Health Analysis Ranks Tolland, Middlesex, Fairfield Counties At Top of List

If you’re looking for the healthiest counties in Connecticut, look no further than Tolland and Middlesex Counties.  According to a report released by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute, Connecticut’s eight counties vary across a range of health categories and indices. In the report’s analysis of health outcomes, the order of ranking was Tolland, Fairfield, Middlesex, Litchfield, New London, Hartford, Windham, and New Haven.

The report – County Health Rankings & Roadmaps - also includes a ranking by Health Factors, which finds a slightly altered order:  Middlesex, Tolland, Litchfield, Fairfield, New London, Hartford, New Haven, and Windham. Factors included in the analysis are health behaviors, clinical care, social & economic factors, and physical environment.

The Rankings look at a variety of measures that affect health such as the rate of people dying before age 75, high school graduation rates, unemployment, limited access to healthy foods, air and water quality, income, and rates of smoking, obesity and teen births.

The report relies on a robust set of data and analysis that allows counties to see what it is that is making residents sick or healthy and how they compare to other counties in the same state. A dynamic, interactive website shows the rank of the health of nearly every county in the nation and illustrates “that much of what affects health occurs outside of the doctor’s office.”

It examines25 factors that influence health, including rates of childhood poverty, rates of smoking, obesity levels, teen birth rates, access to physicians and dentists, rates of high school graduation and college attendance, access to healthy foods, levels of physical inactivity, and percentages of children living in single parent households.

The data has been used to garner support among government agencies, healthcare providers, community organizations, business leaders, policymakers, and the public for local health improvement initiatives. The website’s Action Center offers access to free personalized assistance to places that need guidance on what steps to take to make their communities healthier places to live, learn, work, and play.

This year’s Rankings show significant new national trends:

• Child poverty rates have not improved since 2000, with more than one in five children living in poverty.
• Violent crime has decreased by almost 50 percent over the past two decades.
• The counties where people don’t live as long and don’t feel as well mentally or physically have the highest rates of smoking, teen births, and physical inactivity, as well as more preventable hospital stays.
• Teen birth rates are more than twice as high in the least healthy counties than in the healthiest counties.
• Access to health care remains an important factor and this year, the Rankings include residents’ access to dentists, as well as primary care doctors. Residents living in healthier counties are 1.4 times more likely to have access to a doctor and dentist than those in the least healthy counties.

The County Health Roadmap, which accompany the rankings, are designed to help bring people together from all walks of life to look at the many factors that influence health, focus on strategies that work, learn from other communities so as not to reinvent the wheel, and make changes that will have a lasting impact on health.

The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation focuses on the pressing health and health care issues facing our country. As the nation’s largest philanthropy devoted exclusively to health and health  care, the Foundation works with a diverse group of organizations and individuals to identify solutions and achieve comprehensive, measurable, and timely change.

The University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute is the focal point within the University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health for translating public health and health policy research into practice.

First-in-Nation Audio Service for Hospitalized Children Launched in Connecticut

In what may be the first program of its kind in the nation, CRIS Radio and Connecticut Children's Medical Center are working together to offer children who are patients at the hospital a new way to pass their time while receiving medical treatment. Connecticut Children's patients may now listen to CRISKids, a service that provides audio versions of articles published in nearly 20 award-winning children's magazines, through the hospital's in-house television system.  The audio alternative to printed magazines - through an in-house system streamed to each patient TV – can be tremendously comforting for young patients unable to read or turn pages of a magazine due to their condition or medical treatment.

CRIS (Connecticut Radio Information System) is a 34-year-old nonprofit based in Windsor and is Connecticut's only radio-reading service providing audio access to news and information for people who are blind or print-handicapped, including those unable to read due to physical, learning, intellectual or emotional disabilities.

CRISKids, the only extensive line-up of audio versions of children's magazines in the nation and Canada, was launched in December 2011.  More than a dozen titles are available, mostly for children aged 4 to 15, including National Geographic for Kids, Science World, Ranger Rick,  Junior Scholastic, Sports Illustrated for Kids and Scholastic News.

CRIS Board Chairman William H. Austin said that the Board “is excited to form a partnership with Connecticut Children's and thankful for the funding support received to bring this project to life.  Comcast provided technical assistance and a donation of special equipment necessary for the project. Other funders of the project include the Ellen Jeanne Goldfarb Memorial Charitable Trust, and the Ahearn Family Foundation.

"The availability of CRISKidsTM in patient rooms will allow children to enjoy educational entertainment, which is an extremely valuable offering and can be a helpful component of the healing process," said Martin J. Gavin, President and CEO of Connecticut Children's Medical Center.

The CRISKids initiative has received financial support from several foundations, including: Help for the Blind of Eastern Connecticut, Fund for Greater Hartford, The Gibney Family Foundation, and the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.

CRIS Radio records more than 70 newspapers and magazines to provide audio access to printed material for people who are blind and print-handicapped. The audio recordings can be heard with a special CRIS radio, toll-free through the CRIS Telephone Reader, online streaming live or on-demand at the CRIS Radio website, www.crisradio.org, or with any mobile device, including tablets or smartphones.  CRIS operates with nearly 350 volunteers at its broadcast center in Windsor and four satellite studios located in Danbury, Norwich, Trumbull and West Haven.  The CRISKids program is also available for individual subscription.

Connecticut Children's Medical Center is a nationally recognized, 187-bed not-for-profit children's hospital serving as the primary teaching hospital for the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine. Named among the best in the nation for several of its pediatric specialties in the annual U.S. News & World Report "Best Children's Hospitals" rankings.

Connecticut to Receive National Support to Reduce Premature Births

With one in 10 babies born premature in the state, the National Governors Association (NGA) has targeted Connecticut and three other states for extra help in better developing and coordinating policies to reduce the rate of preterm births. NGA will convene in-state sessions with the selected states to facilitate this process and convene a networking conference for that group of states to share lessons learned and to further their respective planning processes. NGA has selected Kentucky, Louisiana and Michigan, along with Connecticut, to participate in a Learning Network on Improving Birth Outcomes. The goal is to assist states in developing, implementing and aligning their key policies and initiatives related to the improvement of birth outcomes, as measure by the incidence of preterm births and infant mortality.

Of the 41,000 babies born each year in Connecticut, about 4,000 are born preterm. The median gestational age for these babies is 35 weeks -- about a month earlier than the median 39 weeks for a full-term birth. These babies typically weigh 5.5 pounds compared with the full-term rate of 7.5 pounds.

The Learning Network will focus on demonstrated best practices of states that have improved birth outcomes. Participating states will learn about coordinating activities across agencies and options to accelerate the pace of improving outcomes and reducing costs.

The nation's premature birthrate is 11.7% of all live births — the lowest in a decade, according to figures from the National Center for Health Statistics. The March of Dimes has set a goal of 9.6% by 2020.  Nationwide, key signs of improvement in the report issued late last year:

• Four states (Vermont, Oregon, New Hampshire and Maine) earned an "A" for meeting the 9.6% goal; in 2010, only Vermont earned the top grade.
• Connecticut, at 10.1%, received a “B” in the report.
• 45 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico posted improved preterm birthrates from 2009 to 2011, earning 16 of them better grades.
• The states with the highest preterm birthrates — Mississippi (16.9%), Louisiana (15.6%), Alabama (14.9%) — are among 48 states, along with Puerto Rico (17.5%) and the District of Columbia (13.7%) that have all formally set goals to lower their preterm rates 8% by 2014 from their 2009 rates.

Connecticut's rate of pre-term births also reflect a racial and ethnic disparity. The pre-term rates are 14 percent among black/African Americans, 12 percent among Latinos and 9.4 percent among whites, according to the state Department of Public Health.

The initiative  is part of the Alliance for Information on Maternal and Child Health Services (AIM). AIM is sponsored by the Maternal and Child Health Bureau of Health Resources and Services Administration of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

Premature birth is associated with infant mortality as well as a greater risk of learning disabilities and lifelong hearing and visual problems. Some of the major risk factors for having a premature baby are smoking during pregnancy and having a pre-existing medical condition, such as diabetes or hypertension, officials said.

Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, Angel Ride Launch Anniversary Years

Registration has opened for this year’s Angel Ride, an all-volunteer effort that organizes annual athletic endurance events as fundraising initiatives with 100 percent of the money raised going directly to The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp's Hospital Outreach Program.  This year’s events, marking the 10^th anniversary of Angel Ride amidst the 25^th anniversary year of The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, will be held May 25-26. Angel Ride, a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, has supported The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp's Hospital Outreach Program since 2007. Hospital Outreach® brings the hopeful, playful spirit of The Hole In The Wall Gang Camp – founded in 1988 by the late actor and philanthropist Paul Newman - to children and families in the hospital setting. By offering unique, creative and developmentally appropriate activities and interactions, the program helps to restore joy and laughter in a time often laden with fear, stress and uncertainty. Consistent with other Camp programs, it is available to hospitals and families at no cost.

This past year, 18,000 hospitalized children received a visit from "Camp".  They work collaboratively with hospital staff to enhance, augment or support existing programs focused on improving the quality of life during treatment. The Hospital Outreach Program brings the joy and fun of Camp’s summer programming to seriously ill children year-round. Yale-New Haven Hospital and the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center are among the hospitals in the Northeast that are participating in the program.

The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp recently released an inspiring song and music video to kick off its 25th anniversary as a hideout where seriously ill kids can simply be kids.  Natalie Merchant, one of America's most respected recording artists, created a new sing-a-long version of her iconic song "Wonder" and recorded it at the Camp in Ashford, Conn. this past summer with the campers. In the music video, Merchant leads the kids in song interspersed with clips of the late Paul Newman and the campers sharing what the Camp means to them.

Another newly released video highlights the connection between campers Hannah and Janis, who have formed a special bond during the past two years at The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp.  That bond has allowed them to face the challenges of mitochondrial disease together and experience “a different kind of healing.” The unforgettable story of their friendship brings the unique spirit of The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp to life in the first online “Healing Feeling” profile, which is part of a series being released during the Camp’s 25th anniversary.

"Wonder" was written by Natalie Merchant for her first solo album "Tigerlily."  The song, released as a single in 1996, reached the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. Its lyrics contain the refrain, "They say I must be one of the wonders" and were inspired by Merchant’s own experience meeting twin sisters coping with a congenital disease. Merchant was struck by how positive the girls were as they faced significant challenges, thanks to an inner strength that she attributed to the love and support of their family and friends.

"For years, I've been told by parents of kids with special needs and medical staff and children themselves that 'Wonder' has become an anthem for sick kids. So I know the healing power of the song. I am delighted to add my voice to all the love, camaraderie and sharing that goes on at Camp.  Paul really did it so well. The Camp is a magical place."

Hole in the Wall Gang Camp, Angel Ride Launch Anniversary Years

Registration has opened for this year’s Angel Ride, an all-volunteer effort that organizes annual athletic endurance events  as fundraising initiatives with 100 percent of the money raised going directly to The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp's Hospital Outreach Program.  This year’s events - marking the 10th anniversary of Angel Ride, amidst the 25th anniversary year of the remarkable Camp - will be held May 25-26. Angel Charitable Trust, a 501 (c) 3 non-profit organization,  has supported The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp's Hospital Outreach Program since 2007.  Hospital Outreach® brings the hopeful, playful spirit of The Hole In The Wall Gang Camp – founded in 1988 by the late actor and philanthropist Paul Newman - to children and families in the hospital setting.  By offering unique, creative and developmentally appropriate activities and interactions, the program helps to restore joy and laughter in a time often laden with fear, stress and uncertainty. The Hospital Outreach Program brings the joy and fun of Camp’s summer programming to seriously ill children year-round.

This past year, 18,000 hospitalized children received a visit from "Camp". Consistent with other Camp programs, it is available to hospitals and families at no cost.  They work collaboratively with hospital staff to enhance, augment or support existing programs focused on improving the quality of life during treatment. Yale-New Haven Hospital and the Connecticut Children’s Medical Center are among the hospitals in the Northeast that are participating in the program.

The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp recently released an inspiring song and music video to kick off its 25th anniversary as a hideout where seriously ill kids can simply be kids.  Natalie Merchant, one of America's most respected recording artists, created a new sing-a-long version of her iconic song "Wonder" and recorded it at the Camp in Ashford, Conn. this past summer with the campers. In the music video, Merchant leads the kids in song interspersed with clips of the late Paul Newman and the campers sharing what the Camp means to them.

Another newly released video highlights the connection between campers Hannah and Janis, who have formed a special bond during the past two years at The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp.  That bond has allowed them to face the challenges of mitochondrial disease together and experience “a different kind of healing.” The unforgettable story of their friendship brings the unique spirit of The Hole in the Wall Gang Camp to life in the first online “Healing Feeling” profile, which is part of a series being released during the Camp’s 25th anniversary.

"Wonder" was written by Natalie Merchant for her first solo album "Tigerlily."  The song, released as a single in 1996, reached the top 20 on the Billboard Hot 100 charts. Its lyrics contain the refrain, "They say I must be one of the wonders" and were inspired by Merchant’s own experience meeting twin sisters coping with a congenital disease. Merchant was struck by how positive the girls were as they faced significant challenges, thanks to an inner strength that she attributed to the love and support of their family and friends.

"For years, I've been told by parents of kids with special needs and medical staff and children themselves that 'Wonder' has become an anthem for sick kids. So I know the healing power of the song. I am delighted to add my voice to all the love, camaraderie and sharing that goes on at Camp.  Paul really did it so well. The Camp is a magical place."

The Camp was recently featured on CBS Sunday Morning.

Concussion Dangers Continue to Resonate in High School Sports

Nearly 450 Idaho prep athletes who competed last fall in football, soccer and volleyball were held out of games or missed practice because of confirmed or potential concussions, according to a new survey reported by the Associated Press. The survey was conducted by the Boise-based Idaho High School Activities Association, the governing body for all prep sports and high schools statewide. The survey was sent to all schools, but data compiled in the findings are based on responses from just 45 percent, or 68, schools from all competitive class levels.

Football was by far the leading sport for missed games or practices, with 307 football players missing action during the season last fall, according to a story published Friday in the Idaho Statesman. Girls soccer ranked second, followed by boys soccer and volleyball.

A recent study in Massachusetts found that 28 percent of high school athletes in the state have shown regression in their cognitive abilities after moderate exertion once returning to the playing field too soon following a concussion. The study highlighted that high school student-athletes who have suffered concussions are returning to the playing field before their brain has fully recovered.

The study, conducted by neuropsychologist Neal McGrath of Brookline, Mass., looked at 54 athletes in football, soccer and hockey who suffered head injuries. McGrath told the Boston Globe that the findings suggest more oversight is needed in regard to when athletes can return to the field following a concussion. The study is schedule to be published in the upcoming issue of Brain Injury.

The findings come on the heels of the Boston Globe’s findings last October that almost 3,000 students in Massachusetts schools suffered concussions while playing sports during the 2011-12 school year.

Connecticut was one of the first states in the nation to adopt a concussion law,

following Oregon and Washington, which implemented similar statutes in 2009. Connecticut's concussion law was signed by Gov. M. Jodi Rell on May 19, 2010 and became effective July 1, 2010. The law is in place to prevent student-athletes from participating in games after suffering head injuries.  Main provisions include:

• All coaches holding a coaching permit issued by the State Board of Education are required to take a three-hour concussion training course

• Annually, coaches are expected to review new information provided by the State Board of Education

• Every five years after the initial training, coaches must complete a refresher course

• Any athlete who exhibits signs or symptoms of a concussion must be removed from play

• Athletes will not be permitted to return to play until they have received written medical clearance from a qualified medical provider

• Coaching permits may be revoked if coaches are in violation of these provisions

Connecticut state law requires all coaches to take a concussion management course prior to the start of their season.

The web site Masters in Health Care has prepared an extensive infographic with nationwide data highlighting the prevalence of concussions and symptoms to keep a watchful eye for.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has developed a web page with information about concussions and injury prevention.  Heads Up: Concussion in Youth Sports is a free, online course available to coaches, parents, and others helping to keep athletes safe from concussion.

It features interviews with leading experts, dynamic graphics and interactive exercises, and compelling storytelling to help recognize a concussion and know how to respond.

Economic Impact of CT Hospitals Highlighted in Report

Connecticut hospitals contribute $20 billion to the state and local economies, according to a report, Connecticut Hospitals: Improving Health, Strengthening Connecticut’s Economy, compiled by the Connecticut Hospital Association (CHA). According to the CHA report, Connecticut hospitals provide more than 54,000 jobs, with a total annual payroll of $5.2 billion.  Earnings by Connecticut hospital and health system employees reverberate through the community, creating an additional 55,000 jobs in the local economy.

The four-page report, which focused on the economic impact of Connecticut’s hospitals and was released in the opening weeks of the state legislative session, noted that “hospitals and health systems serve as a magnet for other healthcare businesses and a stimulus for new businesses such as retail stores, banks, grocery stores and restaurants.”

Connecticut hospitals are major employers and purchasers of goods and services, spending $9.6 billion in 2011 – funds that help to stimulate further economic growth across the state.  Goods and services purchased by hospitals, and funding spent on buildings and equipment, create additional economic value.  With these “ripple effects” included, an additional $10.4 billion is added to the Connecticut economy, resulting in a total contribution of $20 billion by Connecticut’s hospitals to the state’s economy, CHA official pointed out.

The report indicates that Connecticut hospitals treat more than 1.6 million patients in their emergency departments, bring nearly 38,000 babies into the world, and care for more than 420,000 admitted patients, providing more than 2 million days of inpatient care.

“Connecticut hospitals are a critical economic engine,” said Jennifer Jackson, President and CEO, CHA.  “They are often a community’s largest employer, stimulating jobs and attracting other businesses.  At a time when the state has never relied more on its hospitals for the safety net they provide, it is critical – both to our quality of life and economic health – that these institutions remain strong and stable.”

CHA membership includes 29 acute care hospitals and health care organizations and facilities throughout the state.  The report was issued at a time of considerable change in both the healthcare delivery and business sides of the industry, with mergers and affiliation agreements having been reached or under active consideration among industry leaders in Hartford, New Haven, Waterbury, New London and elsewhere across Connecticut, as well as nationally.

Connecticut Has 4th Highest Costs for Residents of Assisted-Living Facilities

The average monthly cost of a room in an assisted-living facility is higher in Connecticut than in 48 states.  Only Delaware, New Hampshire and the District of Columbia, on average, have higher rates than the Land of Steady Habits. The top twelve, as reported by the Wall Street Journal:

1. District of Columbia         $5,933
2. Delaware                             $5,249
3. New Hampshire                $5,086
4. Connecticut                        $4,935
5. Maine                                   $4,881
6. Alaska                                   $4,850
7. New Jersey                        $4,794
8. Vermont                              $4,741
9. Massachusetts                  $4,660
10. Hawaii                                   $4,659
11. Maryland                             $4,546
12. New York                            $4,011

The data reported in the WSJ was compiled by the MetLife Mature Market Institute, based on a survey of nearly 6,700 long-term care providers nationwide. At the other end of the spectrum, 12 states had average monthly costs that were below $3,000.  Lowest rate?  Arkansas at $2,355 – less than half that of the eight most costly states, including Connecticut.

Latino Community’s “Champions of Change” Have Leading Roles in 2013

Looking to 2013 as a year when “we can all increase our efforts to work together to affect change in so many arenas,” the website ctlatinonews.com has named five “Champions of Change” in the Latino community. The individuals “have accomplished change through various means, some through their professional work, others by generously volunteering their time, working for change through policy implementation or by using the legal system,” according to the website.  They were selected by the new site’s editorial team and represent many sectors that include: health, business, politics, media, art and law. In addition, ctlatinonews.com also selected Five Young Latinos already making a difference, Five Non-profit Organizations, Five Latinos in Media & Arts and the Most Visible Latino.

Connecticut’s top five Latino “Champions of Change” as selected by ctlatinonews.com are John Soto, Frances Padilla, Yvette Meléndez, Andres Ayala, and Beatriz Gutierrez.

Frances Padilla: Through her life-long personal commitment and volunteer work, and as well as being one of the state’s leading health reform advocates, Frances G. Padilla is impacting quality of life for all Connecticut residents. As president of the Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut, Frances has provided strategic direction and visionary leadership.  She is initiating new partnerships, increasing outreach and deepening civic engagement on one of the most important public policy issues of our time.  A graduate of Wesleyan University and Harvard’s Kennedy School of Government, Frances has also given much of her personal time over the years to benefit the state’s Latino community.

Yvette Meléndez: Yvette Meléndez had held several executive positions in key organizations where she has been able to affect policy change. She is currently the vice president, Government and Community Alliances, for Hartford Hospital. Prior to this post she served as chief of staff for the Connecticut State University System, deputy commissioner at the Department of Public Health and Addiction Services, and at the State Department of Education where she launched Connecticut’s entry into the charter school movement.She also serves as vice chair of the Board of Regents for Higher Education, and as vice chair of the Hartford Foundation for Public Giving.

Andres Ayala, Jr.: Born in Bridgeport, newly elected state Senator Andres Ayala Jr. is a champion of change in the political arena as well as through his role as a community leader, where he has spent his career building opportunities and opening doors for others. He was elected in November 2012 to represent the 23rd Senatorial District, the first Democrat Latino Senator in Connecticut history.   He previously served three terms as state representative for the 128^th district. Ayala’s political life began on the Bridgeport City Council, where he rose to City Council president – the first Latino ever to do so.   He worked to develop  Bridgeport’s school building plan, which created five new schools.   He is an educator in the Bridgeport school system, and has worked as a teacher, dean of students and advisor to the Aspira Youth Development Program.

Beatriz Gutierrez:  Beatriz Gutierrez is helping to change the future of Connecticut by making it more of a global player in the marketplace in her role as head of the Department of Economic and Community Development’s international business development efforts. She brings a unique perspective as a Latina with a strong business background and knowledge of the world.  Born in the United States to Colombian parents, and raised in Colombia, Gutierrez returned to the U.S. to study electrical engineering at Marquette University in Milwaukee,  graduating in 1990. Gutierrez’ office at DECD is currently developing a strategic plan for Connecticut to compete in international markets.

John Soto:  The owner of Space-Craft Manufacturing in New Haven, John Soto has used his business acumen and wealth for social and economic change through philanthropy. Born in Puerto Rico, he started his company 42 years ago with four employees and today Space-Craft Manufacturing is now recognized as an industry leader, Soto has personally donated hundreds of thousands of dollars over the years and devoted countless hours of his time to Latino related organizations, especially those whose mission is helping Connecticut’s youth.

CT Among Leaders in Heart Health; States Vary Significantly Study Finds

If  heart health matters to you and you live in New England – especially Vermont or Connecticut - you’re in good company.  Americans’ cardiovascular health varies greatly from state to state, according to new research in the Journal of the American Heart Association (JAHA) - the first study to assess cardiovascular health at the state level. Among the findings:  people living in the New England states – including Connecticut – generally reported having among the highest percentage with “ideal cardiovascular health.”  Only the District of Columbia had better across-the-board numbers.  Among the findings:

• The percentage of the population with ideal cardiovascular health varies from 1.2 in Oklahoma to 6.9 in Washington, D.C.
• The percentage of the population reporting ideal cardiovascular health — defined as having optimal levels of all seven factors — was lowest in Oklahoma, West Virginia, and Mississippi.
• Ideal cardiovascular health was highest in Washington, D.C. (6.9), Vermont (5.5), Connecticut (5.5), Virginia (5.0), Massachusetts (4.6), Maine (4.5), and New Hampshire (4.5).

Overall, in the nationwide study funded by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC):

• About 3 percent of the total U.S. population reported having ideal heart health.
• About 10 percent of the total population reported having poor cardiovascular health, with two or less heart-health factors at optimal levels.

Researchers collected information on the American Heart Association’s seven major heart-health factors: blood pressure, total cholesterol, smoking, body mass index, diabetes, physical activity, and fruit and vegetable consumption. (used as a proxy measure in the study for a healthy diet.)

“Since the CDC is funding state heart disease and stroke prevention programs, we thought it would be helpful to have cardiovascular health information on the state level,” said Jing Fang, M.D., M.S., an epidemiologist with the CDC’s Division for Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention.  “Americans reported having on average more than four of the seven risk factors for heart disease,” Fang said. “We also found large disparities by age, sex, race/ethnicity and levels of education.”

Using 2009 data from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System – a telephone survey was conducted of more than 350,000 people in the 50 states and Washington, D.C. The report, in December 2012, could help state officials set goals to reduce risk of heart attack and stroke and improve cardiovascular health.

The American Heart Association goal is, by the year 2020, to improve the cardiovascular health of all Americans by 20 percent while reducing deaths from cardiovascular diseases and stroke by 20 percent.