Health Indicator Definitions

The health indicators for each category are listed below. Click on the indicator name to view a map on how the indicator is represented across the state.

Demographics

Indicator	Description
Number of Asian (alone) Residents	Number of the population that identify as Asian (Non Hispanic)
Number of American Indian and Alaska Native (alone) Residents	Number of the population that identify as American Indian and Alaska Native (Non Hispanic)
Number of African-American Residents	Number of the population that identify as African-American, non-Hispanic.
Number of White Residents	Number of the population that identify as white non-Hispanic
Number of Hispanic/Latino Residents	Number of the population that identify as Hispanic or Latino
Total Adult Population	Total Adult Population
Total Population	Total Population
Percent of Asian (alone) Residents	Percent of the population that identify as Asian (Non Hispanic)
Percent of People that were Foreign-born	Percent of people that are foreign-born
Percent of People that were born in US	Percent of people that are native-born
Percent of American Indian and Alaska Native (alone) Residents	Percent of the population that identify as American Indian and Alaska Native (Non Hispanic)
Percent of African-American Residents	Percent of the population that identify as African-American, non-Hispanic
Percent of White Residents	Percent of the population that identify as white non-Hispanic.
Percent of Hispanic/Latino Residents	Percent of the population that identify as Hispanic or Latino
Percent of Young Residents	Percent of Population 18 and Younger
Percent of Elderly Residents	Percent of Population 65 and Older
Percent of Households with Children	Percent of households with children
Percent of Spanish-Speaking Households that don’t speak English	Percent of spanish-speaking households that are linguistically isolated
Percent of Households that speak another language other than English	Percent of households speaking language other than english in the home
Percent of Households that do not speak English	Percent of households that are linguistically isolated
Percent of Households with no Children	Percent of households without children
Population Density Rate	Number of persons per square mile. Population density affects accessibility to healthcare, the availability of re-sources, and the adequacy of social support.

Social Environment

Indicator	Description
Housing Hardship	Percent of households in a county that pay 30 percent or more of their household income on housing costs.
Food Stamp (SNAP) Applications Approved	Number of Food Stamp Applications Approved
Food Stamp (SNAP) Applications Declined	Number of Food Stamp Applications Declined
Count of Food Stamp (SNAP) Cases	Count of Food Stamp Cases
Violent Crime	The number of reported violent crimes per 1,000 residents. Violent crime, which includes murder and non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault, reflects public safety and quality of life.
Median Cost of Rent	Median cost of rent
Median Cost of Rent as Percentage of Income	Median cost of rent as a percentage of household income
Median Household Income	Median Household Income
Childcare Capacity of Licensed Facilities	Childcare Total Capacity of Licensed Facilities
Number of Persons in Food Stamps (SNAP) Program	Number of Persons Based on Household Size, which could include household members not eligible for participation in the Food Stamp program
Number of True Child Abuse Reports	Number of Child Abuse Reports Determined True; Child abuse rates are another reflection of quality of life.
Number of Unsubstantiated Child Abuse Reports	Number of Child Abuse Reports Determined Unsubstantiated
Total Children in Foster Care	Total Children in Foster Care
Population Under Poverty	Number of Population Under Poverty Line
Population with a College Degree or Higher	Population Age 25 and Older With a College Degree or Higher. Higher levels of education completion are associated with better health out-comes.
Child Poverty Population	Number of Population 18 and Younger Below Poverty Line
Percent with Child Poverty	The percent of persons under age 18 living below the federal poverty line. Child poverty rates help us understand the quality of life enjoyed by Arkansas’ children, and give insight into the future health of the state.
Percent with a College Degree or Higher	Percent of the Population Age 25 and Older with a College Degree or Higher. Higher levels of education completion are associated with better health out-comes.
Percent of Grandparents who are primary caregivers	Percent of grandparents who are the primary caregivers for their grandchildren
Percent of Elderly Living in Poverty	Percent of population 65 and older living below poverty line; Poverty among the elderly gives insight to the quality of life enjoyed by older residents.
Percent of Population Under Poverty	Percent of Population Under Poverty Line
Percent of People with some College education	Percent of people age 25 and older with at least some college education
Percent of People with some High School education	Percent of people age 25 and older with 9th-12th grade education, but no high school diploma or equivalency
Percent of People with Less than 9th grade education	Percent of people age 25 and older with less than 9th grade education
Percent of People with High School Diploma	Percent of people age 25 and older with high school diploma or equivalent
Percent of True Child Abuse Reports	Reports of child abuse determined to be true per 1,000 children. Child abuse rates are another reflection of quality of life. The rate of true re-ports of child abuse tends to be higher in the northern and rural areas of the state.
Percent of Households with Single Parent	Percent of family households with children, with only 1 caregiver present (single parent family)
Unemployment Annual Average	Unemployment Annual Average; Annual average unemployment rate. Unemployment is linked to poverty and lack of insurance, and is associated with poorer health outcomes.
Average Wages	Average Wages; Per capita personal income. Persons with greater income tend to have better health outcomes.

Access to Health Care

Indicator	Description
Number of Adults with No Personal Doctor	Number of Adults (18 and Older) with No Personal Doctor. People without personal doctors are less likely to receive preventive care.
Number of Adults with No Health Insurance	Number of Adults (18 and older) with No Health Insurance. People without health insurance are less likely to receive preventive care and are more likely to have poor health outcomes.
Number of Hospital Beds	An adequate number of available hospital beds ensure that residents receive adequate care in the case of a health crisis.
Number of Nursing Home Beds	Number of beds in certified Medicare provider nursing facilities per 1,000 residents age 65+. An adequate number of nursing home beds ensures that elderly residents have access to intensive nursing care, should they need it.
Number of Dentists	Number of Dentist per 10,000 residents.
Number of Physicians	Primary Care Physicians per 10,000 population.
Medicaid Eligible	Number of persons eligible for Medicaid (higher rates of persons eligible for Medicaid are represented with darker colors and do not represent a more or less favorable status)
Total Number of Hospitals	Total Number of Hospitals. Most residents of the state have access to one or more hospitals, but there are still a few pockets of rural counties where none exist.
Elderly persons with Medicare	Hospital Insurance and or/supplemental medical insurance (Medicare)-aged persons enrolled
Percent of Adults with No Personal Doctor	Percent of Adults (18 and Older) with No Personal Doctor. People without personal doctors are less likely to receive preventive care.
Percent of Adults with No Health Insurance	Percent of Adults (18 and Older) with No Health Insurance. People without health insurance are less likely to receive preventive care and are more likely to have poor health outcomes.
Medicaid Percent Eligible	Percent of persons eligible for Medicaid (higher rates of persons eligible for Medicaid are represented with darker colors and do not represent a more or less favorable status)
Percent Uninsured Ages 0-19	Percent of Arkansans under age 20 without health insurance
Percent Uninsured Ages 0-64	Percent of Arkansans under age 65 without health insurance
Percent Uninsured Ages 18-64	Percent of Arkansans age 18-64 without health insurance
Percent Uninsured Ages 40-64	Percent of Arkansans age 40-64 without health insurance

Preventive Care and Screenings

Indicator	Description
Children with Age Appropriate Vaccinations	Children Age 2-3 with Age Appropriate Vaccinations
Number of Adults Meeting Moderate Physical Activity Recommendation	Number of Arkansas Adults (Age 18+) Meeting Moderate Physical Activity Recommendation
Number of Adults Meeting Vigorous Physical Activity Recommendation	Number of Arkansas Adults (Age 18+) Meeting Vigorous Physical Activity Recommendation
Number of Adults That Meet Physical Activity Recommendation	Number of Adults (18 and Older) That Meet Physical Activity Recommendation - 30 or more minutes of moderate physical activity 5 or more days per week or vigorous physical activity for 20 or more minutes 3 or more days per week
Percent of Women with Early Prenatal Care	Mothers receiving early prenatal care as a percentage of all live births. Mothers who receive early prenatal care are more likely to have full-term, healthy babies.
Percent of Adults Meeting Moderate Physical Activity Recommendation	Percent of Arkansas Adults (Age 18+) Meeting Moderate Physical Activity Recommendation
Percent of Adults Meeting Vigorous Physical Activity Recommendation	Percent of Arkansas Adults (Age 18+) Meeting Vigorous Physical Activity Recommendation
Percent of Adults That Meet Physical Activity Recommendation	Percent of Adults (18 and Older) That Meet Physical Activity Recommendation - 30 or more minutes of moderate physical activity 5 or more days per week or vigorous physical activity for 20 or more minutes 3 or more days per week
Percent of Adults with No HIV Test	Percent of Adults (18 through 64) Reporting No HIV Test. Many people who are HIV-positive do not know it, putting their own health and that of their loved ones’ at risk.
Percent of Elderly with No Flu Shot	Percent of Adults (65 and Older) Reporting No Flu Shot in Past Year. Influenza vaccinations are especially important for the elderly and the very young, since these groups typically have higher influenza mortality rates.
Percent of Elderly with No Pneumonia Shot	Percent of Adults (65 and Older) Reporting No Pneumonia Shot
Percent of Males Never Having Colorectal Exams	Percent of Adult Males (50 and Older) Reporting Never Having Sigmoidoscopy or Colonoscopy. Colon cancer a silent killer, making early detection key.
Percent of Males with No Recent Prostate Cancer Screening (PSA)	Percent of Adult Males (40 and Older) Reporting No PSA Test in 2 Years. The prostate-specific antigen test is a non-invasive prostate cancer screening that is recommended for men over the age of 40.
Percent of Women with No Recent Mammogram	Percent of Adult Women (40 and Older) Reporting No Mammogram in Past 2 Years. Mammograms help save lives by detecting breast cancer early, and the American Cancer Society recommends that women over the age of 40 be regularly screened.
Percent of Women with No Recent Pap Test	Percent of Adult Women (18 and Older) Reporting No Pap Test in the Past 3 Years. Pap smears help detect cervical cancer and sexually transmitted diseases, and are recommended for women over the age of 18.

Behavioral Risks

Indicator	Description
Average Age of First Alcoholic Drink, 12th grade	The average age of first alcohol among 12th graders who reported alcohol use.
Average Age of First Alcoholic Drink, 6th grade	The average age of first alcohol among 6th graders who reported alcohol use.
Average Age of First Cigarette, 12th grade	The average age of first cigarette among 12th graders who reported cigarette use.
Average Age of First Cigarette, 6th grade	The average age of first cigarette among 6th graders who reported cigarette use.
Average Age of First Regular Alcohol Use, 12th grade	The average age of first regular alcohol among 12th graders who reported alcohol use.
Average Age of First Regular Alcohol Use, 6th grade	The average age of first regular alcohol among 6th graders who reported alcohol use.
Binge Drinking, 12th Grade	Percent of 12th grade students reporting binge drinking.
Binge Drinking, 6th Grade	Percent of 6th grade students reporting binge drinking.
Lifetime Use of Alcohol by 12th Grade	Percent of 12th grade students reporting every having regularly used alcohol
Any Cigarette Use in the Past 30 days, by 12th grade	Percent of 12th grade students reporting past 30 day use of cigarettes.
Lifetime Use of Cigarettes by 12th Grade	Percent of 12th grade students reporting every having regularly smoked cigarettes
Any Chewing Tobacco Use in the Past 30 days, by 12th grade	Percent of 12th grade students reporting past 30 day use of chewing tobacco.
Lifetime Use of Chewing Tobacco by 12th Grade	Percent of 12th grade students reporting every having regularly used chewing tobacco
Any Drug Use in the Past 30 days, by 12th grade	Percent of 12th grade students reporting past 30 day use of any drug.
Lifetime Use of Any Drug by 12th Grade	Percent of 12th grade students reporting every having regularly used drugs
Any Alcohol Use in the Past 30 days, by 12th grade	Percent of 12th grade students reporting past 30 day use of alcohol.
Lifetime Use of Alcohol by 6th Grade	Percent of 6th grade students reporting every having regularly used alcohol
Any Cigarette Use in the Past 30 days, by 6th grade	Percent of 6th grade students reporting past 30 day use of cigarettes.
Lifetime Use of Cigarettes by 6th Grade	Percent of 6th grade students reporting every having regularly smoked cigarettes
Any Chewing Tobacco Use in the Past 30 days, by 6th grade	Percent of 6th grade students reporting past 30 day use of chewing tobacco.
Lifetime Use of Chewing Tobacco by 6th Grade	Percent of 6th grade students reporting every having regularly used chewing tobacco
Any Drug Use in the Past 30 days, by 6th grade	Percent of 6th grade students reporting past 30 day use of any drug.
Lifetime Use of Any Drug by 6th Grade	Percent of 6th grade students reporting every having regularly used drugs
Any Alcohol Use in the Past 30 days, by 6th grade	Percent of 6th grade students reporting past 30 day use of alcohol.
Number of Adult Smokers	Number of Adults (18 and Older) Reporting Being Smokers. Smoking is related to cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory diseases, and many other negative health outcomes.
Number of Adults Consuming Few Fruits and Vegetables	Number of Adults (18 and Older) Consuming Less than 5 Fruits or Vegetables a Day. “Five a day” is a standard recommendation for minimum fruit and vegetable in-take. People who do not meet this recommendation increase their risk of chronic disease, obesity, and cancer.
Number of Adults Reporting Binge Drinking	Number of Adults (18 and Older) Reporting Binge Drinking. Binge-drinking has both short-term and long-term harmful effects. It raises the risk of alcohol-related injury, cancer, liver diseases, brain damage, and mental illness.
Number of Adults Reporting No Exercise	Number of Adults (18 and Older) Reporting No Exercise in the Past 30 Days. Regular physical activity is important to maintain a healthy weight and avoid chronic disease.
Percent of Adult Smokers	Percent of Adults (18 and Older) Reporting Being Smokers. Smoking is related to cancer, cardiovascular disease, respiratory diseases, and many other negative health outcomes.
Percent of Adults Consuming Few Fruits and Vegetables	Percent of Adults (18 and Older) Consuming Less than 5 Fruits or Vegetables a Day. “Five a day” is a standard recommendation for minimum fruit and vegetable in-take. People who do not meet this recommendation increase their risk of chronic disease, obesity, and cancer.
Percent of Adults Reporting Binge Drinking	Percent of Adults (18 and Older) Reporting Binge Drinking. Binge-drinking has both short-term and long-term harmful effects. It raises the risk of alcohol-related injury, cancer, liver diseases, brain damage, and mental illness.
Percent of Adults Reporting No Exercise	Percent of Adults (18 and Older) Reporting No Exercise in the Past 30 Days. Regular physical activity is important to maintain a healthy weight and avoid chronic disease.

Health Outcomes and Mortality

Indicator	Description
Low Birth Weight	Percent of low birth weight infants as a percent of live births. Low birth weight is less than 2500 grams (5 1/2 pounds)
Traffic Fatalities Related To Drugs or Alcohol	Traffic Fatalities Which Were Related To Drugs or Alcohol
Preventable Hospitalizations	Preventable hospital stays are measured as the hospital discharge rate for ambulatory care-sensitive conditions per 1,000 Medicare enrollees.
Prostate Cancer Incidence	Prostate Cancer Incidence Age-adjusted rate per 100,000 men
Breast Cancer Incidence	Breast Cancer Incidence Age-adjusted rate per 100,000 women
Colon and Rectum Cancer Incidence	Colon and Rectum Cancer Incidence Age-adjusted rate per 100,000 persons
Lung and Bronchus Cancer Incidence	Lung and Bronchus Cancer Incidence Age-adjusted rate per 100,000 persons
Life Expectancy	The average life time (in years) from birth for both sexes.
Infant Deaths	Infant Deaths For Cause of Death = "All Causes. (ICD10 Codes A00-Y99)". The Infant Mortality Rate is the number of deaths of infants under one year of age per 1,000 live births. This measure is perhaps the most important and widely used indicator of mortality among infants. Not only is the infant mortality rate a measure of deaths of infants, it is also an excellent gauge for the overall health of a community, as it is associated with a wide range of social and economic factors. The infant mortality rate is calculated by dividing the number of deaths to infants under the age of 365 days occurring in a year by the number of births occurring in that same year, and multiplying by 1,000. For example, there were 307 infant deaths and 36,982 live births in Arkansas in 2001. The Infant Mortality Rate = (307 / 36,982) X 1,000 = 8.3 infant deaths per 1,000 live births.
Premature Death	Premature Death Years of Potential Life Lost Under Age 75
Number of Adults with Arthritis	Number of Adults (18 and Older) Reporting Having Doctor Diagnosed Arthritis
Number of Adults with Asthma	Number of Arkansas Adult (Age 18+) Reporting Being Doctor Diagnosed with Asthma
Number of Adults with Diabetes	Number of Adults (18 and Older) Reporting Having Doctor Diagnosed Diabetes
Number of Adults with High Blood Cholesterol	Number of Adults (18 and Older) Reporting Having Doctor Diagnosed High Blood Cholesterol
Number of Adults with Coronary Heart Disease	Number of Adults (18 and Older) Reporting Having Doctor Diagnosed Coronary Heart Disease
Number of Adults with Hypertension	Number of Adults (18 and Older) Reporting Having Doctor Diagnosed Hypertension
Number of Adults Reporting Being Overweight	Number of Arkansas Adults (Age 18+) Reporting Being Overweight (BMI >=25.0 - 30.0)
Number of Adults Reporting Being Obese	Number of Arkansas Adults (Age 18+) Reporting Being Obese (BMI >= 30.0)
Number of Adults Reporting Poor Physical Health	Number of Adults (18 and Older) Reporting Being Physically Unhealthy in Past 30 Days
Number of Adults Reporting Poor Mental Health	Number of Adults (18 and Older) Reporting Mental Health Not Good for 14 or More Days
Number of Adults Reporting Poor Mental or Physical Health	Number of Adults (18 and Older) Reporting Poor Physical or Mental Days on 14 or More of the Past 30 Days
Number of Adults Reporting being Overweight or Obese	Number of Adults (18 and Older) Overweight or Obese. Reported having a BMI (Body Mass Index) >= 25.0
Preterm Births	Preterm Births as a percentage of live births. Preterm is less than 37 completed weeks of gestation.
Percent of Adults with High Blood Cholesterol	Percent of Adults (18 and Older) Reporting Having Doctor Diagnosed High Blood Cholesterol
Percent of Adults with Arthritis	Percent of Adults (18 and Older) Reporting Having Doctor Diagnosed Arthritis
Percent of Adults with Asthma	Percent of Arkansas Adult (Age 18+) Reporting Being Doctor Diagnosed with Asthma
Percent of Adults with Diabetes	Percent of Adults (18 and Older) Reporting Having Doctor Diagnosed Diabetes
Percent of Adults with Coronary Heart Disease	Percent of Adults (18 and older) Reporting Having Doctor Diagnosed Coronary Heart Disease
Percent of Adults with Hypertension	Percent of Adults (18 and Older) Reporting Having Doctor Diagnosed Hypertension
Percent of Adults Reporting Being Overweight	Percent of Arkansas Adults (Age 18+) Reporting Being Overweight (BMI >=25.0 - 30.0)
Percent of Adults Reporting Being Obese	Percent of Arkansas Adults (Age 18+) Reporting Being Obese (BMI >= 30.0)
Percent of Adults Reporting Poor Physical Health	Percent of Adults (18 and Older) Reporting Being Physically Unhealthy in Past 30 Day
Percent of Adults Reporting Poor Mental Health	Percent of Adults (18 and Older) Reporting Mental Health Not Good for 14 or More Days
Percent of Adults Reporting Poor Mental or Physical Health	Percent of Adults (18 and Older) Reporting Poor Physical or Mental Days on 14 or More of the Past 30 Days
Percent of Adults Reporting being Overweight or Obese	Percent of Adults (18 and Older) Overweight or Obese. Reported having a BMI (Body Mass Index) >= 25.0
Percentage of Underweight Students	Percentage of Students Assessed by Arkansas Public School District that are underweight according to BMI assessments
Percentage of Students Underweight or a Healthy Weight	Percentage of Students Assessed by Arkansas Public School District that are underweight or a healthy weight according to BMI assessments
Percentage of Healthy Weight Students	Percentage of Students Assessed by Arkansas Public School District that are a healthy weight according to BMI assessments
Percentage of Overweight Students	Percentage of Students Assessed by Arkansas Public School District that are overweight according to BMI assessments
Percentage of Students Overweight or Obese	Percentage of Students Assessed by Arkansas Public School District that are overweight or obese according to BMI assessments
Percentage of Obese Students	Percentage of Students Assessed by Arkansas Public School District that are obese according to BMI assessments
Overall Mortality All Causes (Crude Rate)	Overall Mortality All Causes (Crude Rate); For ICD10 Cause of Death Code(s) = "All Causes" Crude Rate
Homicide Rate (Crude Rate)	Homicide Rate (Crude Rate) For ICD10 Cause of Death Code(s) = "Assault (homicide) (X85–Y09,Y87.1)"
Accident Deaths (Crude Rate)	Accident Deaths (Crude Rate); For ICD10 Cause of Death Code(s) = "Accidents (unintentional injuries) (V01-X59,Y85-Y86)" Crude Rate
Cancer Deaths (Crude Rate)	Cancer Deaths Crude Rate; For ICD10 Cause of Death Code(s) = "Malignant neoplasms (C00-C97)" Crude Rate
Breast Cancer Deaths (Crude Rate)	Breast Cancer Deaths (Crude Rate) ; For ICD10 Cause of Death Code(s) = "Malignant neoplasms of the breast (C50 Subset of Cause 019)" Crude Rate
Lung Cancer Deaths (Crude Rate)	Lung Cancer Deaths (Crude Rate); For ICD10 Cause of Death Code(s) = "Malignant neoplasms of trachea, bronchus and lung (C33–C34)" Crude Rate
Diabetes Deaths (Crude Rate)	Diabetes Deaths (Crude Rate); For ICD10 Cause of Death Code(s) = "Diabetes mellitus (E10-E14)" Crude Rate
Cardiovascular Disease Deaths (Crude Rate)	Cardiovascular Deaths (Crude Rate); For ICD10 Cause of Death Code(s) = "Major cardiovascular diseases (I00–I78)" Crude Rate
Homicide Rate (Age Adjusted Rate)	Homicide Rate (Age Adjusted Rate) For ICD10 Cause of Death Code(s) = "Assault (homicide) (X85–Y09,Y87.1)"
Accident Deaths (Age Adjusted Rate)	Accident Deaths (Age Adjusted Rate); For ICD10 Cause of Death Code(s) = "Accidents (unintentional injuries) (V01-X59,Y85-Y86)" Age-Adjusted Rate
Cancer Deaths (Age Adjusted Rate)	Cancer Deaths (Age Adjusted Rate); For ICD10 Cause of Death Code(s) = "Malignant neoplasms (C00-C97)" Age-Adjusted Rate
Breast Cancer Deaths (Age Adjusted Rate)	Breast Cancer Deaths (Age Adjusted Rate); For ICD10 Cause of Death Code(s) ="Malignant neoplasms of the breast (C50 Subset of Cause 019)" Age-Adjusted Rate
Lung Cancer Deaths (Age Adjusted Rate)	Lung Cancer Deaths (Age Adjusted Rate); For ICD10 Cause of Death Code(s) = "Malignant neoplasms of trachea, bronchus and lung (C33–C34)" Age-Adjusted Rate
Diabetes Deaths (Age Adjusted Rate)	Diabetes Deaths (Age Adjusted Rate); For ICD10 Cause of Death Code(s) ="Diabetes mellitus (E10-E14)" Age-Adjusted Rate
Cardiovascular Disease Deaths (Age Adjusted Rate)	Cardiovascular Disease Deaths (Age Adjusted Rate); For ICD10 Cause of Death Code(s) = "Major cardiovascular diseases (I00–I78)" Age-Adjusted Rate
Overall Mortality All Causes (Age Adjusted Rate)	Overall Mortality All Causes (Age Adjusted Rate); For ICD10 Cause of Death Code(s) ="All Causes" Age-Adjusted Rate
Birth Rate	Rate per 1,000 women 15-44 years. Birth rates presented are calculated using Census 2000-based population estimates.
Teen Suicide Rate	Teen Suicide Rate Ages 15-24

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