The Colorado Health Foundation released the Where Health Happens Data Spotlight, which builds on the Colorado Health Symposium theme, “Health is Everyone’s Business.” It features stories from three Colorado communities and highlights five everyday needs that have a profound impact on health.
- Education and child care: Education and health are connected. The Colorado Preschool Program can aid up to 28,360 kids who are at risk for starting elementary school unprepared, yet only one in four 4-year-olds are estimated to be served.
- Financial security and safety: As the income gap widens, health disparities increase. Between 2009 and 2015, nearly one in four low-income Coloradans rated their health as fair or poor. Residents of neighborhoods plagued by crime and violence also face higher health risks.
- Food access: Access to fresh food is a must for good health and many residents aren’t getting enough—one in seven Coloradans, including one in five children, struggle with food insecurity.
- Housing: Adequate housing creates a sense of well-being and security, but many Coloradans struggle to afford it. One of two renters and one of three homeowners in the state spend more than 30 percent of income on housing, leaving less money for other important life expenses.
- Transportation: How we get around – whether that’s driving, biking, walking or taking public transit – impacts our health. In Colorado, nine of 10 commuters drive to work, slightly higher than the national average. This number hasn’t changed since 2009.
Read the full “Where Health Happens Data Spotlight” to learn more about disparities and opportunities for improvement across the state: