EKB News

The WV Behavorial Risk Factors and Health Report for 2005 was recently released. Residents of all 55 counties are surveyed by phone on health issues.

Southern WV counties are reported to have the poorest health not just in the state, but in the nation.

Mingo County residents have the highest rate for hypertension, and asthma cases. The survey found that Mingo is the second unhealthiest county in the state.

Here are a list of categories, ranking, percentage, state avg, national avg.


Residents considered in fair or poor health

1 McDowell 45
2 Mingo 37.5
3 Wyoming 37.4
4 Logan 34.0
5 Lincoln,Boone 11.6
9 Wayne 28.6
State 24.3
National 16.2

No Health Insurance Ages 18-64

1 McDowell 35.2
2 Mingo 32.4
5 Logan 30.3
7 Wyoming 29.8
21 Wayne 22.2
State 22.8
National 18.2

No Leisure Exercise
1 Mingo 46.9
2 Wyoming 37.6
3 McDowell 36.0
8 Logan 32.4
9 Wayne 32.0
State 28.2
National 24.6

Obesity

1 Logan 40.4
2 Lincoln 34.1
2 Boone 34.1
3 Mingo 34.1
8 McDowell 30.4
State 27.7
National 22.8

Cigarette Smoking

1 Wyoming 39.7
2 Mingo 35.8
6 McDowell 32.5
State 27.5
National 22.2

Diabetes
1 McDowell 16.0
4 Mingo 11.9
5 Lincoln 11.6
5 Boone 11.6
10 Logan 11.0
State 10.0
National 7.5

Hypertension
1 Mingo 42.9
2 McDowell 41.1
3 Logan 38.4
4 Lincoln 38.1
4 Boone 38.1
6 Wyoming 36.2
State 32.6
National 25.8

High Cholesterol

1 McDowell 48.2
3 Logan 44.7
4 Lincoln 44.0
4 Boone 44.0
7 Wyoming 43.3
8 Wayne 43.2
19 Mingo 39.9
State 39.1
National 33.6

Heart Attack, Angina or Stroke

1 Wyoming 23.5
2 Mingo 17.6
2 Logan 17.6
2 McDowell 17.6
6 Boone 15.8
6 Lincoln 15.8
State 13.0

Asthma
1 McDowell 12.7
1 Mingo 12.7
4 Logan 11.7
5 Lincoln 15.8
5 Boone 15.8
The study is conducted annually by the Bureau for Public Health. The results for 2006 should be released within the next six months