vital_signs_2015_web

According to Gallup-Healthways Well-Being research released in
2015, persons who live in high-well-being communities are more
likely to be motivated to achieve their goals, feel supported by
family and friends, and be proud of their community. They are also
less likely to suffer from depression over their lifetime. For communities,
health status has an impact on their ability to sustain a strong workforce,
contain health care costs, and grow a competitive region. In our 2015
Vital Signs regional poll, 88 percent of respondents said their health had a
significant impact on their ability to live their lives the way they want.
The Nashville region is known
for the size and scope of its
health care industry and its
health services providers.
Being a health care capital
has meant that our residents
have substantial access to
quality care than residents in
other regions. However, our
residents fare worse on many
health outcomes compared to
peers – even when accounting
for differences in demographics.
REGIONAL POLL RESULT
In our 2015 Vital Signs regional poll,
88 percent of respondents said their
health had a significant impact on
their ability to live their lives the
way they want.
In 2014, the Nashville Area Chamber’s Research Center spearheaded a
partnership with FTI Consulting’s Center for Healthcare Economics
and Policy to assess the health status and the cost, quality and access
to health care in the Nashville region compared to our peer regions. In
addition to comparing the overall health status of these regions, the
report made demographic adjustments to compare the health status
of similar populations across the regions. Lastly, the report analyzed
private commercial claims, along with Medicare information, to provide
a comprehensive assessment of health care access. While Nashvilleregion
residents have greater access to quality care than residents in peer
regions, they fare worse on many health outcomes compared to peers –
even when accounting for differences in demographics.
Health Outcomes for the Nashville Region and Its
Peers
Comparison of the medical and health behaviors of this region with peer
regions shows that while our region performs well in some areas, we fare
worse than at least half of our peers in a majority of areas, even when
accounting for differences in demographics:
• The Nashville area has the lowest incidence of asthma
compared to peer regions.
• Nashville area residents experience levels of chronic
obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), obesity and stress
levels that are moderate to high compared to our peers.
When accounting for demographics, these levels slightly
improve.
• Our residents experience levels of depression and diabetes
that are moderate compared to our peers. These levels are
unchanged when adjusted for population difference.
• Nashville residents experience very unfavorable rates of heart
attack, physical activity and smoking in both absolute and
adjusted rankings.
KEY TAKEAWAY
While Nashville-region residents
have greater access to quality care
than residents in peer regions,
they fare worse on many health
outcomes compared to peers – even
when accounting for differences in
demographics.