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New data reveals that residents of Ulster County, New York, have a shorter life expectancy compared to the state average. Between 2020 and 2022, the average lifespan in Ulster County was 78.8 years, while the state average was 79.4 years. The report, released by the University of Wisconsin's Population Health Institute and the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, also highlights several health concerns for the county's residents.
Ulster County residents reportedly smoke, drink, and experience obesity at higher rates than the state average. In 2022, 14% of Ulster County's population reported smoking, compared to the statewide figure of 12%. Additionally, 23% of the county's population reported binge or excessive drinking, higher than the 20% statewide average. Obesity is also a concern, with 32% of Ulster County adults classified as obese, compared to the state average of 30%.
The county's health director, Eve Walter, acknowledges these challenges and is working to address them. Walter, an epidemiologist, is gathering more detailed health data to develop targeted interventions for specific communities within the county. She emphasized the importance of person-centered approaches and plans to use zip code-specific data to better address the needs of different areas.
The report also noted that 17% of Ulster County's population reported poor mental health for 14 or more days in the past month, and the county had 13 suicides between 2018 and 2022. Additionally, 13% of children in Ulster County live in poverty, and 22% live in single-family households.
Walter plans to have updated data from 2024 by the summer, which will help in refining strategies to improve the health outcomes of Ulster County residents.