New Survey Methodology Changes Uninsured, Smoking Rates

(Salt Lake City, UT) – New methodology used to conduct the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) survey, one of Utah’s most important sources of public health population data, has resulted in changes to Utah’s uninsured and smoking rates. The survey now includes interviews conducted by cellular telephone in addition to landline phones, and has also adopted a new weighting methodology.

As a result, the BRFSS now estimates 368,200 Utahns between the ages of 18-64, or 21.5 percent of this population, did not have health insurance in 2010. Under the old methodology, the estimate for this same population was 247,100 uninsured 18- to 64-year-olds, or 14.4 percent of that population.

Another health indicator impacted by the new methodology is Utah’s adult smoking rate. The new BRFSS estimates 220,000 Utah adults, or 11.2 percent of this population are smokers. The old methodology put the estimate on adult smokers at 175,000, or 8.8 percent of the adult population. This improved accuracy is critical for preventing tobacco use and providing services to those who want to quit.

Including cell phone users in the survey accounts for the increasing number of Utah households without landline phones, and also addresses an under-representation of males, adults with less formal education or lower household income, and racial and ethnic minorities.

However, the UDOH and the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which oversees the survey, are quick to caution against misinterpretation of the changes in estimates that may result from the new survey design.

“It’s important to realize that shifts in prevalence estimates for 2011 might not represent actual changes in trends in risk factor prevalence in the population, but instead the changes may simply reflect improved methods of measuring these risk factors,” said Michael Friedrichs, UDOH Bureau of Health Promotion Epidemiologist.

In the coming months, the UDOH will be evaluating the effects of these changes on other public health indicators and publishing updated estimates online and in printed reports.

“Having more accurate data will allow us and our partners throughout the state to better target our efforts to help make Utah the healthiest state,” said UDOH Executive Director Dr. David Patton.

The BRFSS is a household health survey overseen by the CDC and conducted by individual state health departments. For more information on these methodology changes, please visit http://health.utah.gov/opha/publications/hsu/1206_BRFSSCell.pdf. The CDC also released a report outlining the changes to the BRFSS and showing their effect on national level estimates of some health indicators. The report can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6122a3.htm?s_cid=mm6122a3_w.

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Media Contact:

Michael Friedrichs
Utah Department of Health
801-538-6244

Two Hantavirus-related Deaths in Utah

(Salt Lake City, UT)  – Utah public health officials have confirmed two deaths as a result of hantavirus exposure.  The deaths occurred in Millard County and in Salt Lake County as a result of Hantavirus Pulmonary Syndrome (HPS), a rare, but deadly, lung disease. 

HPS is spread by breathing in dust around rodent-infested areas that contain hantavirus, and is not spread from person-to-person. This can happen when rodent urine and droppings that contain hantavirus become airborne. The average age of known cases is 35 years with an age range of 11 to 69 years.  No ethnic group appears to be more at risk than another.

Activities that can put people at risk include:

•  Improperly cleaning up mouse and rat urine, droppings and nests.

•  Cleaning a shed or cabin that has been closed for some time.

•  Working in areas where mice and rats may live (such as barns).

Although HPS is rare, infection can be prevented by avoiding contact with rodents and their droppings.  Try to avoid any activities that might stir up dust around rodent-infested areas.

To safely clean up rodent urine and droppings, wear a mask, glasses, and rubber or plastic gloves. Get the urine and droppings very wet with disinfectant or a mixture of bleach and water.  Allow to soak for five minutes.  Use a paper towel to wipe up urine or droppings and throw the towel into the garbage. Mop the area with disinfectant or a bleach solution. 

When  finished, wash gloved hands with soap and water or spray a disinfectant or bleach solution on the gloves before taking them off.  Wash hands with soap and warm water after removing the gloves. 

The recommended cleaning solution is a mixture of 1½ cups household bleach and 1 gallon of water.  A smaller amount can be made with one part bleach and 10 parts water. 

Hantavirus symptoms generally begin with a fever greater than 100.5° F, muscle aches, and chills.  Other common symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, nausea and vomiting, diarrhea, and headache.  Less common symptoms are dizziness or a light-headed feeling, sweating, and joint, back, chest, or abdominal pain. If you experience symptoms, contact your medical provider immediately. 

Media Contact:
Rebecca Ward
Media Coordinator
(801) 538-6822 (o)
(801) 647-5421 (m)

Honoring Utah’s Emergency Responders

(Salt Lake City, Utah) – The Utah Department of Health (UDOH), Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and Preparedness paid tribute to the emergency medical professionals representing the many dedicated heroes whose mission is saving lives.  Today’s EMS Awards Ceremony gave special recognition to several different categories of responders who went above and beyond in the handling of critical situations. 

Special recognition was given to those who responded to a vehicle versus train crash last November.  Kaysville police, the Kaysville Fire Department, the Layton Fire Department, and the Davis County Sheriff’s office all responded when a UTA Frontrunner train ran into a van carrying three people.  The adult female driver, Clara Lewis, was found in critical condition with life-threatening head injuries.

When Davis county paramedics, Deputy Shane Archibald and Deputy Shane Sorenson, discovered her airway was restricted, they elected to use a pre-hospital rapid sequence intubation (RSI) protocol they had only recently been trained in, likely saving her life.  It was the first time they’d used the procedure. 

“As I reflect on the many lives the men and women in the EMS profession have affected, my respect and admiration for their commitment and fortitude continues to expand,” said Bureau Director Paul Patrick.  “It’s one of the highlights of the year to have the opportunity to thank them publicly and acknowledge their remarkable service.”

Special recognition also went to West Valley Police Officer Kevin Peck, whose story went viral in December after he responded to an incident involving a pedestrian and a UTA bus.  24-year old Aryann Smith’s legs were pinned under the large vehicle and she was awake and frightened.  Officer Peck crawled under the bus to take her pulse and remained there, holding her hand, until fire crews were able to lift up the bus and get her out.                                

For more information on the EMS Awards Ceremony and a complete list of winners, visit the UDOH Bureau of Emergency Medical Services and Preparedness website at www.health.utah.gov/ems.

Media Contact:

Tamara Goodin

Emergency Medical Services Systems

Cell: (801) 230-2963

Office: (801) 273-6672