Every three years, Beach Cities Health District (BCHD) prepares a Community Health Snapshot Report. By identifying our community’s most important health concerns, BCHD is able to direct its preventative health efforts towards the areas that would make the biggest health impact.
The 2012 BCHD Community Health Snapshot Report incorporated the results of the Gallup-Healthways Well-Being Index(WBI), which provides data on life evaluation, physical health, emotional health, healthy behavior, work environment, and basic access to health services. Data from the California Healthy Kids Survey, county and state sources was also reviewed.
This year’s Snapshot revealed three major areas of concern for our community: 1. Substance use among adolescents, 2. obesity among adults and 3. Physical inactivity among older adults.
On average, we’re overweight
While almost 70 percent of American adults are obese or overweight, Beach Cities adults only fare slightly better. In our community, 60 percent of adults are overweight or obese. This is cause for concern because obesity affects more than people’s appearance. Overweight individuals are more likely to:
— Develop chronic disease risk factors, such as high blood pressure and high cholesterol.
— Develop chronic diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, osteoarthritis, and some cancers.
— Die at an earlier age.
Unfortunately, older adults (65 and older) in the Beach Cities follow the national trend of declining physical activity with age. One-third of older adults in the Beach Cities report that health problems prevent them from completing their daily activities. Arthritis is the leading cause of disability among older adults, and is increasing due to our aging population and the prevalence of overweight and obesity.
Drug use among local kids twice national average
At the other end of the spectrum, Beach Cities adolescents are reporting past 30-day alcohol and other drug (AOD) use up to 2.5 times higher than their peers, nationally. Of added concern is the fact that self-reporting of past 30 day AOD use more than doubles from seventh grade to ninth grade among Beach Cities adolescents — far in excess of national trends. By ninth grade, nearly one-third of students report using alcohol and other drugs during the preceding month.
Substance abuse, involving drugs, alcohol, or both, is associated with a range of destructive social conditions. Risk taking behavior, especially among adolescents, is compounded when combined with alcohol use. Research shows that the younger the age of alcohol initiation, the greater the likelihood of engaging in risk-taking behaviors. Individuals who reported alcohol use prior to age 15 were four times more likely to meet the criteria for alcohol dependence during their lifetime.
Heart disease is the leading cause of death in the Beach Cities. Smoking, poor diet, and physical inactivity are the leading preventable causes of heart disease. Two of our cities, Hermosa Beach (17.4 percent) and Redondo Beach (16.0 percent), have higher numbers of adult smokers than the Los Angeles County average (14 percent).
Unhealthy behaviors are compounded by the increasing levels of stress in our lives. According to the Gallup Healthways Wellbeing Index, more than 50 percent of Beach Cities adults report experiencing significant stress in their lives. Higher levels of stress are associated with unhealthy behaviors in both children and adults.
The most effective approach to changing behavior is addressing all levels of the social environment on a personal level; where we live, work and play; through our social networks and public policy. In 2010, Beach Cities Health District entered into a partnership with Healthways to introduce the Blue Zones Project Vitality City to Beach Cities residents. The Beach Cities are now competing to become the world’s first Blue Zones Community.
Paint it blue
Blue Zones are naturally occurring longevity hot spots where the social environment supports longer, healthier, and happier living. Residents in these communities aren’t fitness crazed or serial dieters, they simply live in environments where the healthy choice is the easier, natural choice.
The Beach Cities are working to integrate common traits found in every Blue Zone into our community. Schools, organizations, employers, restaurants, grocery stores, and local governments are all taking actions to support healthy behaviors. Residents are encouraged to make small changes in their personal lives, homes, schools and work. From attending a Purpose workshop, to volunteering to chaperone children on a Walking School Bus, to attending city council meetings to supporting the implementation of the South Bay Master Bicycle Plan, you can make the Beach Cities a healthier place to live, work, and play.
The Blue Zones Project Vitality City is an evidence-based, cost-effective community investment in disease prevention. The continual failure to invest in prevention is the root cause of the dismal state of the health care system and the deterioration of the health and wellbeing of Americans.
Visit bchd.org and bluezonesproject.com to learn more about how the Beach Cities are now leading a nationwide movement to reform health care through prevention and how you can become involved.
Dr. Lisa Santora is the chief medical officer of the Beach Cities Health District.
