New Interactive Dashboard Reveals Health Opportunities for Seminole County Residents

Jan 26, 2021 at 05:43 pm by pj



Sanford  – A new dashboard, (https://dashboards.mysidewalk.com/seminole-health/), designed by the Florida Department of Health in Seminole County and mySidewalk, gives Seminole residents insights into the social and economic drivers of health. At no time in recent history has attention to the root causes of health been so critical. The COVID-19 pandemic has shined a spotlight on public health; this comprehensive assessment takes the conversation beyond disease outcomes and explores the relationship between environments, behaviors,
illness, and length of life.

“We are excited to unveil the Seminole County mySidewalk dashboard. The dashboard is an excellent tool for organizations seeking health data in different areas within the county as well as for community members to learn more about health opportunities and find local resources to improve their health,” said Donna Walsh, health officer for the Florida Department of Health in Seminole County.

 

FIRST LOOK AT THE SEMINOLE COUNTY, FL COMMUNITY HEALTH DASHBOARD
This interactive dashboard gives the community access to health data indicators and allows residents to stay informed about what is happening in their county. Included are insights into social determinants of health, leading causes of death and disease, COVID-19 and other public health threats. The graphs and maps are available for public download, and all of the data is exportable in multiple formats.

Some compelling findings include:

1. Seminole County is ranked 3rd out of 67 counties in Florida for Health Outcomes and 2nd for Health Factors. County Health Rankings from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation help provide a standard for understanding how healthy we are overall, ranging from healthy behaviors such as regular exercise to outcomes such as rates of chronic disease.

2. The leading cause of death in Seminole County is cancer. Understanding the leading causes of death in our state and community is key to identifying and addressing barriers to optimal health. In 2018, Seminole County reported a rate of 145.3 cancer deaths compared to the State of Florida with a rate of 141.7. The most common cause of cancer deaths in Florida and Seminole County is lung cancer.

3. In Seminole County, 43,707 people (10%) are without health insurance. For uninsured workers and their families, obtaining insurance coverage can be cost prohibitive. The  2019 U.S. Census data shows Seminole County healthcare coverage enrollment for Medicare is 3%, Private Insurance is 80% (Affordable Care Act, direct pay, and employer insurance is included in private insurance), and Medicaid/public 8%.

Seminole County has identified 3 priorities within their Community Health Improvement
Plan (CHIP):

1. Health Equity, including Health Literacy, Access to Health Care (Mental Health & Dental Care), Affordable Care, Poverty/Low Wages, Lack of Insurance and Transportation.

2. Behavioral Health, Mental Illness and Substance Abuse, including Access to Healthcare (Mental Health), Mental Health/Behavioral Health (Suicide, Adverse Childhood Experiences -ACES).

3. Healthy Weight, Nutrition and Physical Activity, including Hypertension/High Blood Pressure/High Cholesterol, Access to Health, Affordable Food and Diabetes.

 

The department, nationally accredited by the Public Health Accreditation Board, works to protect, promote and improve the health of all people in Florida through integrated state, county and community efforts.

Follow us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter at @HealthyFla. For more information about the Florida Department of Health please visit www.FloridaHealth.gov.

mySidewalk is a technology company on a mission to democratize data. mySidewalk builds data tools for people who are not data scientists, equipping change-makers with tools to access data, derive insight, and communicate impact. With an extensive data library and mobile friendly, ADA-accessible publishing platform, mySidewalk works with hundreds of public, private, and non-profit clients across the country to break down barriers to knowledge and inspire change. For more information, visit mysidewalk.com or contact hello@mysidewalk.com.

Sections: Grand Rounds