T.C. Community Indicators Project – PREVENTIVE HEALTH CARE
Sonora, CA — Today we are starting our nine week, Monday-Wednesday-Friday 26 part series summarizing the 2008 Sonora Area Foundation´s Tuolumne County Profile Community Indicators Project.
The initial topic is PREVENTIVE HEALTH CARE. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) reviews scientific literature and recommends cost-effective ways to screen the general population for risk of illness.
Why is this important?
Early detection is important in controlling disease and preventing premature death. The United States Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) reviews scientific literature and recommends cost-effective ways to screen the general population for risk of illness.
What is the measure?
We can learn how motivated the public is to seek recommended preventive health care, and about how accessible preventive services are by determining the percent of the Tuolumne County population that adheres to the USPSTF recommendations for preventive health care.
How are we doing?
Between 2001 and 2005, approximately 80% of women in Tuolumne County received mammograms at a rate consistent with recommendations. This is similar to the rate for other California women. For Tuolumne County women below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level the rate of mammography decreased as compared to state data.
Tuolumne County screening rate for colon cancer is similar to the rate for other Californians with nearly 60% adhering to recommendations. This rate increased between 2001 and 2005, but decreased for those below the poverty level.14
Tuolumne County Seniors are slightly more likely to receive influenza vaccines than other Californians. However, vaccinations in schools are lower here than the California average, especially for private school students.
The Smile Keepers Program performs dental screening and fluoride varnish treatments to over 3,000 students at local schools and preschools each year, who would otherwise have limited access to preventive dental care.
Click Community Indicators Project for a summary of the entire 2008 Tuolumne County Profile.
Written by Bill Johnson
