Case Here Worse Than Statewide

Details: Created on Monday, 10 September 2012 17:10; Written by Jason Zheng

nvrh ST. JOHNSBURY - The Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital drew some conclusion after they conducted some surveys.

It found, percentages of those exposed to second hand smoke are higher locally than around the state.

They've also found out that, for example, youth in grades nine to twelve who use spit tobacco is 8% state wide, while it's 11% in our area.

According to the vice president of the Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital, the overall arching theme is around poverty, "you can sort of put the other two, those issues around obesity with people who have food insecurity. They might not have access to healthy foods or may not have the means to cook the healthy foods that comes up when you have low income. "

There are some priority areas for community health improvement for NVRH, such as the poverty related issues, lack of health insurance or adequate coverage, transportation barriers, food insecurity, etc.

The hospital does the study every few years and use the results to better service the community.