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Fast Facts

Statistics about the population of West Virginia

US Census 2018, Vintage 2018

Age (% > 65 years)	19.4%	Why are these statistics important? Statistics like age, sex, income and education are part of the Social Determinants of Health. These factors have been shown to affect a person’s health outcomes. Understanding these factors can help organizations like the West Virginia Bureau for Public Health improve health for each citizen of our state.
Race (% white)	93.6%
Ethnicity (% Hispanic)	1.6%
Disability (% < 65 years)	14.4%
Median household income	$44,061
Proportion in poverty	19.1%
High school graduate	85.9%

West Virginia Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System

Each year since 1984, the West Virginia Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) has measured a range of risk factors that can affect our health. This report presents state survey results for the year 2018 as well as county data combined for the latest available five years (2013 through 2018).

The survey is conducted by telephone and represents a collaborative effort between the West Virginia Department of Health and Human Resources’ Health Statistics Center (HSC) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in Atlanta. Standardized survey methods are provided by the CDC. All 50 states, the District of Columbia, and several U.S. territories now participate in the system, known as the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS).

The information in this report serves as a resource for governments, business leaders, schools, and community groups, all of which are helping to shape the health of West Virginia.

West Virginia Health Statistics Center, West Virginia Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System Report 2016

According to 2018 West Virginia BRFSS

Health Status West Virginia ranked 2nd highest nationally in the prevalence of general health of adults as either fair or poor. More than one-fourth of West Virginia adults (26.3%) considered their health to be either fair or poor. Fair or poor health was most common among groups of adults aged 55-64, those with less than a high school education, and those who have an annual household income of less than $15,000. The prevalence of fair or poor health was highest in Boone, Fayette, Lincoln, Logan, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, and Wyoming counties. West Virginia ranked 1st highest in the nation for the prevalence of poor physical health, poor mental health, and activity limitations due to poor physical or mental health.	Health Care Access The prevalence of no health care coverage among West Virginia adults aged 18-64 was at an all-time low of 9.3%, compared to 14.1% nationally. The prevalence of no health care coverage among those aged 18-64 was highest in Barbour and Logan counties. Nearly half of West Virginia adults have private insurance (45.1%), followed by Medicare (24.3%) and Medicaid (15.9%). Nearly one-fifth of all adults do not have a personal doctor or health care provider (19.5%). Approximately 14.6% of West Virginia adults could not afford needed medical care in the past year. More than one-fifth of West Virginia adults did not have a routine checkup in the past year (21.4%).	Weight Status The prevalence of obesity in West Virginia was 37.7%, which was 1st highest in the nation. The prevalence of obesity was significantly higher in Fayette, Logan, and McDowell counties than in the rest of the state. More than two-thirds (70.9%) of West Virginia adults were overweight or obese, the 2nd highest in the U.S. The prevalence of overweight or obese was highest among men, those aged 45-54, those with a high school education, and those with an annual household income of $50,000-$74,999.
Physical Activity More than one-fourth of West Virginia adults (28.5%) did not participate in leisure-time physical activity or exercise, which ranked West Virginia 11th highest in the nation. The prevalence of physical inactivity was significantly higher among females than males. Physical inactivity was highest among those aged 65 and older, those with less than a high school education, and those with annual household income of less than $15,000. The prevalence of physical inactivity was significantly higher in Grant, Logan, McDowell, Mercer, Mingo, Webster, and Wyoming counties than the rest of the state.	Sugar-Sweetened Beverages More than one-fourth of West Virginia adults (28.8%) consume soda or pop on a daily basis. The prevalence of daily soda or pop consumption was highest among men, those aged 25-34, and those with less than a high school education. Nearly one in five West Virginia adults (19.1%) consume sugar-added beverages on a daily basis. The prevalence of daily consumption of sugar-added beverages was highest among males, those aged 18-24, and those with a high school education or less. Approximately 39.2% of West Virginia adults consume either soda, pop, or a sugar-added beverage on a daily basis. Menu Labeling Nearly half of West Virginia adults (47.2%) use calorie information provided on menus. The prevalence of using calorie information on menus was highest among women, college graduates, and those with an annual household income of $75,000 or more.	Cardiovascular Disease West Virginia ranked 1st highest in the nation in the prevalence of heart attack (7.5%) and coronary heart disease (8.0%). West Virginia ranked the 7th highest in the nation in the prevalence of stroke (4.4%). The overall cardiovascular disease prevalence was 1st highest in the nation at 14.6%. The prevalence of cardiovascular disease was highest among men, those aged 65 and older, those with less than a high school education, and those with an annual household income less than $15,000. The prevalence of cardiovascular disease was significantly higher in Grant, Logan, McDowell, Mingo, and Wyoming counties than the state as a whole. More than half of West Virginia adults (50.8%) are currently watching or reducing their sodium intake.
Cancer Approximately 7.4% of West Virginia adults had ever had skin cancer and 8.1% had ever had some other type of cancer. About 1 in 7 West Virginia adults had been diagnosed with cancer, but were still living (14.0%), which ranked West Virginia the 3rd highest for overall cancer prevalence. Cancer prevalence was highest among adults aged 65 and older and those with an annual household income of $25,000-$34,999. Among cancer survivors, 35.4% received a written summary of all cancer treatments and 4.9% participated in a clinical trial. Among cancer survivors, 63.9% received instructions about routine cancer check-ups after treatment and 76.2% of those were written instructions.	Cancer Screening The prevalence of had a mammogram in the past 2 years among women aged 50-74 was 77.8%, similar to the U.S. prevalence. The prevalence of had a Pap test in the past 3 years among women aged 21-65 was 79.5%, similar to the U.S. prevalence. Among West Virginia men aged 40 and older, 52.9% discussed the advantages of the prostate specific antigen (PSA) test with a doctor, 31.8% discussed the disadvantages of the PSA test with a doctor, 52.5% had a doctor who recommended having the PSA test, and 42.7% had a PSA test in the past 2 years. Among adults aged 50-75, 10.0% had a Fecal Occult Blood Test (FOBT) test in the past year and 16.8% had a FOBT test in the past 3 years. Among adults aged 50-75, 63.3% had a colonoscopy in the past 10 years, similar to the U.S. prevalence. More than two-thirds of West Virginia adults aged 50-75 had at least one of the recommended colorectal cancer screenings (67.0%), which was similar to the U.S. prevalence.	Diabetes More than 1 in 10 West Virginia adults had diabetes (15.0%), which ranked West Virginia the 2nd highest nationally. The prevalence of diabetes was highest among those aged 65 and older, those with less than a high school education, and those with an annual household income of less than $15,000. The prevalence of diabetes was significantly higher in Grant, Logan, McDowell, and Wayne counties than the state as a whole. Among West Virginia adults with diabetes, 24.3% had 2 or more A1C test in the past year and 48.0% have taken a diabetes self-management class. Approximately 11.0% of West Virginia adults had pre-diabetes. The prevalence of borderline or pre-diabetes was highest among those aged 65 and older and those with less than a high school education. Diabetes Testing Among West Virginia adults who do not have diabetes, 62.9% have had a diabetes test in the past 3 years. The prevalence of had a diabetes test in the past 3 years was highest among those aged 65 and older, college graduates, and those with an annual income of $25,000-$34,999.
Arthritis More than 1 in 3 West Virginia adults had arthritis (38.9%), which ranked West Virginia 1st highest in the nation. Arthritis prevalence was highest among those aged 65 and older, those with less than a high school education, and those with an annual household income of less than $15,000. The prevalence of arthritis was highest in Fayette, Logan, McDowell, Mingo, Nicholas, Wetzel, and Wyoming counties.
Comorbidities Approximately 1 in 6 West Virginia adults (17.3%) were both obese and had arthritis. About 1 in 6 West Virginia adults (14.8%) had arthritis and did not exercise. About 1 in 8 West Virginia adults (12.9%) were obese and did not exercise. About 1 in 11 West Virginia adults (9.2%) were obese and had diabetes. Approximately 1 in 20 West Virginia adults (5.3%) had both cardiovascular disease and diabetes. About 1 in 11 West Virginia adults (8.7%) were current smokers who had depression.	Respiratory Diseases Approximately 16.2% of West Virginia adults have ever been diagnosed with asthma and 11.8% of West Virginia adults currently had asthma. Women had significantly higher prevalence of both lifetime and current asthma than men. The prevalence of both lifetime asthma and current asthma was highest among those with less than a high school education and those with an annual household income of less than $15,000. The prevalence of current asthma was significantly higher in Harrison and McDowell counties than the rest of the state. The prevalence of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease or COPD in West Virginia was 13.9%, which was 1st highest in the nation. The prevalence of COPD was highest among adults aged 55-64, those with less than a high school education, and those with an annual household income of less than $15,000. The prevalence of COPD was significantly higher in Fayette, Lincoln, Logan, McDowell, Mercer, and Mingo counties than the rest of the state.	Tobacco Use Nearly one-fourth of adults (24.8%) currently smoke cigarettes every day or some days, which ranked West Virginia the 2nd highest nationally. The prevalence of current smoking was highest among those aged 25-34, those with less than a high school education, and those with an annual household income of less than $15,000. The prevalence of current cigarette smoking was highest in Calhoun and Wyoming counties. Approximately 54.7% of current smokers had tried to quit smoking in the past year, which was the 46th highest (equating to 9th lowest) in the nation. West Virginia ranked the 2nd highest in the nation in the prevalence of smokeless tobacco use (8.5%) among adults. The prevalence of smokeless tobacco use was highest in Grant and Lincoln counties. The prevalence of respondents who currently use e-cigarettes was 4.7%, similar to the U.S. prevalence, and was highest among adults aged 18-24.