November 16, 2007

For more information contact:
Carrie Neff Andrews, M.S., C.H.E.S
Director of Health Education and Promotion
Public Information Officer
309-344-2224

Galesburg, IL –The Knox County Health Department has announced the release of the 2007 version of the Knox County Community Health Report Card. The Report Card is an effort by the Health Department to provide an overview of the community health indicators for Knox County.  Data analyses contained in the Report look at changes occurring over time for specific community health indicators, and compares local health statistics to state and national numbers when possible.


 “It has always been part of the mission of the Knox County Health Department to routinely provide information regarding health status of the community,” Greg Chance, Public Health Administrator for the Health Department stated.  “The Report, which compliments the 2005 Knox County Community Analysis, contains an analysis of numerous community health indicators related to Knox County, and provides a comprehensive picture of the community’s health status using the most up-to-date information available,” reports Chance.


Important items of data contained in the Knox County Community Health Report Card include increasing poverty; especially the among Knox County children.  Poverty is more common in Knox County children that in the State of Illinois or the U.S.; 19.9%, or one in five Knox County children live in poverty.  Health Department staff reported earlier this month that December 2006 data indicated that over 41%, or 5,295 Knox County children receive Medicaid benefits.


Reported cases of child abuse in the County remain far above State of Illinois levels; with Knox County reporting 763 cases in 2006, a rate of 61.8 per 100,000, Illinois has a rate of 30 per 100,000.


Additionally, Knox County is experiencing a decline in overall births, an increase in low birth weight babies, as well as high tobacco use among pregnant Knox County women; numbers of Knox County teen births remain stable showing a rate increase only because of decreasing birth rates overall. 
For more information regarding the Knox County Community Health Report Card to request a copy of the Report, please contact the Knox County Health Department at (309) 344-2224.