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Who is living and dying and Massachusetts' plan for our kids
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People in Massachusetts are living longer than ever. The Mass Department of Public Health put out their findings for 2007.
What has declined? The death rates for
- heart disease
- stroke
- cancer
- lower respiratory diseases
- breast cancer death rate is the lowest ever recorded
Who isn't doing well
The death rate for black Massachusetts residents for diabetes and prostate cancer was more than two times that of white residents in 2007. For some of the top causes of death, black and Hispanic people from Massachusetts die at earlier ages than white people.
What diseases still need work
- Death rates from diabetes have declined over the years but diabetes-related illnesses still accounted for nearly 4,000 deaths in Massachusetts in 2007.
- Overweight and obesity are leading risk factors for diabetes, and in Massachusetts more than half of all adults and one-third of high school and middle school students are either overweight or obese.
The plan
- In January Deval Patrick, MA's Governor and his administration, started what they call Mass In Motion. Some may not like the government's's interference but I am all for it.
- Schools will be required to perform on a regular basis Body Mass Index (BMI) screenings. Information for parents will be given as well. I do hope they take it a step farther and require this of teachers and parents - the role models! This will start over the next 1 1/2 years with school nurses and others being trained.
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