Story last updated at 12/19/2012 - 3:02 pm
ANCHORAGE - 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:
Please select the specific Health Behaviors you are most concerned about:
Overweight and obesity 15.4 percent
Heavy drinking 9.6 percent
Illegal drug use 7.4 percent
Please select the specific Access to Care topic you are most concerned about:
Ability to pay for health care 39.2 percent
Having a regular health care provider in your area 12.9 percent
Please select the general Social and Economic Factor you are most concerned about:
Individuals and families living in poverty 11.5 percent
Having enough household income 11.0 percent
People driving while intoxicated 10.2 percent
Child maltreatment 8.4 percent
Please select the general Physical Environment topic you are most concerned about:
Access to healthy foods (including in schools) 20.6 percent
Access to recreational activity and physical activity (including P.E. in schools) 19.1 percent
Availability of safe places to walk and bike 15.6 percent
Access to clean water and waste-water services 9.4 percent
Please select the specific Health Outcome topic you are most concerned about:
Mental health 16.3 percent
Drugs or alcohol-related deaths 15.1 percent
Poor health or death due to overweight or obesity 12.3 percent
Health-related quality of life 12.2 percent
Suicide 11.5 percent
The complete report is available on the Healthy Alaskans 2020 website at ha2020.alaska.gov. The next survey period begins Jan. 15, 2013. The survey will once again be open to all Alaskans at ha.2020.alaska.gov.
