Introduction
Obesity prevalence in the United States has slowly been on the rise, especially in the more recent years. Although it is a chronic disease that it is very common, there a variety of health measures can be implemented to prevent and treat these growing numbers. Such strategies are easily accessible in New Jersey from places that promote healthier physical environments to local pharmacies and clinics. In addition to physical health, accessibility to grocery stores and public parks can support other methods of health care. The Madison Borough Health Department is responsible for local public health efforts.
Data
This data is drawn from the United States Centers for Disease Control (CDC) which conducts a routine national survey known as the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS). The CDC, In partnership with the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, released local level estimates on obesity statistics for 2020 and 2021.
Results
In Morris County, the estimated prevalence of obesity (%) was 24.8 with 95% CI (20.7,29.6) , and the age-adjusted prevalence (%) was 24.8 (20.7,29.6) in 2021. According to Census 2021 county population estimates, 510,981 people live in Morris. In the census tract with Madison High School, the estimated prevalence of obesity (%) was 25.0 with 95% CI (20.7,29.8) in 2021. This was the lowest prevalence in Madison. This is also lower than the County screening rate. According to Census 2010, there were 4,250 people that lived in this tract.
Conclusion
Understanding these locational types of obesity in a specific region like the town of Madison, NJ can help those with obesity know what they have access to and where they can access proper health care facilities. Moreover, it helps local and county health departments know regional numbers of obesity and see where targeted interventions can work to reduce gaps in public access and health issues.
These kinds of health measures are also valuable on an environmental scale, as we develop a better understanding of how our communities and natural surroundings are related to specific types of disease and poor health conditions.
About the Data
The CDC Places data sets, otherwise known as Place Level Analysis and Community Estimates. The latest estimates are for 2020 and 2021 for U.S. Census Tracts.
Other data sources visualized in the images here and on web maps are from the New Jersey Office of GIS (including County and Municipal Boundaries of New Jersey).
A webmap of the county level PLACES results can be found here:
A webmap of the census tract results for Madison can be found here:https://arcg.is/044TrT
