Douglas County improves, but still low on the healthy county list
DOUGLAS COUNTY, Ore. -- The results are in, and although the health of Douglas County is better this year, a report says the county is still near the bottom of the list.
According to the report released on Wednesday, Douglas County ranks 30 out of 33 counties for overall health.
The report takes into account things like tobacco use and physical activity, along with factors including education, income and access to health care.
Counties across the country are ranked according to their health outcomes.
Officials with the Douglas County Healh Department said in a release that they are glad to see improvement in the standings. “Although Douglas County received a low overall health ranking of 30 out of 33 Oregon counties, we are pleased to see some improvement since last year’s report,” said Peggy Madison, Administrator of Douglas County Health & Social Services.
You can see the report and track other counties here.
A closed sociaty. Hmmmmmm
Sounds as if some of you have never been out of Douglas County. This is more common than we want to believe.
DCIPA. That is the problem.
We need to go back to some good old fashioned M.D.'s. Too many specialists...you receive a PCP and then are referred to several other specialists.
I'm so tired of being treated before knowing the actual problem or cause. Why is it ok to prescribe prescribe prescribe prescribe prescribe yet if you want a test or a specialist it is all out war. When a person has a recurring migraine for more than 45 days I'd say that common sense would prevail and a head ct at the least should be ordered. I can't even get into see the Neuro until April 1. Lack of qualified specialist is a huge problem for this citizen.
I went to a dr twice and ended up at the er once for emerncy surgery and the other time for a serious matter both times I was told there's nothing wrong with u and that's what great drs we have the really good ones always leave gee I wonder why
My guess is an older population actually helps. Retirees have medicare and are able to go to the doctor a few times a year for a checkup. As far as drugs, drugs are a problem everywhere in western Oregon. We're not special in that regard.
Older population
Meth!, Heroin!, Pot, Alcoholics need I go on? the drugs in this County are SO BAD!, an because of the Amount an ease of accessing such stuff in this County it's not surprising to me at all! Don't get me wrong!, I do NOT USE, I just See ALOT OF those who DO!!!! and it's VERY SAD TO SEE!!!
The real problem is both economic and poor accessability to healthcare
It has a lot to do with the people in this area. They make a lot of poor choices for them selves, weather it is getting addicted to drugs or getting overweight because they don't want to work or have active life's
Well, some lead you to believe they think they do and some should never be allowed to even practice, but they are people too, and none of us are perfect. And, we know our own bodies, maybe we should take an active interest in our health, instead of expecting the doctor to know all from what little we can tell them. The biggest problem is we have too many problems with health care, from bad insurance to bad doctors to bad patients.
People lack insurance and money causing them to ignore preventative care.
After all, they are PRACTICING medicine. Never said they know it all.
And all the people complaining about dcipa, maybe be grateful its free , courtesy of us hard working tax payers! Try paying over $600 a month or more for insurance plus having high copays and deductibles, then you can complain!
Lack of jobs, drugs, alcohol and laziness... Love how everyone first blames the doctors and the hospital. I work for a clinic and unfortunately every day we are told no by insurance companies for simple testing, which makes us have to order test after test to prove you need the one we wanted to order in the first place. its sad how many people call for narcotics, marijuana, or free over the phone diagnosis all week. If people spent the money they spend on drugs and junk food they could afford to go to the doctor and buy the meds or treatments they need. We hear daily we don't want a test or med because of cost, but then blame us in a year when you are about to die.. Its always the doctors fault, right? Couldn't be the lack of responsibility of your own health, could it! We also have to remember doctors are not gods. They are human and make mistakes to. If you find a doctor that is perfect and never made a mistake with a patient, out of town somewhere, then please share the name. Would love to meet this superman or woman!
DCIPA and the general attitude of the business of medicine geared completely to the ever greater generation of profit. In 56 years, 17 states, etc, this 'health care system' is the very worst I've ever seen.
I've seen a few mean comments about Mercy and a year ago I would have whole heartedly agreed, on Feb 18th I was taken in by ambulance with the flu, septic shock and multiple organ failure with a Dr. that basically said they didn't know if I would make it...... thanks to the doctors and the amazing nurses, 2 weeks in ICU ad PCU I'm still here, I would recommend Mercy to anyone especially the nurses, they really care about what you're going thru and keeping you completely informed about your treatment.
Meth and lack of jobs!
greedy doctors and health care facilitys
Random chance, now take your cymbalta and be happy!!
High cancer rate, poor medical care, high alcohol use, drugs, many people on welfare.
Unemployment driving middle class into poverty, laziness, drug abuse, lack of quality physicians and adequate medical care, lack of motivation and morale, depression from the above, food stamp dependant people not being educated on how to spend their benefits and get the most for "our" dollar as wepl as not being educated enough to know about nutrition and how to prepare healthy meals on a budget, you can exercise ANYWHERE....you DO NOT need an indoor facility to get in shape or stay healthy....get out and walk or invest in a cheap exercise dvd and do it inside, walking is free, running is free, stop making excuses for why you can' get healthy and find reasons why you can, make it happen....can't rely on others to do everything for you....no more PE in schools, no more health classes for elementary aged kids, it's a chain reaction....but it can be changed....you have to want it....
b.o. Care isn't going to improve the situation. this is now the "new norm"...
Healthy organic food is almost impossible to find in Roseburg. What little there is is almost too expensive to be worth it. We literally pay 3x as much for an organic orange than we do for a Monsanto orange. So sad that health has to be so expensive :(
Low incomes, high unemployment and excessive medical care costs. There is no competition with only one hospital, and Mercy Medical Center doesn't care about anything but the bottom line.
Preventative care is not as profitable for the insurance companies... They would rather force people to need emergency care so they can gain a higher profit margin... It's disgusting and appalling!!!
Drs who got their medical license from a cracker jacks box!!! That's what the problem is! Many don't want to take the time to help people but rather treat them as commodities... Either because they are forced to by the health insurance industry that can sue them if they do take a course of action that hurts their shareholders or because they themselves are more concerned about the almighty dollar than human life and well being!
The insurance companies tell our health practioners what they can and can't do. We pay thousands of dollars per year to have coverage and when we go to the dr. Ins. Ties their hands and says we won't cover that. Therefore you go have still sick, without meds, and a whopping bill for nothing but words. Some one needs to do a better job governing the ins. Co.
Mercy has almost killed me & 4 of my friends they have done damage beyond repair in some cases, they dont listen & assume alot of things that arent even an issue. I also go elsewhere for care whenever possible! I hope they get a clue someday!!!
There are drug users and over weight people every where. But the reason Douglas county ranks at the bottom is due to Physician care and Mercy.
I believe it's the fast-food, frozen dinner, seditary lifestyle that's become so common.
I think that it is most people lack health coverage; large poverty population; lack of jobs; Douglas County is 5000 square miles big & most people lack the resources to travel anywhere to access services; there is absolutely nothing to do in this County to motivate people & generate joy & happiness therefore people become stalemate & depressed which deteriorates people's health
I am not shocked by where Douglas County rates on this list.Health Care really sucks around here. We see more Nurses trying to be doctors.Douglas County lacks the funds becouse we are buying new police cars....And HEALTH CARE HERE JUST PLAIN DOESNT EXISTS.
BUT THAT IS JUST MY OPINION..
Most everything already posted is the problem. The healthcare providers here give you the runaround, I just had 2 blood tests and now a third to test for something that I KNOW could've been tested with the 2nd. But by doing that would cut out an office visit and more revenue for the dr. office. I think alot of folks are sick of this type of treatment and just don't go see a dr. when needed. Obviously choice of lifestyle is the ultimate factor, but these doctors need to do alot better with their practices as well.
And the politics. It's not about the patient anymore
I think it is the unemployment rate and also the availability of doctors.
Mercy!
Having only one hospital is not good. Drugs, lazy, too many on assistance and not working.
poor county lots unemployed and crap food is cheap :(
meth, heroin, and pills.....
lazy people..
People buying nothing but JUNK with their Oregon Trail card instead of healthy foods!!! Diet is a HUGE factor in overall health....
Mercy sucks end of story !!!!!!!
Taco Bell
Healthcare provider quality for sure and the alcohol and dope issues don't help!!!!
Sarah Pitner is right about lack of access to places where people can exercise indoors. Economics has much to do with health, or lack thereof. And no, not so much to do with that second or third cheeseburger which may or may not be being eaten. People in this county are under duress and stress, due to economic circumstances in this county. An estimated 27 % of the population is smoking, also a sign of stress.Does the report take into consideration the average age and mental capacity of our "dumping ground" for retirees and mentally/physically challenged people who, by the very nature of their infirmnities, would worsen the statistics? I don't have a working television and can't access KPIC from my Blackberry, so this is a question I truly want an answer to. All things considered, we need to take into consideration what I have just mentioned before saying people eat too much or eat the wrong thing.
I posted earlier about having a problem last year and getting the runaround from the medical people and have since read about how lazy and fat everyone is. I am 68yrs old. Still cut my own firewood, do my own yardwork and any other work that needs done. Walk everyday and am not 1 pound overweight. Don't drink or do anything else to alter my mind. I can say that not all the people here are unhealthy because of bad habits. The medical system here needs fixed too.
Mercy has a lot to do with it I believe that the doctors in the community have a lot to do with it but I have to believe there's a lot of drugs in the community that make people's health twice is bad than what it should be.
Douglas County has a lot of problems, there is nothing positive to draw great doctors to the area, there are not enough people being forced to give up the drugs, and there are many people who are obese... because there is nothing for them to do to lose the weight that is fun and inexpensive.