State of Our Region
Where we currently stand with regards to key health topics such as chronic illness, mental health, and the social determinants of health.
Health Behaviors
Data examining both the behaviors taken by residents such as smoking and physical activity, and the social determinants that influence accessibility.
Opportunities for Growth
Prior successes and avenues of opportunity as we work to improve the health literacy and overall health of our region.
The Health of Our Region
Key topics identified by healthcare representatives from Chesapeake, Eastern Shore, Gloucester/Mathews, Hampton/Peninsula, Portsmouth, Virginia Beach, and Western Tidewater include:
- chronic diseases (diabetes, heart disease)
- mental health and trauma
- substance abuse (opioid epidemic)
- healthy communities
Hospitalization Rate due to Mental Health
Local Data on Key Indicators
60.6 hospitalizations/ 10,000 population 18+ years
This indicator shows the age-adjusted hospitalization rate due to mental health per 10,000 population aged 18 years and older. Cases include adjustment disorders; anxiety disorders; attention deficit conduct and disruptive behavior disorders; delirium, dementia, amnestic and other cognitive disorders; disorders usually diagnosed in infancy, childhood, or adolescence; mood disorders; personality disorders; schizophrenia and other psychotic disorders; and impulse control disorders not elsewhere classified.
Data Source: Virginia Health Information
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Social Determinants of Health
Aligned with local hospitals and health departments, these indicators show the social and economic predictors of health outcomes. Food insecurity, poverty, and lack of transportation all contribute to the current health of our region.
Additional Indicators
(Shown here for Norfolk City-- click on an indicator to view other locations)
This indicator shows the percentage of kindergarteners whose fall PALS-K scores were at or above kindergarten readiness levels before entering school.
Our Challenges: Health Behaviors
County Rankings for Health Behaviors
Out of 133 Locations in Virginia
This indicator shows the ranking of the county in overall health behaviors according to the County Health Rankings. The ranking is based on a summary composite score calculated from the following measures: adult smoking, adult obesity, physical inactivity, access to exercise opportunities, excessive drinking, alcohol-impaired driving deaths, sexually transmitted infections, teen births, and a food environment index.
Data Source: County Health Rankings
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County Health Rankings data provides a data snapshot in key categories related to Health Factors (Health Behaviors, Clinical Care, Social and Economic Factors, Physical Environment) and Health Outcomes (Morbidity and Mortality).
With these rankings, we can see how contributing health factors within Hampton Roads compare to other counties within Virginia.
Ranking scores are out of a total of 133 locations.
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County Health Rankings: Portsmouth City (2019)
#132 out of 133
Contributing data: adult smoking, adult obesity, physical inactivity, access to exercise opportunities, excessive drinking, alcohol-impaired driving deaths, sexually transmitted infections, teen births, and a food environment index.
#52 out of 133
Contributing data: uninsured, primary care physicians, mental health providers, dentists, preventable hospital stays, diabetic monitoring, and mammography screening.
#121 out of 133
Contributing data: high school graduation, some college, unemployment, children in poverty, income inequality, children in single-parent households, social associations, violent crime rate, and injury death rate.
#116 out of 133
Contributing data: poor or fair health, poor physical health days, poor mental health days, and low birthweight.
How can we improve?
By leveraging existing strengths, we can improve health outcomes within our region. Data from prior years provides a glimpse into possible trends and shifts between health behaviors and health outcomes.
For example, in 2012, there was an increase in the percentage of mothers in Poquoson receiving early prenatal care. In the following year, the percent of babies with very low birth weight fell. We see early prenatal care percentages dip back down in 2014-2015, and very low birth weight percentages rise in 2016. While there are a number of factors influencing the percentage of low birth weight babies, early prenatal care has been shown to improve birth outcomes and reduce the risk of low birth weight.
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| Our region is also well-poised to utilize digital health literacy resources. Hampton Roads has high rates of internet access and household computing devices (computers, phones, and tablets). Using technology, our residents can find ways to manage chronic diseases, access community resources, and build health behaviors to ultimately improve health outcomes. |  |