General Health
Currently, San Luis Obispo County ranks as number 13 out of 58 California counties in regards to Health Outcomes.1 Based on the most current data, San Luis Obispo County had about 92% of insured residents (adults and children). Although a majority of health behaviors of residents fall well below the state average, San Luis Obispo County has an increased percentage of Adult Smoking, Adult Drinking, Excessive Drinking, and Alcohol-Impaired driving accidents.2
Lung Health & Cancer
Based on the most current data, 11.1% of San Luis Obispo County adult residents (residents over the age of 18) are current smokers. Out of these residents, the majority of residents that smoke is 70% of Non-Hispanic White adults.3 For lung cancer, San Luis Obispo County ranks 19th on the list with an average of 1,813 deaths over the course of two years with an adjusted death rate of 135.5 per 100,00 population.4
Tuberculosis
As according to the most recent data compiled in 2019, San Luis Obispo County had a total of 2.2 reported cases5 and ranked 31st out of the 58 California counties.
Pneumonia & Influenza
Influenza-related and pneumonia (primary and secondary) deaths are still prevalent issues in San Luis Obispo County. According to the most recent data, the adjusted death in 2017 was 13 deaths per 100,00 population resulting in 58 total deaths.6
Asthma
Based on the most recent data collected from the California Health Interview Survey in 2016, 14.4% of residents over the age of 18 suffer from asthma.7 The greatest number of residents who are treated for primary and emergency care of asthma are covered under Medicaid, specifically 4.7%. This value is low in comparison to the state level, at 5.4%.8
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease or COPD: According to the San Luis Obispo 2018 Community Health Assessment, the 4th leading cause of death was COPD.9 By comparison, COPD is ranked as the 3rd leading cause of death in the United States. The age-adjusted death rate from COPD in San Luis Obispo County was 35.6 per 100,000 population.
1. “San Luis Obispo (SP).” County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, www.countyhealthrankings.org/app/california/2018/rankings/san-luis-obispo/county/outcomes/overall/snapshot
2. “San Luis Obispo (SP).” County Health Rankings & Roadmaps, www.countyhealthrankings.org/app/california/2018/rankings/san-luis-obispo/county/outcomes/overall/snapshot.
3. California Health Interview Survey. http://ask.chis.ucla.edu/ask/SitePages/AskChisLogin.aspx?ReturnUrl=/AskCHIS/tools/_layouts/Authenticate.aspx?Source=%2FAskCHIS%2Ftools%2F%5Flayouts%2FAskChisTool%2Fhome%2Easpx&Source=/AskCHIS/tools/_layouts/AskChisTool/home.aspx#.
4. California Health Interview Survey. http://ask.chis.ucla.edu/ask/SitePages/AskChisLogin.aspx?ReturnUrl=/AskCHIS/tools/_layouts/Authenticate.aspx?Source=%2FAskCHIS%2Ftools%2F%5Flayouts%2FAskChisTool%2Fhome%2Easpx&Source=/AskCHIS/tools/_layouts/AskChisTool/home.aspx#.
5. Counts, SLO Health. “SLO Health Counts.” SLO Health Counts :: Indicators :: Tuberculosis Incidence Rate :: County : San Luis Obispo, www.slohealthcounts.org/index.php?module=indicators&controller=index&action=view&indicatorId=518&localeId=277.
6. “San Luis Obispo County Influenza (Flu) & Pneumonia Death Statistics.” LiveStories, www.livestories.com/statistics/california/san-luis-obispo-county-influenza-flu-pneumonia-deaths-mortality.
7. California Health Interview Survey. http://ask.chis.ucla.edu/ask/SitePages/AskChisLogin.aspx?ReturnUrl=/AskCHIS/tools/_layouts/Authenticate.aspx?Source=%2FAskCHIS%2Ftools%2F%5Flayouts%2FAskChisTool%2Fhome%2Easpx&Source=/AskCHIS/tools/_layouts/AskChisTool/home.aspx#.
8. Counts, SLO Health. “SLO Health Counts.” SLO Health Counts :: Indicators :: Asthma: Medicare Population :: County : San Luis Obispo, www.slohealthcounts.org/indicators/index/view?indicatorId=2052&localeId=277.