2018 Women’s Health Report Card
The Center for Women’s Health Research (CWHR) released our tenth edition of the North Carolina Women’s Health Report Card May 14, 2018. This document is a progress report on the health and health care needs of North Carolina’s 5+ million women. Research efforts that require the most attention are identified through the collection and analysis of data for the report card. Current areas of research targeted by the Center include prevention, cancers affecting women, chronic disease (including cardiovascular health, diabetes, and obesity), women’s mental health, and substance abuse. It is the only health report of its kind in North Carolina.
Previous editions have been released biennially and tracked the state’s female health statistics in two year increments. The 2018 edition presents data primarily from 2016. Previous editions of the report card are also available for comparison. While each section below has key observations from the report card’s advisory board, there is also a summary of key findings available. Readers will also note that Healthy People 2020 is often cited as a benchmark to determine how North Carolina is hitting targets set by a consortium of agencies.
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- Short Link to the NC Women’s Health Report Card: https://buff.ly/2rEGBs8
State Demographics
Observations
- The state’s female population is steadily growing and women are projected to outnumber men through 2020.
- Overall, the median age is increasing, particularly among Caucasian women, who have an average age of 43.1. Asian and Hispanic women in NC have an average age of 34.5 and 27 respectively, and represent the youngest segments of the population.
The following data represents that reported by NC women in 2016:
| Number of Women (all ages) | 5,214,589 | |
| Life Expectancy at Birth | 80.4 | |
| Age (Average all NC Women) | 39.8 | |
| Caucasian | 43.1 | |
| African American | 38 | |
| Asian | 34.5 | |
| Other | 24 | |
| Hispanic | 27 | |
| Age (% by Years of Age) | ||
| Under 18 | 21% | |
| 18 to 29 | 16% | |
| 30 to 44 | 19% | |
| 45 to 59 | 20% | |
| 60 and older | 23% | |
| Race & Ethnicity % | ||
| Caucasian | 63% | |
| African American | 22% | |
| Asian | 3% | |
| Other | 3% | |
| Hispanic | 9% | |
| % Veteran (18+) | 1.7% | |
Source: Carolina Demography analysis of American Community Survey Data (1-year samples from IPUMS-USA). Life expectancy at birth from NC SCHS. County projections from North Carolina Office of State Budget and Management (OSBM). Download 2008-2016 Data
Family Structure
Observations
- The number of married women has slowly decreased, and been replaced with higher numbers of women who report their marital status as single, widowed, divorced, or separated.
The following data represents that reported by NC women in 2016:
| Average family size | ||
| All Women | 2.72 | |
| Caucasian | 2.58 | |
| African American | 2.73 | |
| Asian | 3.33 | |
| American Indian/Alaska Native | 3.06 | |
| Other | 2.93 | |
| Hispanic | 3.68 | |
| % with own children in home (regardless of child age) | ||
| All Women | 37% | |
| Caucasian | 34% | |
| African | 41% | |
| Asian | 49% | |
| American Indian/Alaska Native | 42% | |
| Other | 32% | |
| Hispanic | 56% | |
| Among those with children in the home: | ||
| Number of children (average) | ||
| All Women | 1.74 | |
| Caucasian | 1.68 | |
| African American | 1.68 | |
| Asian | 1.69 | |
| American Indian/Alaska Native | 1.81 | |
| Other | 1.87 | |
| Hispanic | 2.14 | |
| Number of children <5 (average) | ||
| All Women | 0.33 | |
| Caucasian (non-Hispanic) | 0.33 | |
| African American (non-Hispanic) | 0.27 | |
| Asian (non-Hispanic) | 0.34 | |
| American Indian/Alaska Native | 0.39 | |
| Other (non-Hispanic) | 0.47 | |
| Hispanic | 0.46 | |
| % giving birth in past year (ages 15-50) | ||
| All Women | 5% | |
| Caucasian (non-Hispanic) | 5% | |
| African American (non-Hispanic) | 5% | |
| Asian (non-Hispanic) | 5% | |
| American Indian/Alaska Native | 4% | |
| Other (non-Hispanic) | 6% | |
| Hispanic | 6% | |
| Marital Status (15+) | ||
| Married | 47% | |
| Divorced/Separated | 15% | |
| Widowed | 9% | |
| Never Married/Single | 29% | |
Source: Carolina Demography analysis of American Community Survey Data (1-year samples from IPUMS-USA). Download 2008-2016 Data
Resources
Household Structure
The following data represents that reported by NC women in 2016:
| Among women 18+ | ||
| % Living in Group Quarters (all types) | 2% | |
| % Living in Households | 98% | |
| If living in Households | ||
| % Living in Single-Female Headed Household | ||
| All NC Women | 19% | |
| All NC female children (age 0-17) | 24% | |
| All NC women age 18+ | 18% | |
| Share of ALL NC households that are Single-female households | 13% | |
| % of 65+ living alone | 33.8% | |
| Caucasian | 34% | |
| African American | 35% | |
| Asian | 14% | |
| American Indian/Alaska Native | 39% | |
| Hispanic | 20% | |
| % 18+ Living in HH receiving food stamps | 15.9% | |
| Caucasian | 10% | |
| African American | 31% | |
| Asian | 10% | |
| American Indian/Alaska Native | 29% | |
| Hispanic | 20% | |
| Homelessness (2015) | ||
| Total Number of Homeless Women | 4,183 | |
| with adults and children | 2,201 | |
| w/o any children | 1,940 | |
| child-only homeless | 42 | |
| % of NC Female Population | 0.08% | |
Source: Homelessness counts from NC Coalition to End Homelessness Point-in-Time County Data for 2015 (retrieved from www.ncceh.org/pitdata). All other data from Carolina Demography analysis of American Community Survey Data (1-year samples from IPUMS-USA). Download 2008-2016 Data
Health Access and Insurance Status
Observations
- Only three states (Texas, Alaska, and Nevada) have higher percentages of uninsured women than NC.
The following data represents that reported by NC women in 2016:
| % with ANY health insurance (18-64) | 87% | |
| Caucasian | 90% | |
| African American | 87% | |
| Asian | 88% | |
| American Indian/Alaska Native | 79% | |
| Hispanic | 59% | |
| % Women 18-64 with Private Health Insurance | 73% | |
| If receiving private health insurance | ||
| % with insurance from employer/union | 79% | |
| % who purchased insurance directly | 20% | |
| % with insurance through TRICARE | 6% | |
| % Women 18-64 with Public health insurance coverage | 17% | |
| If receiving public health insurance: | ||
| % with insurance through Medicaid | 78% | |
| % with insurance through Medicare | 30% | |
| % with insurance through VA | 7% | |
| % with insurance through Indian Health Services | 0.1% | |
| Note: Individuals can receive health insurance coverage from multiple sources | ||
Source: Carolina Demography analysis of American Community Survey Data (1-year samples from IPUMS-USA) and 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Download Data
Resources
Barriers to Care
Observations
- It is disheartening that 30% of NC women live in poverty with an additional 10% near poverty – a trend that has remained relatively constant over the past 10 years. Consistent with national data, NC women of color are more likely to live in poverty, particularly African American women, who have nearly twice the poverty rate (27%) of Caucasian women (15%). In contrast, Caucasian women are 1.5 times more likely to have experienced 3 or more adverse childhood experiences (28%) than African American women (18%). Although the nature of adversity may differ by race, these data underscore that about 1 in 4 women residing in North Carolina experience significant stress at some point in their life.
- Almost 1 in 5 women did not see a physician in the past 12 months due to cost. African American women were 1.5 times as likely to have not seen a doctor as Caucasian women. Despite this, African American women also report higher rates of medical debt than any other group.
The following data represents that reported by NC women in 2016:
| % in the labor force (among women 18-64) | 71% | |
| % unemployed (among women 18-64 and in the civilian labor force) | 6.4% | |
| Poverty Status among women 18+ | ||
| % In Poverty | 19% | |
| % Extreme Poverty (<50% FPL) | 11% | |
| % Near Poverty (100-150% FPL) | 10% | |
| % Poverty by Race/Ethnicity | ||
| Caucasian | 15% | |
| African American | 27% | |
| Asian | 16% | |
| American Indian/Alaska Native | 23% | |
| Hispanic | 30% | |
| Earned Income | ||
| % with any earned income (18+) | 60% | |
| Median earned income (if have earned income) | $25,800 | |
| % with earned income (18-64) | 72% | |
| Median earned income (18-64) (if have earnings) | $26,700 | |
| Any Disability (Ages 18+) | 17.5% | |
| Disability by Age (18+) | ||
| 18 to 29 | 6% | |
| 30 to 44 | 8% | |
| 45 to 59 | 16% | |
| 60 and older | 34% | |
| Disability by Race/Ethnicity (18+) | ||
| Caucasian | 18% | |
| African American | 20% | |
| Asian | 7% | |
| American Indian/Alaska Native | 22% | |
| Hispanic | 9% | |
| Speak English Less than “Very Well” (18+) | 5% | |
| Caucasian | 1% | |
| African American | 1% | |
| Asian | 36% | |
| American Indian/Alaska Native | 0% | |
| Hispanic | 45% | |
Source: Carolina Demography analysis of American Community Survey Data (1-year samples from IPUMS-USA). Download
Resources
Education
The following data represents that reported by NC women in 2016:
| Educational Attainment (25+) | ||
| Less than HS | 11% | |
| HS/GED | 25% | |
| Some College | 33% | |
| BA+ | 31% | |
| Caucasian Educational Attainment (25+) | ||
| Less than HS | 8% | |
| HS/GED | 24% | |
| Some College | 33% | |
| BA+ | 34% | |
| African American Educational Attainment (25+) | ||
| Less than HS | 14% | |
| HS/GED | 26% | |
| Some College | 37% | |
| BA+ | 23% | |
| Asian Educational Attainment (25+) | ||
| Less than HS | 15% | |
| HS/GED | 16% | |
| Some College | 17% | |
| BA+ | 53% | |
| American Indian/Alaska Native Educational Attainment (25+) | ||
| Less than HS | 19% | |
| HS/GED | 33% | |
| Some College | 33% | |
| BA+ | 15% | |
| Hispanic Educational Attainment (25+) | ||
| Less than HS | 37% | |
| HS/GED | 25% | |
| Some College | 21% | |
| BA+ | 17% | |
| % Currently enrolled in school (18-29) | 38.8% | |
| Caucasian | 39% | |
| African American | 39% | |
| Asian | 49% | |
| American Indian/Alaska Native | 29% | |
| Hispanic | 33% | |
Source: Carolina Demography analysis of American Community Survey Data (1-year samples from IPUMS-USA). Download 2008-2016 Data
Preventative Health
Observations
- The number of African American women in NC aged 50-74 who reported receiving a mammogram in the past two years (84%) exceeds the Healthy People 2020 target of 81.1%. Caucasian women are almost at that target at 79%. BRFSS sample size for 2016 was too small for information on other minority groups.
- North Carolina women are exceeding Healthy People 2020 targets for colorectal screenings.
- Dental care is a weakness for all women, but particularly African American women.
- 75% of women participated in physical activity outside of their work but we do not know if that is once a month or five times a week.
- Healthy People 2020’s target for seasonal influenza (flu) vaccinations is 70%. Only 47% of NC women received a flu shot in 2016.
- The Healthy People 2020 goal for sleep is that 70.8% of women get 7+ hours a night. NC women fall just short of that target at 68%, with only 60% of African American women reporting 7+ hours of sleep a night. Sleep loss and untreated sleep disorders influence basic patterns of behavior that negatively affect family health and interpersonal relationships. Fatigue and sleepiness can reduce productivity and increase the chance for mishaps such as medical errors and motor vehicle or industrial accidents.
- On the whole, Caucasian women are more likely to be diagnosed with a range of illnesses, such as chronic disease, cardiovascular disease, and depression. They are also more likely to report cancer, and less likely to die from cancer. This suggests a racial health disparity in doctor willingness to diagnose or a lack of doctor access.
- Although data is often unavailable, Hispanic and Asian women appear to have very low health screening rates.
The following data represents that reported by NC women in 2016:
| All NC Females | Caucasian Females | African Americans Females | |
| Women 50+ who have ever had a sigmoidoscopy or colonoscopy | 76% | 78% | 79% |
| Women age 50-75 who received one or more of the recommended colorectal cancer screening tests within the recommended time interval. | 74% | 75% | 78% |
| Women 50-74 who have mammogram in last 2 years | 79% | 79% | 84% |
| Women who have visited the dentist/dental clinic in the past year | 67% | 71% | 57% |
| Women 18+ who have had pap test w/in past 3 years | 77% | 77% | 80% |
| Women 65+ who have ever had a pneumonia vaccination | 74% | *** | *** |
| Women 65+ who have had a flu shot within past year | 65% | *** | *** |
| Women 18+ who have had a flu shot in the past year | 47% | 50% | 40% |
| Women who participated in physical activities in past month | 75% | 76% | 71% |
| Women who had a routine checkup in the past year | 80% | 79% | 86% |
| Women who sleep, on average, 7 or more hours in a 24-hour period | 68% | 70% | 60% |
Source: Carolina Demography analysis of 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Download
In The News
- Physically fit women nearly 90 percent less likely to develop dementia
- Diagnosing breast cancer using red light
- Biological factors and weight loss methods
Resources
- Dept. of Health & Human Services: Getting Active
- Dept. of Health & Human Services: What You Should Know About Sleep
- Healthy People 2020: Nutrition and Weight Status
- Healthy People 2020: Physical Activity
- Healthy People 2020: Sleep Health
Chronic Disease
Observations
- After age 65, over half of North Carolina women are living with two or more chronic diseases. Chronic disease has a negative impact on the overall physical, mental, and financial well-being of women. Those with one chronic disease are at a higher risk of developing other chronic diseases.
- Arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus, and fibromyalgia are common and experienced by 29% of the state’s women. After age 55, over half of women reported arthritis or a related disease. By age 75+, this was the most common chronic disease reported. Older women need to be especially careful about arthritis pain as it can lead to falls.
- 62% of women are overweight or obese. Obesity plays an important role in the risk factors for chronic diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and stroke. Particular attention to lifestyle factors such as diet and physical activity have been shown to have a positive impact on weight data.
- African American women are nearly twice as likely as Caucasian women to meet criteria for obesity. This is undoubtedly a major contributor to the finding that 47% of the state’s African American women have been diagnosed with high blood pressure. It also reflects their increased risk for metabolic disorders such as diabetes. Importantly, 71% of African American women are being appropriately screened for diabetes.
- Many women with diabetes are unaware that they have it and discovery may not occur until after damage to the heart, eyes, kidneys, and other organs has occurred. Risk increases rapidly from ages 35 to 64. Women should talk with their doctor about diabetes prevention and whether they need to be tested for diabetes.
- Heart disease is the number one killer of women. While it is a serious concern for women of all ages, rates of heart disease increase dramatically between age groups 55-64, 65-74, and 75+. Women should strive to maintain a healthy weight and diet while engaging in exercise to decrease their risk of heart disease.
The following data represents that reported by NC women in 2016, unless otherwise noted:
| All NC Females | Caucasian Females | African American Females | 18 to 34 | 35 to 44 | 45 to 54 | 55 to 64 | 65 to 74 | 75+ | |
| Women with no chronic diseases | 44% | 39% | 47% | 66% | 53% | 46% | 31% | 18% | 16% |
| Women with 1 chronic disease | 28% | 29% | 25% | 25% | 27% | 25% | 30% | 33% | 30% |
| Women with 2 or more chronic diseases | 29% | 31% | 28% | 9% | 20% | 30% | 40% | 49% | 54% |
| Chronic disease summary index is comprised of 9 indicators | |||||||||
| History of any cardiovascular disease (heart attack/stroke/angina). Consists of yes to any of the following: | 9% | 9% | 11% | *** | 2% | 7% | 12% | 18% | 25% |
| Ever been told you had a heart attack (also called myocardial infarction)? | 3% | 3% | 4% | *** | *** | *** | 4% | 6% | 11% |
| Ever been told you have angina or coronary heart disease? | 4% | 5% | 3% | *** | *** | 3% | 5% | 10% | 13% |
| Ever been told you had a stroke? | 4% | 4% | 7% | *** | *** | 4% | 7% | 8% | 11% |
| Women currently with asthma | 11% | 9% | 14% | 10% | 12% | 10% | 12% | 12% | 7% |
| Women ever told they had skin cancer | 7% | 10% | *** | *** | 2% | 7% | 11% | 14% | 22% |
| Women ever told they had other cancer | 8% | 9% | 5% | *** | 4% | 7% | 8% | 16% | 20% |
| Women ever told they had COPD, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis | 8% | 8% | 9% | 3% | 5% | 7% | 13% | 16% | 12% |
| Women ever told they had some form of arthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, gout, lupus, or fibromyalgia | 29% | 33% | 28% | 7% | 17% | 28% | 44% | 55% | 57% |
| Women ever told they had a depressive disorder, including depression, major depression, dysthymia, or minor depression | 24% | 27% | 19% | 22% | 26% | 25% | 29% | 25% | 14% |
| Women ever told they had kidney disease | 4% | 3% | 4% | 2% | *** | 3% | 6% | 6% | 5% |
| Women ever told they had diabetes | 12% | 11% | 174% | 1% | 7% | 13% | 17% | 25% | 21% |
| Other Diabetes | |||||||||
| Women ever told by a health professional they have pre-or borderline diabetes | 1.9% | 1.4% | 3.5% | *** | *** | *** | 3.6% | 2.8% | *** |
| (2015 BRFSS) Women ever been tested for high blood sugar or diabetes in the past 3 years | 65% | 65% | 71% | 52% | 66% | 65% | 76% | 78% | 73% |
| Weight range (at recommended, overweight, obese, underweight or unknown) by Race/Ethnicity | |||||||||
| Underweight | 2% | 2% | 2% | 3% | 1% | 1% | 2% | 2% | 2% |
| Recommended Range | 36% | 40% | 22% | 42% | 34% | 31% | 32% | 28% | 47% |
| Overweight | 29% | 29% | 27% | 25% | 25% | 30% | 31% | 36% | 30% |
| Obese | 33% | 29% | 50% | 29% | 40% | 39% | 35% | 34% | 22% |
| Other (from 2015 BRFSS) | |||||||||
| % of women who have ever told by health professional they have high blood pressure | 35% | 34% | 47% | 9% | 20% | 35% | 55% | 67% | 67% |
| % of women who have ever told by health professional they have high cholesterol | 37% | 39% | 39% | 8% | 25% | 38% | 53% | 57% | 57% |
Source: Carolina Demography analysis of 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Download
In The News
- Disrupting normal hormone cycle spurs fat cells
- Restoring gut microbiome may help women with polycystic ovary syndrome, suggests NIH study
Resources
- Dept. of Health & Human Services: Heart Disease and Stroke
- Healthy People 2020: Arthritis, Osteoporosis, and Chronic Back Conditions
- Healthy People 2020: Chronic Kidney Disease
- Healthy People 2020: Diabetes
- Healthy People 2020: Heart Disease and Stroke
Mental Health and Substance Abuse
Observations
- One in four NC women has been diagnosed with a depressive disorder and, unlike other chronic conditions, the rate of depression does not increase with age. So, even among young women, almost a quarter have suffered from some form of depression. Stressful life events contribute to both mental and physical illness. Assessing current stressful events as part of a clinical history may improve the clinical care and outcomes for women in NC and beyond.
- A quarter of North Carolina women reported three or more adverse childhood experiences. This rate is higher than national averages and should be an area to highlight for intervention efforts. The data underscore not only the prevalence and problem of childhood adversity, but that it cuts across all socioeconomic and racial divides. Depression in later life is a common consequence of childhood adversity.
- Depression is common and must be part of regular health screening for women, both in the perinatal period and at all other times. There are effective treatments and women should not hesitate to discuss their concerns with their primary care doctor.
- Caucasian women in North Carolina are 1.5 times as likely to have been diagnosed with a depressive disorder as African American women. Research suggests this may be due to the heavily rural makeup of the state, however the racial difference in childhood adversity is also a likely causal factor.
- North Carolina substance use data among women is slightly lower than national data and is generally in line with other states’ data. However, the need for effective prevention and treatment still exists.
The following data represents that reported by NC women in 2016:
| All NC Females | Caucasian Females | African American Females | |
| Percent of women ever diagnosed with depressive disorder | 24% | 27% | 19% |
| Percent of women reporting 3+ adverse childhood experiences | 27% | 28% | 18% |
| Percent of women who currently smoke | 15% | 16% | 16% |
| Percent of women who participate in binge drinking | 11% | 11% | 10% |
| Percent of women who participate in heavy drinking | 7% | 8% | 6% |
Source: Carolina Demography analysis of 2016 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Download
In The News
- Researchers identify 44 genomic variants associated with depression
- Risk, Predictors of Postpartum Psychosis in Women With Bipolar Disorder
- Lingering feelings over daily stresses may impact long-term health
- Menopausal Hormone Therapy May Benefit the Brain
- Babies Born to Women Addicted to Opioids
Resources
- NIH: Women and Mental Health
- NIH: Depression in Women – 5 Things You Should Know
- Dept. of Health & Human Services: Anxiety Disorders
- Dept. of Health & Human Services: Stress and your health
- Healthy People 2020: Dementias, Including Alzheimer’s Disease
- Healthy People 2020: Mental Health and Mental Disorders
- Healthy People 2020: Substance Abuse
- Healthy People 2020: Tobacco Use
Infectious Disease
Observations
- North Carolina continues to be well below the Healthy People 2020 goal of having 73.6% of all adolescents and adults tested for HIV. African American women are nearly twice as likely to have been tested (57%) as Caucasian women (33%).
The following data represents that reported by NC women in 2016:
| All NC Females | Caucasian Females | African American Females | American Indian/Alaska Native | Asian/Pacific Islander | Hispanic | |
| Percent ever tested for HIV | 42% | 32% | 57% | *** | *** | *** |
| Incidence of newly diagnosed cases per 100,000 women (2016) | ||||||
| HIV infections | 6.0 | 1.6 | 18.5 | 1.9 | 8.4 | 5.1 |
| AIDS | 4.2 | 0.9 | 14.0 | 3.8 | 3.0 | 2.9 |
| Primary and secondary syphilis | 2.1 | 0.6 | 6.6 | 1.6 | 0.6 | 0.2 |
| Early latent syphilis | 3.0 | 0.9 | 9.4 | 3.2 | 0.6 | 1.6 |
| Gonorrhea | 183.2 | 41.9 | 382.4 | 240.3 | 13.1 | 61.2 |
| Chlamydia | 788.8 | 229.3 | 1,196.2 | 977.2 | 144.9 | 637.6 |
Source: NC 2016 HIV/STD Surveillance Report. Download
In The News
- Evidence of HIV Treatment and Viral Suppression in Preventing the Sexual Transmission of HIV
- How did Gonorrhea Become a Drug-resistant Superbug?
Resources
- National Cancers Institute: HPV
- NIH: Women of Color Health Information Collection – HIV Infection and AIDS
- Healthy People 2020: HIV
- Healthy People 2020: Immunization and Infectious Disease
- Healthy People 2020: Sexually Transmitted Diseases
- Dept. of Health & Human Services: HIV and AIDS
Cancer
Observations
- Effective strategies exist to combat the four most prevalent cancers amongst the state’s women, including education on lifestyle, activities, HPV vaccination, and screenings for breast, colorectal, and cervical cancer.
- Although the incidence rates are nearly identical, minority women are 1.5 times as likely to die of breast cancer as Caucasian women and twice as likely to die of cervical or uterine cancer.
The following data represents that reported by NC women in 2015 (per 100,000):
| Mortality Rate | Incidence Rate | |||||
| All Females | Caucasian Female | Minority Female | All Females | Caucasian Female | Minority Female | |
| Oral Cavity | 1.2 | 1.2 | 1.1 | 6.5 | 7.1 | 4.6 |
| Esophagus | 1.1 | 0.9 | 1.4 | 1.2 | 1 | 2 |
| Stomach | 2.2 | 1.8 | 3.5 | 4 | 3.3 | 6.4 |
| Colon & Rectum | 11.8 | 11 | 14.3 | 30.9 | 29.7 | 33.6 |
| Liver | 4 | 3.8 | 4.1 | 3.9 | 3.4 | 5.7 |
| Gallbladder | 0.7 | .6 | 1.1 | 1.2 | 1 | 2 |
| Pancreas | 9.7 | 8.8 | 12.7 | 9.7 | 8.9 | 12.5 |
| Larynx | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.6 |
| Lungh & Bronchus | 35.5 | 37.5 | 26.7 | 51.2 | 53.5 | 42 |
| Bone | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.4 | 0.6 | 0.7 | 0.6 |
| Soft Tissue | 1.1 | 1 | 1.4 | 2.3 | 2.2 | 2.5 |
| Melanoma (skin) | 1.6 | 2 | 0.2 | 19.2 | 24.8 | 0.8 |
| Female Breast | 21.7 | 19.1 | 28.2 | 150.7 | 149.6 | 148.2 |
| Cervix Uteri | 1.9 | 1.7 | 2.7 | 6.6 | 6.3 | 7.3 |
| Corpus Uteri | 4.1 | 3.4 | 6.4 | 24.3 | 24.1 | 24.6 |
| Ovary | 6.1 | 6.1 | 6.3 | 9.9 | 10.6 | 7.6 |
| Bladder | 2.1 | 2 | 2.3 | 7.5 | 7.9 | 5.5 |
| Kidney | 1.9 | 1.8 | 2.1 | 10.3 | 9.5 | 13.1 |
| Endocrine | 0.8 | 0.5 | 1.6 | 17.8 | 18.7 | 15 |
| Multiple Myeloma | 3.4 | 2.8 | 5.3 | 5.2 | 3.7 | 9.7 |
| Leukemia | 4.4 | 4.3 | 4.3 | 7.3 | 7.1 | 7.1 |
| Brain & Other CNS (includes benign brain) | 3.2 | 3.5 | 2.1 | 17.4 | 17.6 | 15.7 |
| Hodgkin Disease | 0.3 | 0.2 | 0.5 | 1.8 | 1.7 | 2.1 |
| Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma | 4.2 | 4.4 | 3.4 | 13.4 | 14.2 | 10.1 |
| Other Cancer | 13.3 | 13.5 | 12.2 | 26.3 | 26 | 26.4 |
| All Cancers | 137.0 | 132.6 | 144.6 | 418.1 | 421.6 | 393.4 |
Source: NC Central Cancer Registry. Download
In The News
- For mothers with advanced cancer, parenting concerns affect emotional well-being
- How UNC Lineberger plans to grow cancer care for young patients
- Decrease in lung cancer deaths in women
- Genomic analysis of 33 cancer types completed
- Genetic Testing Underused in Breast Cancer Cases
Resources
- Healthy People 2020: Cancer
- Dept. of Health & Human Services: Cancer
- Mayo Clinic: Lifestyle changes that can lower your risk of cancer
Perinatal Health
Observations
- PRAMS 2015 response rate fell short of the 55% rate that PRAMS has regarded as the epidemiologically valid threshold.
- More NC babies are born with a low birth weight (9.2%) than the Healthy People 2020 target of 7.8%. African American women are more likely than other ethnicities to experience premature birth and have babies with a lower birth weight. Preterm birth and low birth weight can have lifelong implications for the health and well-being of families.
The following data is from 2016 NC Live Births:
| Total | Caucasian | African American |
Other | Hispanic | |
| Low Birth Weight (<=2500 grams) | 9.2% | 7.6% | 14.1% | 9.9% | 7.4% |
| Normal Birth Weight | 90.8% | 92.4% | 85.9% | 90.1% | 92.6% |
| Premature Birth (<37 weeks) | 10.4% | 9.4% | 13.8% | 9.7% | 9.0% |
Source: Carolina Demography analysis of 2016 NC Live Births. Download
In The News
- Study Seeks to Understand Increase in Premature Birth Rate
- Perinatal Depression Seen as Undertreated in Minority Women
- For Every Woman Who Dies In Childbirth In The U.S., 70 More Come Close
- The First Drug For Postpartum Depression Could Be On Its Way
- OB-GYNs Are Urged to See New Mothers Sooner and More Often
- Why America’s Black Mothers and Babies Are in a Life-or-Death Crisis
- Delayed Postpartum Depression Can Show Up Years Later, and Last Longer Than You Think
Resources
- Healthy People 2020: Maternal, Infant, and Child Health
- Dept. of Health and Human Services: Breastfeeding
Intimate Partner Violence
Observations
- Data on intimate partner violence (IPV) is challenging to quantify. Measurement tools vary in their definitions of IPV, making comparisons difficult. Almost all measures rely on self-report, which depends upon accurate recall and willingness to report the violence.
- No amount of IPV is acceptable. IPV during pregnancy increases the risk of adverse birth outcomes with short and long-term complications for women.
- Studies demonstrate that children exposed to violence may be at risk for repeating those patterns in their adult years.
| Total | |
| Percent pushed, hit, slapped, kicked, choked, or physically hurt in 12 months prior to pregnancy | 1.3% |
| Percent pushed, hit, slapped, kicked, choked, or physically hurt during pregnancy | 2.1% |
Source: Carolina Demography analysis of 2015 Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System (PRAMS)
Resources
- Dept. of Health & Human Services: Relationships and Safety
- Healthy People 2020: Injury and Violence Prevention
The following UNC Chapel Hill faculty and staff were integral to the completion of this report card: Rebecca Tippet, Carolina Population Center; Dr. Leigh Callahan, Thurston Arthritis Research Center; Dr. Rebecca Fry, Dr. Penny Gordon-Larsen, Dr. Hazel Nichols, and Dr. Heather Wasser, Gillings School of Global Public Health; Dr. Victoria Bae-Jump, Dr. Kim Boggess, Dr. Giselle Corbie-Smith, Dr. Susan Girdler, Dr. Margaret Gourlay, Dr. Hendree Jones, Dr. Samantha Meltzer-Brody, Dr. Paula Miller, Dr. Wanda Nicholson, and Dr. Alison Stuebe, School of Medicine; Dr. Wendy Brewster, Michael Kerr, and Molly Smith, Center for Women’s Health Research.