Definition
The rate of stroke deaths (ICD-10 codes I60-I69 as the underlying cause of death) per 100,000 population.Numerator
The number of deaths due to stroke (ICD-10 codes I60-I69 as the underlying cause of death) in a calendar year.Denominator
Total midyear resident population for the same calendar year.Why Is This Important?
In the U.S., there are more than 140,000 deaths due to stroke each year ([https://www.cdc.gov/stroke/facts.htm]). Stroke, the death of brain tissue usually resulting from artery blockage, was the sixth leading cause of death in Utah in 2020. There were 916 deaths with stroke as the underlying cause of death in the state.Healthy People Objective: Reduce stroke deaths
U.S. Target: 34.8 deaths per 100,000 population
State Target: 28.2 deaths per 100,000 population
How Are We Doing?
Utah is getting closer to its target of reducing stroke deaths to 28.2 per 100,000 population. Death rates for stroke have generally declined in recent decades. This trend is likely related to improvements in acute stroke care and in improved detection and treatment of hypertension, a risk factor for stroke. In 1999 (the year ICD-10 codes were adopted for death coding), the age-adjusted death rate for stroke in Utah was 61.3 per 100,000 population. In 2020, the age-adjusted death rate was 34.0 per 100,000 population.How Do We Compare With the U.S.?
In 2020, the age-adjusted Utah rate was 34.0 per 100,000.
In comparison, the 2019 U.S. rate was 37.0 per 100,000.
U.S. data were obtained through CDC WONDER. Age-adjusted rates assume the age distribution for Utah and the U.S. are the same; in other words, it provides rates as though both populations have the same number of people in each age group. The age-adjusted rate for Utah is only a little lower than the national rate.What Is Being Done?
Originally the EPICC Program (The Healthy Living through Environment, Policy, and Improved Clinical Care Program), The Healthy Environments, Active Living (HEAL) Program was formed in 2013, consolidating three Utah Department of Health programs (Diabetes Prevention and Control Program, Heart Disease and Stroke Prevention Program, and the Physical Activity, Nutrition, and Obesity Program). The purpose of the consolidation was to ensure a productive, collaborative, and efficient program focused on health outcomes.
The HEAL Program aims to reduce the incidence of diabetes, heart disease, and stroke by targeting risk factors including reducing obesity, increasing physical activity and nutritious food consumption, and improving diabetes and hypertension control.Health Program Information
The Healthy Environments, Active Living (HEAL) Program is a program within the Utah Department of Health Bureau of Health Promotion. HEAL focuses on enabling education and engaged change for public health by engaging its three main audiences: individuals, partners, and decision-makers.
HEAL champions public health initiatives and addresses the challenges of making health awareness and access truly universal and equitable in eight key areas: nutrition, heart health, diabetes, physical activity, schools, child care, community health workers, and worksites.
