Asthma
Asthma is among the most common chronic diseases in the United States and has been increasing since the early 1980s. The greatest increase has been among children under the age of 5. As of 2002, 9.2% of children under age 18 and 10.3% of adults in Franklin County have been diagnosed with asthma. These rates are typically higher in low-income households and among minorities.

Infant Mortality
In Franklin County for the period of 2000-2002, a total of 425 babies died before reaching their first birthday. This translates to an infant mortality rate of 8.2 infant deaths per 1,000 live births. This rate is well above the Healthy People 2010 goal of no more than 4.5 infant deaths per 1,000 live births. During this time period the infant mortality rate among African-Americans was more than twice the Caucasian rate: 14.4 vs. 6.4 per 1,000. For more information, see Division of Maternal and Child Health.

Overweight and Obesity
Since 1995, the proportion of Franklin County adults who are overweight has increased. By 2002, nearly 2/3 (61.7%) of adults had a Body Mass Index of 25 or higher. During the same period, physical activity decreased to only 38.6% of adult residents exercising regularly. More than 15% of children are also overweight. For more information, see 2000 Columbus/Franklin County Community Health Risk Assessment, and Healthy Children Healthy Weights.

Racial Disparities in Health Status
Nationally and locally, the gap in health status between minority populations and Caucasian populations has remained unchanged and in some cases has widened. Local data bear this out for African American and Caucasian populations in Franklin County. Differences are seen by race for a variety of community health measures, such as health status, access to health care, and some health risk behaviors. For example, the death rate due to stroke is 34% higher among African Americans than it is among whites. Being without health care insurance is more common among African-American adults than Caucasian adults (17.5% vs. 6.2%). For more information, see Racial Disparities in Columbus, 2000 Columbus/Franklin County Community Health Risk Assessment, and Office of Minority Health.

Tobacco
Nearly twenty two percent of Franklin County adults reported smoking cigarettes in 2002, a slight decrease since 1995 (26.2%). The Healthy People 2010 goal is no more than 12%. Children are exposed to secondhand smoke at home, with nearly 21% of households with children reporting that smoking occurs in the house. This is much higher than the Healthy People 2010 goal of no more than 10%. For more information, see 2000 Columbus/Franklin County Community Health Risk Assessment, and Office of Community Health Planning.