Key Findings of the Community Health Needs Assessment
The significant health priorities for Anderson County, as determined by the data synthesis team, are the following:
- Substance Abuse (including prescription drug abuse)
- Obesity
- Mental Health
- Diabetes
- Asthma
Strengths and Opportunities
Overall Health
Strengths
- Anderson County ranks 34 out of 95 Tennessee Counties in health outcomes.
- Anderson County ranks 24 out of 95 counties in health behaviors such as smoking, obesity and physical activity.
Opportunities
- Anderson County ranks higher for excessive drinking (12% vs. 10%) than Tennessee overall
Quality of Life
Strengths
- The violent crime rate in Anderson County is 70% less than the Tennessee state average.
- 81% of respondents were satisfied to very satisfied with Anderson County as a place to raise a family
Opportunities
- 25% of the children in Anderson County live in poverty
- When asked to grade the health of Anderson County the grades ranged from a low of “F” to a high of B, the average grade is a C.
Healthy Behaviors
Strengths
- Eighty-seven percent of adults have been screened for diabetes.
- HIV infection rates are 3 times less than the state average.
Opportunities
- Deaths from motor vehicle accidents are significantly higher than the state of Tennessee average.
- 24% of adults smoke, 31% are obese and 33% report being physically inactive.
- 61% of the restaurants are fast food establishments
- Prescription drug abuse is a serious issue as evidenced by the high number of drug-addicted babies born in Anderson County.
Health Care
Strengths
- Preventable hospital stays are significantly lower in Anderson County compared to the Tennessee rate - 55 compared to 83.
- Sixty-three percent of the respondents are satisfied to very satisfied with the health care resources in Anderson County.
- Infant and child mortality are much lower in Anderson County compared to the state average.
Opportunities
- Access to physicians accepting new TennCare/Medicaid patients continues to be a challenge in Anderson County.
- Dental care access, particularly for the low income, is a significant issue.
- The two main reasons given that keep people in Anderson County from seeking medical attention are lack of knowledge about medical services that are available ( 36%) and inadequate transportation (35%).
