A survey designed by UMass Medical School’s Commonwealth Medicine division reveals that 45 percent of the state’s residents have been told they have a chronic condition, according to the Hartford Business Journal.
The May 15 article, CT health survey uncovers high disease rate, details the findings of a survey created, conducted and analyzed by the Office of Survey Research within UMass Medical School’s Commonwealth Medicine division.
The Connecticut Health Care Survey highlighted Connecticut residents’ perspectives on their health and the health care system. Here are just a few of the findings:
- 45% of adults reported being told by a health professional that they have a chronic health condition, including diabetes, hypertension, asthma, heart disease and/or cancer.
- 34% of parents reported that their children were overweight or obese;
- 91% of adults reported having health insurance;
- 28% of adults reported postponing needed medical care in the prior year;
- 15% of adults reported cost as a barrier to obtaining needed prescription medication in the prior year;
- 86% of adults reported having a usual place to go for medical care; and
- Among those with a usual source of care, 76% reported that their provider always spent enough time with them in the prior year.
The telephonic survey, conducted between June 2012 and February 2013, asked Connecticut residents questions about themselves and the children within their households. Nearly 5,500 surveys were completed, including 4,608 regarding adults and 839 regarding children.
The survey was funded by the Aetna Foundation, Children’s Fund of Connecticut, Connecticut Health Foundation, the Foundation for Community Health, the Patrick and Catherine Weldon Donaghue Medical Research Foundation and Universal Health Care Foundation of Connecticut.