Massachusetts Health Council: MA shows success in expansion of health services, but still leads in domestic violence

Massachusetts Health Council: Mass. shows success in expansion of health services, but still leads in domestic violence

October 22, 2008... In a report released by the Massachusetts Health Council (MHC), Massachusetts has shown a positive trend in reducing smoking and HIV/AIDS cases, while also expanding access to health care services.

Sen. Richard T. Moore, D-Uxbridge, Senate Chairman of the Committee on Health Care Financing, spoke at the official release of MHC's report, which was titled "Common Health for the Commonwealth: Massachusetts Trends in the Determinants of Health."

While the report was positive in showing that smokers and the amount of HIV/AIDS patients have decreased, there were also some unsettling conclusions drawn. Massachusetts continues to rank as number one in violent crime rates in the Northeast, with young girls and young children becoming increasingly involved in domestic violence and deaths-a number that has tripled since 2005. Additionally, a bevy of statistics concerning health issues shows that Massachusetts still has health concerns, despite expansion of access to health care.

"The report released by the Massachusetts Health Council gives us a prescription for improving the lives and health of the people of Massachusetts," said Sen. Moore. "We find ourselves in tough economic times, and the Council's report shows trends that reflect this. It is vital for our residents to not have to choose between essentials like medicine, food, and heat," Moore continued. "We know that the best way to improve Commonhealth in the Commonwealth is not to get sick or injured; unfortunately, prevention funding has been reduced in the budget, and we must revisit these pennywise-pound foolish cuts."

The Council's report, issued every two years, tracks preventable, costly public health problems including societal issues, such as poverty and lack of education, that contribute to poor health. The report, which contains general policy recommendations to eliminate these problems, is seen and utilized by political leaders as a context and basis for policy formulation.

According to the report, other serious findings were that:

Hepatitis C rates are rising in people ages 15-29;

15.4 percent of Massachusetts adults and 21 percent of middle school students have been diagnosed with asthma;

3.8 percent of Massachusetts high school students dropped out of school;

23.4 percent of Massachusetts adults did not see a dentist in the past year;

59 percent of Massachusetts adults are overweight or obese.

For more information on Sen. Moore's work in the Legislature, please visit www.senatormoore.com.

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