Health
Status of Vermonters Report Tracks Public Health Successes & Challenges
Vermont Celebrates Public Health Week April
7-13 with Real-Life Stories, Events
Montpelier, Vt. — April, 3, 2008. Gov. Jim Douglas and Health Commissioner Sharon
Moffatt, RN, MSN today released The Health
Status of Vermonters — a report by the Vermont Department of
Health that tracks progress on key public health measures related to illness
and disease, clinical preventive services, health insurance, access to medical
care and personal health behaviors.
“Vermont
is rightfully earning its reputation as the healthiest state in the
nation,” said Gov. Douglas. “We’ve come a long way, thanks to
Vermont’s
public health leadership and workforce — and the efforts of many in
government and in our communities. However, we still face challenges as this
new report quantifies.”
The 44-page booklet shows data and trends through 2005 (generally the
most recent available data) to present a picture of the health of Vermonters.
The report measures how the state is doing in key areas, progress in meeting
nearly 100 public health goals, and where we stand compared the nation as a
whole.
“Vermonters are getting healthier — but we’re not yet
as healthy as we can be,” said Commissioner Moffatt. “One of the
most important jobs in public health is to analyze trends and use what we learn
to improve the health of the population. This is the time to celebrate our
gains and also to take a clear-eyed look at our challenges.”
Midway to 2010, The Health Status of
Vermonters shows that Vermont
is doing measurably better than the rest of the nation in 19 areas and
measurably worse in two. The report is available online at HealthVermont.gov
and from the Vermont Department of Health’s district offices.
Gov. Douglas also proclaimed April 7 – 13 Public Health Week in Vermont. Every day
during the week, the Health Department will feature stories and events that
bring the health status data to life. For on online copy of The Health Status
of Vermonters, featured stories and events during Public Health Week go to
HealthVermont.gov.
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