ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

HEALTH BEHAVIOR RISKS

Obesity

Obesity is a significant health concern, with parishes like Washington (45%) and St. Helena (43%) having high adult obesity rates that exceed the state (39%) and national (34%) averages. Notably, parishes with limited access to exercise opportunities, such as St. Helena (4%) and Pointe Coupee (30%), show some of the highest obesity rates. This correlation underscores the need for policies promoting physical activity infrastructure and programs, particularly in rural areas.

    Exercise

    Access to locations for physical activity is starkly uneven. East Baton Rouge (96%) and West Baton Rouge (85%) have the highest access rates, correlating with their slightly lower obesity rates. By contrast, in St. Helena, where only 4% have adequate exercise access, obesity rates are significantly higher. This suggests a strong link between low physical activity options and higher obesity prevalence, emphasizing the need for more exercise facilities, trails, or parks in underserved parishes.

      Alcohol-Impaired Fatalities

      The rates of alcohol-impaired driving fatalities are alarming in parishes like Washington and St. Helena (44% each), nearly double the national rate of 26%. These high rates reflect significant public health and safety concerns, suggesting a need for stronger alcohol education, stricter enforcement of driving laws, and support programs for addiction treatment and prevention.

        Sexually Transmitted Disease

        High rates of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), particularly chlamydia, are observed in St. Helena (1,200.5 per 100,000) and Iberville (1113.2 per 100,000), well above the national average (495.5). Parishes with high income inequality, such as Pointe Coupee (7.9) and St. Helena (6.8), also report elevated STI rates 766.4 and 1200.5 respectively, which may result from limited access to healthcare, low educational attainment, and inadequate sexual health resources.