Community Health
Many factors contribute to citizens’ physical health in the
City of Racine. Preventing the spread of communicable disease through vaccinations
and other measures helps the citizens of Racine to be healthier and more
productive. Understanding where improvements can be made allows for
concentrating economic resources in areas that will deliver the greatest
results for the community. This section contains information on demographics,
chronic diseases, communicable diseases, sexually-transmitted infections, prevention, and other factors
affecting health.
Source:
U.S. Census Bureau
Age demographics in the City of Racine show an
approximately even distribution of age groups, except for a smaller proportion of
elderly residents.
Obesity/Sedentary Lifestyle
Sources:
Centers for Disease Control and
County Health Rankings & Roadmaps
There is a larger percentage of overweight and obese people in the City of Racine than in Racine County, the state of Wisconsin, and the U.S. overall.
Sources:
2017 Racine City Community Health Survey Report,
2017 Central Racine County Community Health Survey Report,
County Health Rankings, and
Centers for Disease Control.
City of Racine residents are the least likely to meet physical activity guidelines of 150 minutes of moderate exercise per week, while Racine County residents are the most likely (48% and 57%, respectively).
Chronic Conditions
Source:
2017 Racine City Community Health Survey Report
In 2017, most people with chronic diseases reported their conditions were generally well controlled through medication, diet, and lifestyle changes. Those with mental health conditions reported the worst results, at 73%. Moreover, 27% of City of Racine residents reported to have high blood pressure in 2017, while 10% have diabetes, and 17% have asthma.
Source:
2017 Racine City Community Health Survey Report
Preventative procedures are important to overall health by identifying diseases in early stages, which results in lower treatment costs and higher quality of life for individuals. City of Racine residents had recommended procedures performed at rates higher than, or equal to, populations in both Wisconsin and the United States in 2017.
Source:
Wisconsin Department of Health Services
During 2020, heart diseases and cancer were among the leading causes of death in Racine County, preceded by other causes which jumped from 3rd to 1st on the list since 2017.
Communicable Diseases
Source: City of Racine Public Health Department
Hepatitis B accounted for the highest prevalence of communicable diseases during 2021, with .39 cases for every 1,000 City residents. There were no reported cases of measles or mumps.
Sources: City of Racine Public Health Department,
Wisconsin Department of Health Services, and
Centers for Disease Control.
The rate of new cases of HIV reported in the City of Racine increased in 2017 after three years of decline. The city has an incidence rate higher than Racine County, the State of Wisconsin, and the United States.
Sources: City of Racine Public Health Department,
Central Racine County Health Department,
Wisconsin Department of Health Services, and
Centers for Disease Control.
The rate of sexually transmitted infections in the City of Racine has consistently remained much higher than the rest of Racine County, State of Wisconsin, and the United States.
Source: City of Racine Public Health Department
The highest incidence of chlamydia consistently occur in persons 20-29 years old. While the number of cases has been fluctuating from year to year, the proportion of cases in each age group remains nearly the same.
Source: City of Racine Public Health Department
Individuals aged
20-29 had the highest number of gonorrhea infections in the City of Racine during 2021.
Sources: City of Racine Public Health Department,
Wisconsin Department of Health Services, and
Centers for Disease Control
Since 2017, nearly all rates of pertussis (whooping cough) have been decreasing. The U.S. still has a higher rate than all the others but has closed the gap significantly in recent years.
Sources: City of Racine Public Health Department,
Wisconsin Department of Health Services, and
Centers for Disease Control.
Although relatively
low, the City of Racine's rate of tuberculosis infection has been consistently
higher than both Racine County and the State of Wisconsin, except during 2021 when no cases of tuberculosis were reported for the city.
Infant Mortality
Sources:
Wisconsin Department of Health Services
The number of infant
deaths in the City of Racine shows a consistent trend of remaining higher than the average infant mortality rate in
Racine County, the State of Wisconsin, and the U.S.
Women's Health
Sources:
2017 Racine City Community Health Survey Report,
2017 Central Racine County Community Survey Report,
Centers for Disease Control, and
National Cancer Institute.
A smaller percentage of women in the City of Racine underwent recommended health screenings than in other regions. In 2017, fewer than half of eligible women in Racine had an HPV test within the previous five years (47%).
Source:
Wisconsin Department of Health Services
The teen pregnancy rate has fallen in
the last few years for the City of Racine. It remains much higher than the rates for
Racine County, the State of Wisconsin, and the U.S.
Children's Health
Source:
2017 Racine City Community Health Survey Report
Parents reported in 2017 that 99% of children always or often feel safe in their neighborhood, although 13% of children experienced some form of bullying during the previous 12 month period. Most children also received preventative health care (85%), which is important for healthy growth and development.
Sources:
Wisconsin Department of Health Services and
Centers for Disease Control.
Completion of the 7-series vaccines rate for the City of Racine are decreasing over time and down nine percent in just three years.
Oral Health
Sources:
2017 Racine City Community Health Survey Report,
Wisconsin Department of Health Services, and
Centers for Disease Control.
Oral health is an important component of overall physical health. Poor oral health can lead to tooth and gum diseases, and may contribute to additional health problems. In 2017, only 57% of City of Racine residents reported having a dental checkup in the previous year.
Violent Crime
Source:
FBI Violent Crime statistics
Violent crime is defined as murder,
non-negligent manslaughter, forcible rape, robbery, and aggravated assault. The City of Racine has a higher rate of violent crime than Racine County, the State of Wisconsin, and the U.S. The rates remained relatively stable until 2017, when City of Racine saw a significant increase. Shortly after the rest of Racine County began spiking upwards in 2019 bringing all rates close to each other.
Source:
2017 Racine City Community Health Survey Report
In 2017, three percent of City of Racine residents reported either feeling afraid for their personal safety or that they had been pushed, kicked, slapped or hit.