Women's Health

Date Updated: 10/12/2011

In terms of general health status, men are more likely than women to report being in excellent or very good health. Women are more likely to report being limited in their activities than men. Nationally, 71.4% of all women are considered overweight. (Women's Health USA 2010 - pdf)

In the case of specific health issues, women experience higher rates of arthritis, asthma and hypertension (in adults over 65) than men.

A range of mental health problems, including depression, disproportionately affect women. Women are also more than twice as likely as men to have an unmet need for mental health treatment or counseling. (Women's Health USA 2010 - pdf)

Income and education are important factors that contribute to women's health and access to health care. In every family structure, women are more likely than men to live in poverty. Minority status also negatively impacts women's health status. For more details, see the additional information section of this measure page.

What this chart shows: Percentage of Deaths in Females by Leading Causes of Death in the United States, 2007

Data Source: Centers for Disease Control & Prevention [pdf]

See data table

What the above data tell us:

In the United States, heart disease and cancer are the leading causes of death in women. According to the Centers for Disease Control, age-adjusted death rates decreased significantly in 2006 for heart disease, cancer, and stroke, the top three leading causes of death for women. In the general population, mortality from heart disease has declined steadily since 1980, while cancer mortality has been on the decline since 1993 (Centers for Disease Control, 2007 [pdf]).

What this chart shows: Mortality Rates* per 100,000 Residents for the Leading Causes of Death in Women in Colorado & Larimer County, 2010

*Age-Adjusted Rate

Data Source: Colorado Department of Health and Environment - Colorado Health Information Dataset

See data table

What the above data tell us:

The leading causes of death in women in Larimer County and Colorado are very similar to those of the United States, however they are ranked in a slightly different order (see both charts above). The number one cause of death for women in Colorado and Larimer County is cancer, whereas the number one cause of death for women in the United States is heart disease.

The female mortality rates in Larimer County for heart disease, stroke, and influenza in 2010 were higher when compared to Colorado.

What this chart shows: Breast Cancer Incidence Rate* (per 100,000) in Colorado & Larimer County, 1999 - 2008

*Age-Adjusted Rate

Data Source: Colorado Department of Health and Environment - Colorado Health Information Dataset

See data table

What the above data tell us:

The overall trend in both Colorado and Larimer County has been a decline in the incidence of breast cancer. Care should be taken in comparing the incidence rate in Larimer County with Colorado because the Larimer County numbers are relatively small.

Over 200,000 new breast cancer cases are diagnosed each year in the United States. In the U.S. today, there are more than 2.5 million breast cancer survivors, and every woman is at risk. See the American Cancer Society for the latest national estimates of new breast cancer cases and deaths, as well as information on factors that influence survival, known risk factors for the disease, prevention details, early detection and treatment methods, and research currently being conducted on breast cancer.

What this chart shows: Breast Cancer Mortality Rate* (per 100,000) - Colorado & Larimer County, 2001-2010

*Age-Adjusted Rate

Data Source: Colorado Department of Health and Environment - Colorado Health Information Dataset

See data table

What the above data tell us:

Over the last decade, Larimer County has met or exceeded the Healthy People 2010 objective for breast cancer mortality (22.3 deaths per 100,000) in eight of the ten years represented in the graph above. Over the last five years, the breast cancer mortality rate in Colorado has remained steadily below the Healthy People 2010 objective. See Additional Information for an explanation of the Healthy People 2010 program.

While breast cancer deaths have been declining nationally over the past two decades, breast cancer cannot yet be prevented. There are ways, however, for women to protect their health. Early detection is an important factor in the successful treatment of breast cancer. For more prevention information, visit Breast Cancer.org.

Additional Information:

Healthy People 2010 is a national health promotion and disease prevention initiative establishing national objectives to improve the health of all Americans, to eliminate disparities, and to increase the years and quality of life. New guidelines and objectives have been established for the next ten years, through 2020.

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Minority Women-

Although women who are minorities experience many of the same health problems as white women, as a group, they are in poorer health, they use fewer health services, and they continue to suffer disproportionately from premature death, disease, and disabilities. Many also face tremendous social, economic, cultural, and other barriers to achieving optimal health (womenshealth.gov).

Uninsured Women-

Per the United States Department of Health and Human Services, about 1 of every 5 U.S. women aged 18-64 years (17 million) is uninsured. According to womenshealth.gov, 'Uninsured women are more likely to suffer serious health problems. They tend to wait too long to seek treatment and many don't fill needed prescription drugs because of cost. Also many don't get preventive care, including lifesaving screening tests such as mammograms and Pap tests.'

Women in Poverty-

See the National Organization for Women Foundation - Women's Health and Poverty Fact Sheet.

Women and Smoking-

According to a 2008 Centers for Disease Control survey, about 1 in 6 American women aged 18 years and older smoke cigarettes and the less education a woman has, the higher the likelihood she will smoke. In general, women smoke less than men. However smoking is becoming more popular among younger women, as approximately 21% of women aged 25-44 are smokers. (Women and Smoking, American Cancer Society, 2009)

Related Information on COMPASS -

• Men's Health
• Cancer Incidence & Mortality
• Cardiovascular Disease & Stroke Mortality
• Lung Cancer Incidence & Mortality
• Perinatal Alcohol and Tobacco Use
• Prenatal Care
• Teen Fertility Rates
• Unintentional Injury Mortality

Other Resources -

• Centers for Disease Control-Cancer Early Detection Program
• Centers for Disease Control-Women's Health
• Colorado Department of Health and Environment Prevention Services Division of Women's Health Section
• Healthinfosource.com: "Your Link to Health Information in Fort Collins"
• Minority Women's Health - The National Women's Health Information Center
• The National Women's Health Information Center and The Office on Women's Health (Sponsored by the U.S Department of Health and Human Services)
• The National Women's Health Resource Center
• The Women's Resource Center (Larimer County)
• Women and Firearms Violence Fact Sheet, Violence Policy Center

Industry Standards or Targets:

Healthy People 2010:

• 3.3 - Reduce the breast cancer death rate to 22.3 deaths per 100,000 females

For a comprehensive list of national health objectives pertaining to women, go to Healthy People 2010.

Data Tables:

Ten Leading Causes of Death in Females-United States, 2007

	Number	% of All Deaths
Heart Disease	306,246	25.1%
Cancer	270,018	22.1%
Stroke (Cerebrovascular Disease)	81,841	6.7%
Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease	66,689	5.5%
Alzheimer's Disease	52,832	4.3%
Accidents (Unintentional Injuries)	43,879	3.6%
Diabetes	35,904	2.9%
Influenza and Pneumonia	28,646	2.3%
Kidney Disease	23,832	2.0%
Septicemia	18,989	1.6%

See chart

Mortality Rate (per 100,000) for the Leading Causes of Death in Females, 2010 (Age-Adjusted Rate)

	Colorado		Larimer County
	Number	Rate	Number	Rate
Cancer	3,465	132.3	220	132.4
Heart Disease	2,860	106.7	210	115.7
Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease	1,124	44.2	50	30.8
Stroke (Cerebrovascular Disease)	1,009	38.0	76	42.2
Alzheimer's Disease	913	33.6	50	29.4
Unintentional Injuries	866	33.0	42	25.5
Diabetes	331	12.6	14	7.9
Influenza and Pneumonia	274	10.2	21	11.3
Kidney Disease	220	8.4	16	8.6
Intentional Injuries	237	9.1	12	7.3

See chart

Breast Cancer Incidence Rate per 100,000 (Age-Adjusted Rate)

Year	Colorado		Larimer County
	Number	Rate	Number	Rate
1999	2,856	143.8	166	146.3
2000	2,789	135.5	167	141.8
2001	2,840	133.9	178	145.1
2002	2,821	129.2	174	135.9
2003	2,858	126.8	174	131.3
2004	2,669	115.1	164	121.5
2005	2,935	123.5	168	119.8
2006	2,937	120.5	164	112.7
2007	3,080	123.2	195	131.6
2008	3,218	124.9	200	128.5

See chart

Breast Cancer Mortality Rate per 100,000 (Age-Adjusted Rate)

	Colorado		Larimer County		Healthy People 2010 Objective
	Number	Rate	Number	Rate
2001	467	22.2	26	20.8	22.3
2002	493	22.9	25	19.6	22.3
2003	506	23.0	26	20.0	22.3
2004	507	22.4	37	27.3	22.3
2005	514	22.0	25	17.4	22.3
2006	491	20.7	23	15.9	22.3
2007	455	18.5	26	17.2	22.3
2008	484	19.0	26	16.9	22.3
2009	508	19.6	31	20.3	22.3
2010	527	20.0	45	27.2	22.3

See chart

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