RBC has highest recorded per-capita suicide rate in the state, nearly triple average
Public Health Department staff shared preliminary data gathered as part of a Community Health Assessment Plan (CHAP) the department is required to complete every five years. Based on more than 350 responses, RBC residents feel the top strengths of the community are:
- small town feel
- public lands
- safe community
- open spaces
By LUCAS TURNER | [email protected]om
The top health-related concerns in the community are, in order:
- Mental health
- Aging
- Substance use disorders
- Access to healthcare
- Obesity/overweight
Staff shared mental health statistics for Colorado, noting that in 2020 RBC had the highest recorded per-capita suicide rate in the state with 61.35 deaths per 100K compared to the state average of 22.3 per 100K.
The Public Health department expects to have data fully analyzed by December and will use the information to help develop “Public Health Improvement Plans.”
One of those plans includes methods for “harm reduction.” Public Health employee Kylee Gardner also presented information on harm-reduction programs and stated that they have been shown to lead to better outcomes for people dealing with substance abuse issues. Examples of better outcomes cited Tuesday included reductions in rates of accidental death, violent crime, HIV/hepatitis C spread and public overdose, among others. Staff said harm reduction programs also lead to more people seeking care and better long-term sobriety results versus traditional recovery methods. Studies have also shown that harm reduction can reduce costs to healthcare and justice systems.
Public health will meet with “High Rockies Harm Reduction” on Monday to scout locations in both Meeker and Rangely for their mobile Harm Reduction Program. Specific actions of the program include distributing narcan/naloxone, fentanyl test strips, sterile use equipment, first aid supplies and more. Overdose prevention education, healthcare/treatment referrals, legal aid, peer support and more also contribute towards safer use and better treatment/health outcomes for people who use substances and the broader community.
RSV, COVID, and BOOSTERS
RSV hospitalizations are occurring at a “alarming rate,” leading to low availability of pediatric ICU beds in the state. 95% of current RSV hospitalizations are for K-12 year olds. Staff indicated that Rio Blanco County generally runs three weeks behind the front range and said “it could be a bad RSV season.” Influenza rates are slightly above normal but more of a concern for the state broadly speaking. COVID rates are low. 78 people were hospitalized in CO in the last week, and 26 people died from COVID in the state. COVID booster vaccinations have slowed in RBC recently. Public health staff said the new boosters are effective against the current sub variants of omicron.
