(SitNews) Anchorage, Alaska - Preliminary results from the initial Healthy Alaskans 2020 survey have been released. Alaskans were invited to take the survey between Sept. 17 and Oct. 22, 2012. The results will be used to formulate the next survey, which will be designed to further narrow the list of leading health issues. The process is expected to guide health efforts in our state based on common health goals over the next decade.

According to the more than 1,500 Alaskans who responded to the survey, the top 10 health issues important to Alaskans, in order of priority, are:

• alcohol use and abuse;
• cost of health care;
• diet, exercise and obesity;
• other substance abuse;
• violence;
• community safety;
• quality of life and well-being;
• sexual and reproductive practices;
• chronic disease related health outcomes; and
• education.

Questions in the survey were divided into five main categories: Health Behaviors, Access to Care, Social and Economic Factors, Physical Environment, and Health Outcomes. The top concerns for each of the categories included:

Specific Health Behaviors most concerned about

• Overweight and obesity 15.4%
• Heavy drinking 9.6%
• Illegal drug use 7.4%

Specific Access to Care topic most concerned about:

• Ability to pay for health care 39.2%
• Having a regular health care provider in your area 12.9%

General Social and Economic Factor most concerned about:

• Individuals and families living in poverty 11.5%
• Having enough household income 11.0%
• People driving while intoxicated 10.2%
• Child maltreatment 8.4%

General Physical Environment topic most concerned about:

• Access to healthy foods (including in schools) 20.6%
• Access to recreational activity and physical activity (including P.E. in schools) 19.1%
• Availability of safe places to walk and bike 15.6%
• Access to clean water and waste-water services 9.4%

Specific Health Outcome topic most concerned about:

• Mental health 16.3%
• Drugs or alcohol-related deaths 15.1%
• Poor health or death due to overweight or obesity 12.3%
• Health-related quality of life 12.2%
• Suicide 11.5%

The next survey period begins Jan. 15, 2013. The survey will once again be open to all Alaskans.

On the Web:

Healthy Alaskans 2020 report
Community of Interest Survey: September 17-October 22, 2012
http://www.hss.state.ak.us/dph/ha2020/assets/KeyFindings.pdf

Source of News: 

Alaska Department of Health & Social Services
www.hss.state.ak.us

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