Ohio Cities Fare Poorly in Heart Healthy Cities for Women Ranking

The American Heart Association released the results of a study to calculate the heart healthiest cities in the United States for women (Source, "Go Red For Women Ranks America’s Most Heart Friendly Cities for Women," American Heart Association, May 19, 2008).  The BestPlaces organization conducted this study.  The study ranked the 200 largest metropolitan areas in the U.S. across 22 factors.  It divided these metropolitan areas into 3 categories: mega; mid-size; and all other.

The rationale for ranking cities on heart disease is that cardiovascular disease is the leading cause of death among women in the U.S.  According to the report, it affects one in three women, killing around 460,000 women per year or slightly less than one women per minute per day.  It accounts for more deaths than the next five causes of death combined, including cancer.

The factors assessed in this study fell into three categories: risk factors; health status; and heart disease statistics.  The factors included: • Cardiac mortality rates (for women, age-adjusted)  • Prescriptions for control of hypertension (per capita) • Prescriptions for control of high cholesterol (per capita) • Physician diagnoses of diabetes among women • Physician diagnoses of hypertension among women • Physician diagnoses of high cholesterol among women • Obesity (BMI, for women) • Smoking cigarettes (amongst women) • Alcohol use (amongst women) • Physicians in area (per capita) • Cardiologists in area (per capita) • State legislation for smoke-free workplaces and public places • Percent having a health plan (amongst women) • Percent that have the ability to afford health care (amongst women) • Percent having a recent routine checkups (amongst women) • Healthy eating (salads, fruits, vegetable servings per day, women) • Regular exercise amongst women • Commuting by bicycle or walking • Stress index • Teaching hospitals (per capita) • Hospital beds available (per capita) • Hospitals with emergency room • Fast food outlets (per capita)

According to this analysis, Columbus (6th), Cincinnati (7th), and Cleveland (9th) were among the top 10 least heart friendly mega metro areas (out of 38 mega metro areas).  In addition, Toledo was the fifth least heart friendly mid-size metro area in the U.S (or 45th out of 49 metro area).  Dayton ranked 35th out of 49, while Akron was 36th, and Youngstown was 41st for mid-size metro areas.

Not suprisingly given the rankings, several Ohio metro areas scored among the top three poorest performers on several indicators.  For example, Cincinnati had the worst rate of smoking, Columbus had the least amount of exercise, and, for highest hypertension diagnosis, Cleveland ranked 2nd worst and Cincinnati was 3rd worst.