Health Indicator Report of Fair/poor health

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 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.

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.

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