H&S 3: HEALTH SCREENING AND PREVENTIVE CARE

UTAHNS WILL PREVENT ILLNESS AND DETECT HEALTH PROBLEMS EARLY, WHEN THEY ARE MOST SUCCESSFULLY TREATED OR CURED.

Other Information:

• Utah has dramatically improved its delivery of preventive services to children, especially immunizations by age 2. The State and local immunization programs launched tracking systems, reminder cards, and media campaigns, that have been successful at improving Utah's rates. In 1994 the immunization rate in Utah was 64%, but in 1999 it had increased to 82%, which is 22nd in the nation and higher than the national average of 80%. • The percentage of pregnant women who seek prenatal care in the first trimester of pregnancy appears to have leveled off at around 78%. Barriers to prenatal care include cost, availability of appointments, and lack of health insurance coverage for care. • Having a routine dental cleaning and check-up is important for overall oral health. Among adults in Utah during 2001, 71% had a routine dental cleaning in the past year. • In 2000, 76% of Utah women age 50 or over had received a mammogram in the past two years, and 83% of women age 18 or over had received a pap smear in the past three years. • Routinely checking blood pressure and cholesterol are important for combating heart disease, Utah's leading cause of death. 84% of Utah adults have had their blood pressure checked in the past two years. • Almost all Utah newborns (99%) are screened for metabolic disorders. In 1996, only about a third of all newborns were screened for hearing disorders before they were discharged from the hospital, but today, almost all are (97% in 2001).

Indicator(s):

Indicator:1

Content