Issues 1 and 2: Communication and Awareness / Healthcare Affordability

• A greater proportion of children are now covered by health insurance with an increase of 3.7% over the 1995 rate.
• There have been a significant decrease in the number of respondents who receive coverage from publicly funded programs (either Medicare or Medicaid), with a total reduction of 11.1%.
• There was a decrease of 8.8% in the percentage of respondents who stated that they do not have health insurance because they cannot afford it between 1995 and 2000 (73.4% vs. 64.6%).
• The amount of respondents not eligible for health insurance through employment rose from 4.7% in 1995 to 9.2% in 2000.
• The number of respondents who feel they do not need health insurance rose from 6.3% in 1995 to 9.2% in 2000.
• 100% of 2000 respondents stated they saw the doctor on a regular basis throughout pregnancy, however, the percentage of respondents who stated they saw a doctor in the first three months of pregnancy dropped from 90% in 1995 to 86.7% in 2000.
• According to the "Community Health Status Report" for Lycoming County published by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Lycoming County ranks high (23.5% receive "no care" in the first trimester) as compared to national statistics (17% receive "no care" in the first trimester). LCHIC survey statistics are consistent with these findings with 23.3% of respondents reporting they received no care in the first three months of pregnancy.
• The percentage of respondents who have tried to control their weight through fad diets has increased from 2.2% in 1995 to 9.1% in 2000.
• The percentage of men who exercise 3-5 times per week was reported at 61.4%, while only 58.4% of women exercise 3-5 times per week. One of the Healthy People 2010 goals related to exercise calls for at least 30% of adults age 18 and older to engage in moderate physical activity for at least 30 minutes at least 5 times per week.
• The percentage of respondents, according to gender, who eat five servings of fruits or vegetables everyday: Males 32.8%, Females 67.2%.
• Overall, respondents who need services have improved in all areas except time management and shelter from abuse.
• Dramatic improvements in access of services were noted in: Learning how to stay healthy, Stress or anxiety management, Grief issues, Affordable housing, Unemployment, Transportation for older people and persons with disabilities (in wheelchair, handicapped), Good schools, Recycling programs, Changes in family life, Money management, Dating/sexuality, eating disorders, recreation/entertainment opportunities, visiting nurses/help at home, and help with caring for older people in the family.