Our Focus

 
DHC has chosen to focus on areas identified in the 2005 Epidemiology Report.
 
The Epidemiological Report, a report on the health concerns of Northwest Indiana and an assessment of community health in Lake, LaPorte and Porter Counties, is a systematic, data-driven approach to determining the health status, behaviors and needs of residents in the region. The assessment provided the information needed to consider when developing effective interventions so that DHC could identify issues of greatest concern and decide to commit resources to those areas, thereby making the greatest possible impact on our community health status.
 
Learn more about our areas of concern:
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Overweight and Obesity

OverweightOverweight
More area residents are overweight than seen nationwide. Similarly, more area residents are at an unhealthy weight than average Americans.
 
Nutrition
Northwest Indiana residents are less likely to consume fruits and vegetables compared to their national counterparts.
 
Diabetes
Age-adjusted diabetes death rates in Northwest Indiana (specifically in Lake and Porter counties) for diabetes are much higher than national rates.
 
Heart Disease
The heart disease death rate in the three-county area is higher than the rate nationwide. Looking at the three counties individually, heart disease death rates are highest in Lake and LaPorte counties. In addition, Northwest Indiana residents report a higher prevalence of high blood pressure than seen nationwide.
 
 
Overweight/Obesity & Nutrition NW IN US HP2010 Significance vs. U.S. Significance vs. HP2010
Age-Adjusted Diabetes Mellitus Deaths/100,000 32.81 25.4 15.1 WORSE Does NOT Meet Goal
% Eat 5+ Servings of Fruit or Vegetables/Day 32.4 37.9   WORSE  
% Unhealthy Weight (BMI <18.5 or 25+) 68.2 63.3 40 WORSE Does NOT Meet Goal
% Overweight 66.3 62 WORSE
Age-Adjusted Heart Disease Deaths/100,000 257.3 240.8 213.7 WORSE Does NOT Meet Goal
% Obese 29 25.7 15 similar Does NOT Meet Goal
% Overweights Advised to Lose Weight 27.9 24.4 similar
% Received Advice on Nutrition in Past Year 34 30.4 similar
% Overweight Trying to Lose 32.1 35.4 similar
% Children (6-17) Overweight 22.2 24.4 similar
% Diabetes/High Blood Sugar 11 8.7 similar
% Chronic Heart Disease 8.6 7 similar
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Address

P.O. Box 9327
Michigan City, IN 46361

Phone

telephone  219-874-4193
faxsimile  219-873-2416