The meaning of morbidity and mortality are often confused. Morbidity is the incidence of an unhealthy state of a person within a population, and mortality is the rate of death in a population. The morbidity and mortality rates in Beaver County have been changing throughout the years. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Beaver County’s cancer deaths (rate per 100,000 persons) during 2005-2011 was 190.6. Compared to Beaver County’s cancer death rate, the U.S. median cancer death rate was a bit lower at 185.0. Healthy people 2020 came in even lower at a target rate of 161.4 (Centers for Disease, n.d.). Cancer has been the second leading cause of death in the United States for …show more content…
Throughout 2005-2011 the death rate of Coronary Heart disease (rate per 100,000 persons) was 142.7. The U.S median rate was 126.7, and Healthy People 2020 was 103.4 (Centers for Disease, n.d.). Between the male and female population of Beaver County, males have a higher death rate from coronary heart disease. According to Beaver County Health Profile 2015, from 2011-2013 coronary heart disease mortality rate was 189.1 (per 100,000 persons). In comparison of Beaver County coronary heart disease mortality rates and Healthy People 2020 target rate, Beaver County rates have increased throughout the years rather than decrease (Beaver County Health, 2015). This means that people are not getting healthier, and that they are not going to reach Healthy People 2020 target if the rates keep increasing. Obesity is one of much morbidity that is seen in Beaver County. In 2006-2012 28.4% of Beaver County adults 20 years and over reported a BMI > 30kg/m2. The U.S. median for 2006-2012 was 30.4%, and Healthy People 2020 target is 20.1% (Centers for Disease, n.d.). In 2015, the obesity rate for Beaver County was 31% (Health Behaviors, 2015). In comparison of the years 2006-2012 and 2015, the obesity rate increased by 2% exceeding the Healthy People 2020 target of