Governor
Edward T. Schafer
State Health Officer
Jon R. Rice, M.D.
Produced by the North Dakota Department of Health
Editor: Alana Knudson-Buresh
Graphics: Leona Kuntz
Published: May 1996
This publication is also available in other formats.
N.D. Department of Health 600 E. Boulevard Avenue Bismarck, N.D. 58505-0200 (701) 328-2845 telephone (701) 328-4727 fax |
alknudso@.state.nd.us
http://www.health.state.nd.us
The North Dakota Department of Health has worked to develop systems of data collection that support its public health role. This report is the first of a progressive series aimed at empowering the public and decision makers in their quest to improve the health of North Dakota's citizens.
The indicators in this report primarily address the question: How healthy are we? More than 100 health indicators were examined. The indicators reported were selected because they include a broad range of conditions with many different causes, prevention strategies, and treatment methods. Goals from Healthy People 2000 are included to compare North Dakota's progress with the nation.
Information pertaining to the expenditures of health care services
is presented to provide an indication of what North Dakota spends
on health care services. Expenditures for health care services
have historically reflected "illness" care in which the patient
sought care after he or she developed an illness. Today's health
care providers are promoting the use of "health" care that includes
an emphasis on preventive services such as mammograms and blood
pressure screenings. The citizens of North Dakota will benefit
from this trend in the long term.
We hope that people who are interested in public health will use
the data in this report to improve public health services for
the people of North Dakota. Strengthening public health entails
a joint effort between the public and private sectors. The Department
is committed to fostering a public/private link in all public
health efforts from data collection to program development. We
express our great appreciation to all those who contributed to
the publication of this report.
We continue to strive for a public health community that clearly
assesses the needs of North Dakota's citizens, designs and develops
policies to deal with those needs, and ensures that solutions
achieve their desired ends. It is our goal that all of North Dakota's
citizens be healthy by the year 2000!
Sincerely,
Jon R. Rice, M.D.
State Health Officer