By Brandon Stoker
Although Utah women were ranked among the healthiest in the nation, they struggled in some categories of women”s health care.
According to the recent report, “Making the Grade on Women”s Health: A National and State-by-State Report Card 2004,” Utah was ranked eighth overall in America for women”s health. Utah ranked second for having the fewest number of breast cancer deaths and coronary heart disease deaths among women in the nation. In addition, Utah women ranked third in lowest cases of obesity and diabetes.
Despite these positive statistics, the report showed that Utah struggles in some categories. Utah ranked 43rd in the nation when it came to women receiving prenatal care during their first trimester. Dr. Joseph Miner, director of Utah County Health Department, said the women of Utah, especially those of Utah County, are very unique when compared to their peers nationally.
“When we”re compared to the rest of the state we are one of the healthiest counties in Utah, and Utah is one of the healthiest states in the country,” Miner said.
Utah mothers usually delay coming in and getting prenatal care for a few months after the initial pregnancy because they are more confident and experienced as mothers, according to Miner.
“Women feel they are healthy and that they have been through this before,” Miner said. “We still feel it”s very important, though, to get prenatal care within the first trimester, even if women feel it isn”t necessary.”
Susan Chapman, spokeswoman for the Utah County Health Department, said she thinks the prenatal statistic may not be truly representative of the health of women in Utah.
“We do poorly with prenatal care, but we are 2nd in the nation for a low infant mortality rate, and infant mortality rate is a direct indicator of care,” Chapman said. “So prenatal care in the first trimester is very important, but as I look at our infant mortality rates, we really aren”t doing badly … we”re doing extremely well.”
Women in Utah also face trouble with health insurance. According to the report, Utah ranked 24th in the nation for women with health coverage. Tina Teeples, Office Coordinator for Community Health Connect, said Utah women have a different outlook on health insurance.
“I think a lot of the women here in Utah tend to stay home more, be at-home mothers, than be out in the work field. It”s just the area itself,” Teeples said. “A lot of women don”t go looking for the health care because their families help. Actually, Utah”s pretty unique in the fact that families do help. If someone is sick the families are there to help out.”
Teeples said although Utah is doing well with health care coverage, there is room for improvement.
“I”m happy that Utah is that way, but … I think we need to make us No. 1,” Teeples said. “There are enough resources that we should be able to [get more women insured].”
Utah women did rank first in the nation for the fewest number of women who smoke and die of lung cancer. In a 2003 report the National Women”s Law Center found the nation received an overall grade of “Fail” in the women and smoking category. Only two states, Hawaii and Utah, passed.
Chapman said Utah County and the state of Utah are distinctive in the nation when it comes to health care and the health of women.
“Utah County has a lot of colleges, and education plays an important role in health,” Chapman said. “Education always connects directly to a person”s health. Their health status is usually greater with the more education that they have.”
