Poor health carries a price in Owen County
Health problems affect more than life expectancy and quality of life. For employers and communities, chronic illness and preventable health conditions can also translate into higher medical spending and, eventually, pressure on health insurance costs.
Recent data show Owen County faces several health challenges that could contribute to greater use of medical care.
The 2024 Community Health Needs Assessment prepared by IU Health Bloomington Hospital found that Owen County ranked 71st among Indiana’s 92 counties for overall health outcomes in the 2023 County Health Rankings and 72nd for health factors.
Of 41 health indicators examined, 30 placed Owen County in the bottom half of Indiana counties, 19 were in the bottom quarter and four were among the bottom 10.
Among the concerns were smoking, obesity and physical inactivity. County Health Rankings data included in the IU Health assessment estimated 24.3% of Owen County adults smoked, compared with 20.2% statewide. Adult obesity was estimated at 39.1%, compared with 37.2% statewide, while 28.4% of adults reported no leisure-time physical activity, compared with 25.6% statewide.
Access to care is another challenge. The assessment reported only 38.8% of Owen County residents had adequate access to locations for physical activity, compared with 76.8% statewide. The county also had one primary care physician for every 10,420 residents, compared with one for every 1,520 residents statewide.
Those statistics take on additional significance following recent discussions about health insurance for Owen County government employees.
At an Aug. 6 meeting of the Owen County Commissioners, insurance adviser Ron Remak reported that three major insurance carriers declined to quote coverage for the county. Remak said the county had experienced claims totaling more than twice the premiums paid during the preceding year.
That does not mean every Owen County resident pays higher insurance premiums because of the county’s health statistics.
Under Affordable Care Act rules, Indiana is divided into 17 geographic rating areas for individual and small-group insurance. Owen County is part of Rating Area 13 along with Brown, Johnson, Lawrence and Monroe counties. Insurers may consider geography when establishing premiums, but an individual applicant cannot be charged more because he or she has diabetes, obesity, heart disease or another pre-existing health condition.
Employer health plans are different. The claims experience of an employee group can affect what insurers are willing to charge, or whether they are willing to offer coverage at all. For Owen County government, unusually high claims have already become part of that equation.
Improving community health is therefore about more than lowering a number on a health ranking.
Reducing tobacco use, increasing opportunities for physical activity, improving access to primary and preventive care, and helping residents manage conditions such as diabetes and high blood pressure can potentially prevent more serious and more expensive health problems later.
Owen County residents can also take advantage of local preventive services. The Owen County Health Department offers vaccinations, blood pressure and blood glucose checks, A1C screenings, tobacco cessation assistance and other services.
The connection between community health and insurance premiums is complicated, and no single year of insurance claims proves that Owen County’s broader health statistics caused the county government’s insurance difficulties.
But the two tell a related story: Poor health carries costs for individuals, families, employers and ultimately the community, while investments that make healthy choices easier may pay dividends far beyond the doctor’s office.
References if you would like to learn more
- IU Health Bloomington Hospital’s 2024 Community Health Needs Assessment
- County Health Rankings & Roadmaps’ Indiana data page
- Information related to regional health insurance rates: CMS and Indiana Department of Insurance ACA filings page
- Aug. 21 issue of The Owen News
- Owen County Health Department
