River compared to the rest of the state:
|
|
Fall River |
MA |
|
Motor vehicle related injury deaths (per 100,000) |
10.0 |
8.8 |
|
Suicide |
6.1 |
6.5 |
|
Homicide |
2.3 |
2.4 |
Note: From 2001 Mortality (Vital Records) MA Department of Public Health
Substance Abuse Indicators:
The following indicators address the incidence of substance abuse in Fall River compared to the rest of the state:
|
|
Fall River |
MA |
|
Admissions to DPH funded treatment programs (per 100,000 persons) |
3349.0 |
1808.4 |
|
Injection drug user admissions to DPH funded treatment programs |
1524.9 |
550.9 |
|
Alcohol and other drug related hospital discharges |
333.2 |
364.6 |
|
Alcohol and other drug use deaths |
47.0 |
20.4 |
Note: From 2003 MA DPH Substance Abuse program utilization and 2001 Hospital Discharge Data
Lifestyle Indicators:
The following indicators address health and lifestyle behaviors of Fall River area residents compared to the rest of the state:|
|
Fall River Area |
MA |
|
Adults who smoke |
27.5% |
21.2% |
|
Adults physically active |
26.8% |
31% |
|
Adults who are overweight |
28% |
26% |
|
Adults who consume 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables each day |
24.9% |
29.1% |
Note: From MA Department of Public Health Behavior Risk Factor Survey of Fall River CHNA Area 1994-1999
Chronic Disease:
The following indicators address the incidence of chronic disease in Fall River compared to the rest of the state
|
|
Fall River |
MA |
|
Total Cancer Deaths (per 100,000 persons) |
210.5 |
202.4 |
|
Lung Cancer deaths |
61.2 |
54.9 |
|
Breast Cancer deaths |
30.6 |
26.9 |
|
Cardiovascular Deaths |
339.3 |
284.2 |
Note: From 2001 Mortality (Vital Records) MA Department of Public Health
Other Health Indicators:
The following indicators address the health status of Fall River area residents as compared to the rest of the state:
|
|
Fall River Area |
MA |
|
Adults told they have high blood pressure |
29.2% |
21.6% |
|
Adults told they have high cholesterol |
36.8% |
28.3% |
|
Adults told they have diabetes |
6.1% |
4.3% |
|
Do not have health insurance |
11.4% |
9.2% |
Note: From MA Department of Public Health Behavior Risk Factor Survey of Fall River CHNA Area 1994-1999
A graphic display of six of the above tables are displayed on the following page. Additional statistical information may be obtained through the Partners for a Healthier Community web site (
www.gfrpartners.com) using the following links: