HEALTH & WELLNESS.
From healthcare providers to healthy behaviors and disease prevention to public health interventions, Truckee Meadows's health and wellness are multifaceted. The diversity of this topic is reflected by a wide variety of data about important issues such as access to care, chronic conditions, death and mortality, healthy behaviors, maternal and child health, and preventive care.
Focusing on health and wellness in a community can lead to reduced healthcare costs through preventive measures, improved productivity, and economic growth. A healthier population less impacted by disease and burdened by healthcare costs experiences a higher quality of life. On a larger scale, reducing health inequities can foster social connections and support the long-term sustainability and vitality of the community.
The graphics below were frozen at the time of publishing the Consumer Progress Report in November 2024. To learn more about each indicator and view more information with recent updates through 2026, simply click on the charts, map, or graph to be directed to the NevadaTomorrow.org Community Data Portal, where you will see maps, charts, graphs, year-over-year comparisons, and more.
VIEW OR PRINT THE FULL REPORT
The Truckee Meadows Tomorrow 2024-2026 Community Progress Report published on November 12, 2024! It includes all 10 Quality of Life areas with the most important data points selected by our Data Advisory Group and TMT team. You will find the same indicators and summaries in each online QOL area with links to NevadaTomorrow.org.
Print it out and take it with you for easy reading and reference.
DIGGING INTO THE DATA
The data used to assess Health & Wellness as a component of quality of life covers a range of health indicators, including disease prevalence, mortality rates, and healthcare access. It also considers factors like income, education, and housing that can impact health outcomes. On top of that, it includes behavioral data related to health habits, substance use, and mental health, as well as demographic breakdowns to highlight health disparities among different groups. Additionally, it looks at mortality rates for various causes and age groups and tracks trends over time.This data gives us a comprehensive look at health trends and outcomes in the region, showing both positive trends and areas that need attention and intervention. By analyzing this data, we can identify priorities, develop targeted interventions, and work toward improving community residents' overall quality of life and well-being.
DATA BITES
More than 150 health and wellness-related indicators are available on NevadaTomorrow.com. These indicators address various themes and are measured by various factors, including the trend over time in Washoe County.
Poor Physical Health: Average Number Of Days Per Month
Preventable Hospitalizations Per 100k Medicare Enrollees
Number Of Years A Person Can Expect To Live
Babies Born Weighing Less Than 5lbs, 8oz
Health Insurance Spending-To-Income Ratio
ACCESS TO CARE
Overall, the data suggests that Washoe County has relatively good healthcare access indicators, but there are areas for improvement, such as Medicaid enrollment and addressing affordability issues for some individuals. There are high rates of health insurance coverage for both adults and children, with recent slight improvements in coverage for children. A positive trend shows an increase in the percentage of persons with health insurance.
Community spending on healthcare has remained relatively stable; a low percentage of adults cannot afford healthcare, and many adults receive routine checkups. However, some populations face challenges with affordability. The Medicaid enrollment rate is lower than the state average, indicating a need for improvement. The Health Insurance Spending-to-Income Ratio has slightly increased, indicating potential strain on household budgets.
The availability of primary care services, including non-physician providers like nurse practitioners and dentists, has been improving, addressing the shortage of primary care physicians and enhancing healthcare accessibility in the region.
Adults with Health Insurance
Adults Unable to Afford to See a Doctor
Children with Health Insurance
Healthcare Providers by Type Per 100K People
Dentists
Non-physician primary care
Primary care
MATERNAL & CHILD HEALTH
Maternal and child health statistics show some encouraging trends, such as a decrease in the infant mortality rate from 6 to 4 per 1,000 live births, indicating improved infant health outcomes. The child mortality rate decreased from 55 to 47 per 100,000 population under 20, showing progress in child health. However, there was an increase in preterm births from 9% to 10%, and prenatal care in the first trimester decreased from 64% to 60%.
Percent of Women Receiving Prenatal Care
in the First Trimester
SENIOR HEALTH
Senior health indicators show a mix of trends. Some positive changes include increased rates of mammography screenings, flu vaccinations, and hyperlipidemia treatments. However, specific indicators have worsened, such as chronic kidney disease and cancer treatment rates, as well as the prevalence of seniors living alone. Data suggests stability in depression and heart failure treatment rates. Overall, the trends highlight a need for further analysis and targeted interventions to improve senior health outcomes in the region.
HEALTHY BEHAVIORS
In Washoe County, Nevada, nearly a quarter of adults were classified as obese, which is lower than the Healthy People 2030 target of 36%. However, the following year saw over two-thirds of adults being classified as overweight or obese. Obesity is linked to various health conditions such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, cancer, hypertension, stroke, liver and gallbladder disease, respiratory problems, and osteoarthritis.
Obesity Trends
DEATH AND MORTALITY
The data shows both positive and negative trends in death and mortality rates in Washoe County. The leading causes of death in the region include heart diseases, cancer, accidents, and chronic lower respiratory diseases. The death rates for these leading causes in Washoe County are higher than state and national averages. When comparing the death rates in Washoe County to Healthy People 2030 targets, rates for various conditions are often higher than the targets. This highlights the need for interventions and improvements to reduce mortality rates in these specific areas.
PREVENTIVE CARE
Preventive care is crucial for promoting overall health by identifying and preventing health problems before they occur. Analyzing screening rates for cervical cancer, colon cancer, mammograms, cholesterol, and PSA levels can provide insights into preventive care. This information can help identify areas needing increased awareness, access, and education for better health outcomes.
Mortality Rate For Common Cancer Types
2019 2020 2021 2022
CHRONIC CONDITIONS
The data shows positive trends in chronic health conditions, with lower incidence rates for various cancers and heart disease than national averages. There are also higher rates of diagnosed skin melanoma, suggesting increased awareness and early detection efforts. Additionally, stable or decreasing rates were observed for certain chronic conditions. The county has proactive medication adherence for high blood pressure and innovative strategies for chronic disease management. However, negative trends include increasing rates of asthma, diabetes, kidney disease, COPD, and certain cancers.
PUBLIC HEALTH
The public health situation in Washoe County has both positive and negative trends. Positive indicators include decreases in self-care difficulties, certain health conditions, and stable or decreasing rates of specific diseases. However, negative trends include higher rates of infectious diseases like chlamydia, gonorrhea, hepatitis C, syphilis, and HIV compared to state and national averages. There are also increasing rates of salmonellosis cases, and higher percentages of persons with disabilities and various difficulties compared to state and national averages.
ADOLESCENT/TEEN HEALTH
According to the data on teen and adolescent health in Washoe County, there are some positive trends, such as an increase in middle school students getting nine or more hours of sleep and high school students consuming vegetables. However, there are also concerning trends, including a decrease in the percentage of high school students getting eight or more hours of sleep, consuming fruit, and engaging in physical activity. Additionally, there has been an increase in the percentage of students skipping breakfast, drinking soda or pop, and being obese or overweight.
RESOURCES
NNPH: The 2022-2025 Washoe County Community Health Assessment (CHA) and Community Health Improvement Plan (CHIP) created by Northern Nevada Public Health work together to turn data-driven insights into community engagement to shape the future of public health in Washoe County.
Together, the CHA and CHIP form a dynamic framework for proactive health promotion and intervention, emphasizing the importance of collective action and sustainable solutions to enhance the well-being of individuals and families in Washoe County. nnph.org/resources/data-publications-and-reports.php
The Renown Health 2023 Community Health Needs Assessment provides a detailed analysis of health trends and challenges in Washoe County, covering a range of health indicators, such as mortality rates, disease prevalence, chronic conditions, preventive care, substance abuse, mental health, homelessness, poverty rates, education levels, and community well-being. The assessment aims to identify priority areas for intervention, promote health equity, guide strategic planning, and foster collaboration among stakeholders to improve the overall well-being of county residents.
