NOTEWORTHY
Lung cancer, smoking a problem in county
BY MARK HORNICKEL KENOSHA NEWS
Kenosha County leads southeastern Wisconsin counties in lung cancer rates and percentage of smokers according to a recent report by the Wisconsin Bureau of Health Information and Policy.
The Wisconsin Cancer Incidence and Mortality report shows Kenosha County’s average rate of lung cancer from 1998 to 2002 was 79.4 per 100,000 people.
Meanwhile, the average rate of lung cancer for surrounding counties included Milwaukee County’s 76.8, Racine County’s 76.7 and Walworth County at 67.9.
Kenosha County’s average rate for lung cancer is the 10th highest in the state.
Additionally, the Family Health Survey, in a random survey of residents in every county of the state, found Kenosha County residents had a higher percentage of smokers than surrounding counties during the same four-year period.
About 35 percent of Kenosha County residents said they were cigarette smokers, compared to 26 percent in Milwaukee County, 25 percent in Racine County and 25 percent i n W a l w o r t h C o u n t y . Statewide about 24 percent of the population said it smokes.
The data further illustrates the link between smoking and lung cancer, and the negative impacts it can have on a community, said Gary Brown, executive director of Kenosha Area Family & Aging Services.
“Most people today are very aware but when you see the numbers you see how we compare,” Brown said. “It raises lots of questions about how do we change this. It does have a very great financial impact from lung cancer to stroke and diseases related to smoking.”
Kenosha County’s large number of smokers also is a top reason the county has the highest hospitalization rates for stroke among adults aged 65 and over in the state, Brown said.
Data shows there were 23.7 stroke hospitalizations per 1,000 people aged 65 and over in Kenosha County in 2002. Stroke hospitalization rates for surrounding counties were Milwaukee County at 18.7, Racine County at 18.2, and Walworth County at 16.7.
The high rates can put a strain on programs, not just hospitals, too. Brown said his agency’s Meals On Wheels program receives daily referrals for people struggling to stay in their homes and fighting to maintain their health, largely because of issues caused by smoking.
Several more people are on waiting lists for other programs as well, and it’s a trend health officials have been watching, Brown said.
“The story is today we’re not really able to take care of everyone who needs assistance,” Brown said. “People need to be more conscientious of their health and they need to be more proactive about their behavior. It’s certainly one of those factors that people can change.”
