the BLOG

04/09/08

Helping people live longer and live healthier is a top priority at the state Department of Health. When someone stops using tobacco, for example, he or she could live a longer, healthier life and avoid some diseases.

Every five years, we issue a report that analyzes chronic disease, life expectancy, injuries, teen pregnancy and other things. It’s a snapshot of how we’re doing, and this update shows progress in some areas and a need to improve in others.

• The good news is people are living longer in our state. Our mortality rates and other measures of general health are good compared to the nation.
• With people living longer, chronic disease takes a higher toll. Death rates for heart disease and cancer are declining even though they’re still the leading causes of death and account for half of all deaths in Washington.
• Injury deaths — including those from drowning, vehicles, suicide and homicide — have declined. We’re seeing a high rate of injury due to falls in older people.
• People are more physically active in our state, yet obesity rates continue to rise.

You can help us by taking care of yourself — quit smoking, buckle your seatbelt, eat more fruits and vegetables, and try to work some more exercise into your regular routine. You’ll be healthier and feel better.

This is national Public Health Week, so I hope you’ll take a moment to check out our report, Health of Washington State 2007, on our Web site. Analyzing these trends is one of the many ways we’re working to protect and improve the health of people in Washington.