key findings

Compared to U.S. rates, San Mateo County residents generally report lower prevalence of chronic conditions.

prevalence of chronic illness

• The 1998 San Mateo County Behavioral Risk Factor Survey found the following prevalence levels (the percentage of the population with a given condition at a single point in time) of selected chronic illness in San Mateo County among adults aged 18 and older: ⁶²⁰

diabetes

• The 1998 San Mateo County Behavioral Risk Factor Survey further addressed the prevalence of diabetes among adults in San Mateo County. The sample revealed 3.9% of the adult population with diabetes (excluding diabetes experienced only during pregnancy). This compares to a statewide prevalence of 5.6% and a national prevalence of 6.6%. ⁶²¹

   

   

  *  Of responding diabetics in San Mateo County, 21.5% state that they currently use insulin injections to control their condition. ⁶²²

  *  Most diabetics surveyed (53.1%) check their blood for glucose or sugar daily (one to four times a day). Another 18.5% check glucose levels less often, but at least once a week, and 13.4% never check them. The average is once a day. ⁶²³

  *  Roughly one-third of the diabetics surveyed (34.2%) say they were in their 50’s when they were first told they have diabetes. Another 18.5% were under 30, 23.7% were in their 30’s or 40’s, and 23.7% were aged 60 or older. (The average age in San Mateo County was 44 years old, compared  to 46 throughout California.) ⁶²⁴

  *  Only 28.2% of the diabetics surveyed has ever heard of "glycosylated hemoglobin" or hemoglobin  "A one C," a test used to measure how well their blood sugars are being controlled. It is recommended this test be performed every three months. ⁶²⁵

  *  Two-thirds (66.7%) of the diabetics surveyed reported that a health professional has checked their feet for sores or irritations at least once in the past year. It is recommended that this exam be performed at each physician visit. ⁶²⁶

ambulatory care sensitive (ACS) conditions

Ambulatory Care Sensitive conditions are those for which timely and adequate clinical preventive and primary care services might avoid hospitalization by:

1. Preventing the start of the illness or condition (an avoidable condition),
2. Controlling an acute episodic illness or condition (an acute condition), or
3. Managing a chronic disease or condition (a chronic condition).

The following chart outlines hospitalization rates for ACS conditions by diagnosis.

• Between 1992-93 and 1994-95, there have been both increases and decreases in hospitalization rates due to ACS diagnoses. The most notable percentage increases were in hospitalizations for invasive cervical cancer and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. The most notable decreases were for hypoglycemia and angina hospitalizations. ⁶²⁷

627   Healthy San Mateo 2000: Health Status Indicators. San Mateo County Department of Public Health. Summer 1998 Edition.