Skip directly to searchSkip directly to the site navigationSkip directly to the page's main content

Complete Health Indicator Report of Fair/poor health

Definition

Percentage of adults aged 18 years and older who reported fair or poor general health.

Numerator

Number of survey respondents who reported fair or poor general health.

Denominator

Total number of survey respondents except those with missing, "Don't know/Not sure," and "Refused" responses.

Data Interpretation Issues

Question Text: "Would you say that in general your health is excellent, very good, good, fair or poor?" Beginning in 2011, BRFSS data include both landline and cell phone respondent data along with a new weighting methodology called iterative proportional fitting, or raking. This methodology utilizes additional demographic information (such as education, race, and marital status) in the weighting procedure. Both of these methodology changes were implemented to account for an increased number of U.S. households without landline phones and an under-representation of certain demographic groups that were not well-represented in the sample. More details about these changes can be found at: [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/pdf/opha/resource/brfss/RakingImpact2011.pdf]. As with all surveys, some error results from nonresponse (e.g., refusal to participate in the survey or to answer specific questions), and measurement (e.g., social desirability or recall bias). Error was minimized by use of strict calling protocols, good questionnaire design, standardization of interviewer behavior, interviewer training, and frequent, on-site interviewer monitoring and supervision.

Why Is This Important?

Self-rated health (SRH) has been collected for many years on National Center for Health Statistics surveys and since 1993 on the state-based BRFSS. SRH is an independent predictor of important health outcomes including mortality, morbidity, and functional status. It is considered to be a reliable indicator of a person's perceived health and is a good global assessment of a person's well being.

Other Objectives

Fair/poor health is one of the population outcome indicators tracked by the Utah Department of Health and Human Services to measure success in ensuring its objective that "All Utahns have fair and equitable opportunities to be healthy and safe." [https://dhhs.utah.gov/dhhs-performance-measures-hub/dhhs-scorecard/]

How Are We Doing?

In 2023, approximately 14.5% (age-adjusted rate) of Utah adults aged 18 and older reported fair or poor general health status. In the same time period, 85.5% of Utah adults reported good, very good, or excellent general health status.

How Do We Compare With the U.S.?

Between the years 1993-2023, the proportion of adults who reported good or better health was significantly higher in Utah than for the U.S. as a whole (age-adjusted rates). These age-adjusted rates in 2023 were 85.5% in Utah compared to 81.4% in the U.S.

What Is Being Done?

The Utah Department of Health and Human Services, through many programs, works to prevent avoidable illness, injury, disability, and premature death; assure access to affordable, quality healthcare; and to promote healthy lifestyles.

Available Services

Utah Health Information Phone Numbers: Check Your Health: 1-888-222-2542 [[br]] Utah Tobacco Quit Line: 1-888-567-TRUTH (8788)[[br]] Utah Cancer Control Resource Line: 1-800-717-1811 [[br]] Utah Medicaid Program Information 1-800-662-9651


Related Indicators

Relevant Population Characteristics

Since middle-age adults and older adults are at a greater risk of most chronic conditions, they are more likely to report fair or poor health. Adults with lower incomes and educational attainment are also more likely to report that their health is fair or poor.

Related Relevant Population Characteristics Indicators:


Health Care System Factors

Having health insurance can guarantee access to health care which has an effect on people's health status.

Related Health Care System Factors Indicators:


Risk Factors

Persons with unhealthy behaviors such as sedentary lifestyle, obesity, smoking, and poor dietary habits are at increased risk of poor health status.

Related Risk Factors Indicators:


Health Status Outcomes

Poor health can increase the risk of limitations of activity.

Related Health Status Outcomes Indicators:




Graphical Data Views

Fair or poor general health by age group, Utah, 2023

::chart - missing::
confidence limits

Age groupPercentage of adultsLower LimitUpper Limit
Record Count: 5
18-3411.3%9.8%13.1%
35-4912.5%11.1%14.1%
50-6417.3%15.3%19.4%
65+20.4%18.5%22.4%

Data Source

Utah Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/query/selection/brfss/BRFSSSelection.html]


Fair or poor general health by income category, Utah, 2023

::chart - missing::
confidence limits

Income categoryAge-adjusted percentage of adultsLower LimitUpper Limit
Record Count: 5
<$25,00035.5%31.1%40.0%
$25,000-$49,99923.5%20.8%26.4%
$50,000-$74,99913.6%11.6%16.1%
$75,000+8.5%7.4%9.7%
Total14.5%13.6%15.4%

Data Notes

Age-adjusted to the U.S. 2000 standard population.

Data Source

Utah Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/query/selection/brfss/BRFSSSelection.html]


Fair or poor general health by education level, Utah, 2023

::chart - missing::
confidence limits

Education levelAge-adjusted percentage of adults 25+Lower LimitUpper Limit
Record Count: 5
Less than high school34.9%29.8%40.5%
H.S. grad or G.E.D.19.3%17.3%21.5%
Some post high school14.1%12.5%15.8%
College graduate8.7%7.8%9.8%
Total14.9%14.0%15.9%

Data Notes

Age-adjusted to the U.S. 2000 standard population.

Data Source

Utah Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/query/selection/brfss/BRFSSSelection.html]


Fair or poor general health by ethnicity, Utah, 2023

::chart - missing::
confidence limits

Hispanic ethnicityAge-adjusted percentage of adultsLower LimitUpper Limit
Record Count: 4
Hispanic/Latino23.6%20.7%26.7%
Non-Hispanic/Latino13.0%12.1%13.9%
All ethnicities14.5%13.6%15.4%
U.S.18.6%18.3%18.8%

Data Notes

Age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population.

Data Sources

  • Utah Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/query/selection/brfss/BRFSSSelection.html]
  • Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey Data, US Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).


Fair or poor general health by race, Utah, 2021-2023 and U.S. 2023

::chart - missing::
confidence limits

RaceAge-adjusted percentage of adultsLower LimitUpper Limit
Record Count: 9
American Indian/Alaska Native26.3%21.3%32.1%
Asian7.1%4.9%10.4%
Black, African American19.8%14.9%25.9%
Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander15.6%9.9%23.7%
White12.6%12.1%13.1%
Other16.7%12.9%21.3%
Two or more races19.4%14.5%25.4%
All races13.8%13.3%14.3%
U.S.18.6%18.3%18.8%

Data Notes

Please note that in 2023 the question for race changed. These categories represent respondents reporting a single race alone. If multiple races were given, responses are in the "Two or more races" category. Age-adjusted to the 2000 U.S. standard population based on 3 age groups: 18-34, 35-49, and 50+.

Data Sources

  • Utah Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/query/selection/brfss/BRFSSSelection.html]
  • Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey Data, US Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).


Fair or poor general health by local health district, Utah, 2023

::chart - missing::
confidence limits

Local health districtAge-adjusted percentage of personsLower LimitUpper LimitNote
Record Count: 15
Bear River12.5%9.6%16.1%
Central14.6%11.0%19.1%
Davis County15.5%12.5%19.0%
Salt Lake County14.6%13.1%16.2%
San Juan20.4%12.9%30.9%
Southeast16.6%12.3%22.0%
Southwest14.8%12.1%17.9%
Summit7.8%4.8%12.3%
Tooele18.8%14.5%23.9%
TriCounty19.2%14.7%24.7%
Utah County12.3%10.5%14.4%
Wasatch10.8%6.1%18.4%*
Weber-Morgan15.2%12.5%18.3%
State of Utah14.5%13.6%15.4%
U.S.18.6%18.3%18.8%

Data Notes

*Use caution in interpreting; the estimate has a coefficient of variation >30% and is therefore deemed unreliable by Utah Department of Health and Human Services standards. Age-adjusted to the U.S. 2000 standard population. Note: At the time of this update, the BRFSS U.S. dataset did not include an age variable but did include five age categories up to age 80+ (vs. the typical weighting scheme that includes 85+). Comparisons with both weighting schemes were compared using Utah data, and the difference was about 1/100 of a percentage point.

Data Sources

  • Utah Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/query/selection/brfss/BRFSSSelection.html]
  • Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey Data, US Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).


Fair or poor general health by Utah Small Area, 2021-2023 and U.S. 2023

::chart - missing::
confidence limits

Utah Small AreasAge-adjusted percentage of adultsLower LimitUpper LimitNote
Record Count: 101
Brigham City15.1%9.8%22.5%
Box Elder Co (Other) V29.3%5.5%15.4%
Tremonton9.1%5.0%15.9%*
Logan V211.9%8.9%15.6%
North Logan15.8%10.2%23.5%
Cache (Other)/Rich (All) V212.0%7.5%18.7%
Hyrum17.4%10.3%27.7%
Smithfield10.2%4.2%22.5%*
Ben Lomond17.4%13.9%21.6%
Weber County (East)10.4%7.3%14.4%
Morgan County14.0%7.5%24.7%*
Ogden (Downtown)19.1%14.8%24.3%
South Ogden13.5%9.9%18.0%
Roy/Hooper17.4%13.3%22.4%
Riverdale18.2%12.6%25.5%
Clearfield Area/Hooper16.7%13.0%21.1%
Layton/South Weber18.0%14.2%22.6%
Kaysville/Fruit Heights8.7%5.3%13.7%
Syracuse12.6%7.8%19.5%
Centerville6.9%3.1%14.8%*
Farmington****
North Salt Lake18.5%12.4%26.8%
Woods Cross/West Bountiful14.9%8.4%25.0%
Bountiful12.0%8.7%16.4%
SLC (Rose Park)31.0%24.6%38.1%
SLC (Avenues)2.9%1.5%5.8%*
SLC (Foothill/East Bench)4.0%1.5%10.4%*
Magna21.4%16.4%27.5%
SLC (Glendale) V224.2%16.3%34.4%
West Valley (Center)21.9%17.0%27.6%
West Valley (West) V219.9%14.1%27.2%
West Valley (East) V224.8%19.7%30.7%
SLC (Downtown) V215.4%11.1%21.0%
SLC (Southeast Liberty)12.5%7.1%20.9%*
South Salt Lake21.0%15.1%28.6%
SLC (Sugar House)10.8%7.2%15.7%
Millcreek (South)8.5%4.2%16.4%*
Millcreek (East)12.9%7.4%21.4%*
Holladay V211.1%6.7%17.8%
Cottonwood6.7%4.1%10.7%
Kearns V221.3%15.7%28.3%
Taylorsville (E)/Murray (W)10.7%7.6%15.0%
Taylorsville (West)14.2%10.3%19.2%
Murray14.6%10.3%20.2%
Midvale17.4%12.8%23.3%
West Jordan (Northeast) V213.6%8.8%20.2%
West Jordan (Southeast)14.7%10.5%20.3%
West Jordan (W)/Copperton11.5%7.8%16.8%
South Jordan V212.0%8.4%17.0%
Daybreak8.0%4.9%12.8%
Sandy (West)18.0%12.7%24.8%
Sandy (Center) V26.9%4.4%10.8%
Sandy (Northeast)6.5%3.3%12.6%*
Sandy (Southeast)11.8%7.2%18.8%
Draper9.4%6.3%13.9%
Riverton/Bluffdale9.1%6.2%13.0%
Herriman7.0%4.4%10.9%
Tooele County (Other)12.4%9.0%16.9%
Tooele Valley16.6%13.6%20.1%
Eagle Mountain/Cedar Valley16.6%11.7%22.9%
Lehi10.8%7.9%14.6%
Saratoga Springs6.4%3.2%12.4%
American Fork8.9%6.0%13.0%
Alpine****
Pleasant Grove/Lindon8.8%6.5%12.0%
Orem (North)12.1%8.6%16.6%
Orem (West)14.6%10.7%19.7%
Orem (East)9.2%5.4%15.4%
Provo/BYU10.3%7.1%14.7%
Provo (West City Center)18.6%13.6%24.7%
Provo (East City Center)11.8%6.5%20.5%
Salem City8.2%4.1%15.7%*
Spanish Fork13.7%10.0%18.6%
Springville13.0%9.3%17.8%
Mapleton2.9%1.2%6.9%*
Utah County (South) V212.6%7.5%20.4%
Payson12.7%7.6%20.4%
Park City5.7%3.6%8.7%
Summit County (East)10.6%6.4%17.2%
Wasatch County9.7%6.6%14.0%
Daggett and Uintah County15.6%12.7%18.9%
Duchesne County16.5%12.7%21.2%
Nephi/Mona15.7%9.8%24.0%
Delta/Fillmore18.4%12.1%27.1%
Sanpete Valley13.8%9.5%19.8%
Central (Other)13.6%9.6%18.8%
Richfield/Monroe/Salina13.6%9.7%18.7%
Carbon County17.2%13.7%21.4%
Emery County15.0%10.5%21.1%
Grand County16.8%11.7%23.5%
Blanding/Monticello11.8%7.4%18.4%
San Juan County (Other)35.8%25.0%48.4%
St. George13.5%11.0%16.5%
Washington Co (Other) V28.0%3.6%17.0%*
Washington City10.4%6.6%16.1%
Hurricane/La Verkin20.1%14.7%26.8%
Ivins/Santa Clara9.9%4.6%20.3%
Cedar City18.2%13.6%23.8%
Southwest LHD (Other)13.0%9.1%18.3%
State of Utah13.8%13.3%14.3%
U.S.18.6%18.3%18.8%

Data Notes

Age-adjusted to U.S. 2000 standard population. *Use caution in interpreting; the estimate has a coefficient of variation > 30% and is therefore deemed unreliable by Utah Department of Health and Human Services standards. **Estimates have been suppressed because the relative standard of error is greater than 50%. A description of the Utah Small Areas may be found on IBIS at the following URL: [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/resource/Guidelines.html].

Data Sources

  • Utah Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/query/selection/brfss/BRFSSSelection.html]
  • Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey Data, US Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).


Fair or poor general health, Utah and U.S., 1993-2023

::chart - missing::
confidence limits

BRFSS Utah vs. U.S.YearAge-adjusted percentage of adultsLower LimitUpper Limit
Record Count: 64
UT Old Methodology199312.6%10.9%14.4%
UT Old Methodology199412.2%10.5%13.9%
UT Old Methodology199513.2%11.6%14.9%
UT Old Methodology199612.2%10.7%13.7%
UT Old Methodology199711.9%10.3%13.5%
UT Old Methodology199811.6%10.1%13.0%
UT Old Methodology199911.0%9.6%12.4%
UT Old Methodology200012.3%10.7%13.8%
UT Old Methodology200110.8%9.5%12.0%
UT Old Methodology200211.9%10.7%13.2%
UT Old Methodology200312.3%10.9%13.6%
UT Old Methodology200413.7%12.6%14.8%
UT Old Methodology200514.5%13.3%15.7%
UT Old Methodology200614.2%13.0%15.4%
UT Old Methodology200711.9%10.9%13.0%
UT Old Methodology200811.7%10.7%12.7%
UT Old Methodology200911.6%10.9%12.4%
UT Old Methodology201012.5%11.7%13.4%
US Old Methodology199313.9%13.6%14.2%
US Old Methodology199414.2%13.9%14.6%
US Old Methodology199514.2%13.9%14.6%
US Old Methodology199614.4%14.1%14.7%
US Old Methodology199714.3%14.0%14.6%
US Old Methodology199814.7%14.4%15.0%
US Old Methodology199914.6%14.3%14.9%
US Old Methodology200015.3%15.0%15.6%
US Old Methodology200115.5%15.2%15.7%
US Old Methodology200215.9%15.6%16.1%
US Old Methodology200315.9%15.6%16.1%
US Old Methodology200416.2%15.9%16.5%
US Old Methodology200516.3%16.1%16.6%
US Old Methodology200616.0%15.8%16.3%
US Old Methodology200716.2%16.0%16.5%
US Old Methodology200815.9%15.6%16.1%
US Old Methodology200915.5%15.3%15.8%
US Old Methodology201015.5%15.3%15.7%
UT New Methodology200913.2%12.3%14.0%
UT New Methodology201014.0%13.2%14.8%
UT New Methodology201114.3%13.5%15.1%
UT New Methodology201213.7%12.9%14.5%
UT New Methodology201313.1%12.4%13.9%
UT New Methodology201412.7%12.1%13.4%
UT New Methodology201512.9%12.2%13.7%
UT New Methodology201612.2%11.4%13.0%
UT New Methodology201713.9%13.1%14.8%
UT New Methodology201814.9%14.1%15.8%
UT New Methodology201914.7%13.9%15.6%
UT New Methodology202011.0%10.3%11.8%
UT New Methodology202112.7%11.9%13.6%
UT New Methodology202214.2%13.3%15.2%
UT New Methodology202314.5%13.6%15.4%
US New Methodology201117.5%17.2%17.7%
US New Methodology201217.4%17.2%17.6%
US New Methodology201317.4%17.2%17.6%
US New Methodology201417.3%17.0%17.5%
US New Methodology201516.9%16.2%17.5%
US New Methodology201617.2%17.0%17.5%
US New Methodology201717.9%17.7%18.2%
US New Methodology201817.8%17.5%18.0%
US New Methodology201918.0%17.8%18.3%
US New Methodology202013.9%13.6%14.1%
US New Methodology202116.1%15.9%16.4%
US New Methodology202217.3%17.0%17.5%
US New Methodology202318.6%18.3%18.8%

Data Notes

Age-adjusted to U.S. 2000 population. U.S. data are the average of all states and the District of Columbia; they do not include U.S. territories. Starting in 2009, the BRFSS included both landline and cell phone respondent interviews along with a new weighting methodology called iterative proportional fitting, or raking. More details about these changes can be found at: [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/pdf/opha/resource/brfss/RakingImpact2011.pdf]. Note: At the time of this update, the BRFSS U.S. dataset did not include an age variable but did include five age categories up to age 80+ (vs. the typical weighting scheme that includes 85+). Comparisons with both weighting schemes were compared using Utah data, and the difference was about 1/100 of a percentage point.

Data Sources

  • Utah Department of Health and Human Services Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) [https://ibis.utah.gov/ibisph-view/query/selection/brfss/BRFSSSelection.html]
  • Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Survey Data, US Department of Health and Human Services Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

References and Community Resources

U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) - [http://www.cdc.gov/] Utah Healthy Environments Active Living (HEAL) Program [[br]] [https://heal.utah.gov/][[br]] [[br]] Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System - [http://www.cdc.gov/brfss/]

More Resources and Links

Evidence-based community health improvement ideas and interventions may be found at the following sites:

Additional indicator data by state and county may be found on these Websites:

Medical literature can be queried at the PubMed website.

Page Content Updated On 10/17/2024, Published on 10/22/2024
Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, Office of Research & Evaluation, Utah Department of Health and Human Services | Website: healthassessment.utah.gov/access-brfss-data | Email: Shige Onda sonda@utah.gov
The information provided above is from the Utah Department of Health's Center for Health Data IBIS-PH web site (http://epht.health.utah.gov). The information published on this website may be reproduced without permission. Please use the following citation: " Retrieved Mon, 25 November 2024 2:07:42 from Utah Department of Health, Center for Health Data, Indicator-Based Information System for Public Health Web site: http://epht.health.utah.gov ".

Content updated: Tue, 22 Oct 2024 13:26:53 MDT