Overview of
Current Data:
City of Fall River
Prepared for the Healthy Cities Design Team
January 24, 2003
Susan Linn Bershefsky
Grant Writer
City of Fall River
One Government Center
Fall River, MA 02722
(508) 324-2662
grantwriter@fallriverma.org
Table of Contents
General Demographics |
2-5 |
|
|
U. S. Census Bureau Statistics 2000 |
2-5 |
|
Sex & Age |
2 |
|
Race |
3 |
|
Relationship |
4 |
|
Households by Type |
4 |
|
Housing Occupancy |
4 |
|
Housing Tenure |
5 |
|
Equalized Property Valuations |
5 |
Healthy People 2010 Indicators |
5-15 |
|
|
<1. Physical Activity |
5-6 |
|
2. Weight |
6 |
|
3. Tobacco Use |
6-7 |
|
4. Substance Abuse |
7-8 |
|
5. Sexual Behavior and Infectious Diseases |
9 |
|
6. Mental Health |
10 |
|
7. Injury/Violence |
11-14 |
|
8. Environmental Quality |
14-15 |
|
9. Immunization (no data included) |
15 |
|
10. Health Insurance |
15 |
Other Indicators |
15-22 |
|
|
Poverty |
16 |
|
High School Graduation & Education |
16-19 |
|
Early Detection of Cancer |
20 |
|
Disability |
20 |
|
Chronic Disease |
21 |
|
Dental Health |
22 |
|
References |
22-24 |
Profile of General Demographic Characteristics: 2000
Data Set: Census 2000 Summary File 1 (SF 1) 100-Percent Data
Geographic Area: Fall River city, Massachusetts
Subject |
Number |
Percent |
Total population |
91,938 |
100.0 |
SEX AND AGE |
||
Male |
42,953 |
46.7 |
Female |
48,985 |
53.3 |
Under 5 years |
5,846 |
6.4 |
5 to 9 years |
6,483 |
7.1 |
10 to 14 years |
6,229 |
6.8 |
15 to 19 years |
5,834 |
6.3 |
20 to 24 years |
6,214 |
6.8 |
25 to 34 years |
14,322 |
15.6 |
35 to 44 years |
13,061 |
14.2 |
45 to 54 years |
10,772 |
11.7 |
55 to 59 years |
4,298 |
4.7 |
60 to 64 years |
3,307 |
3.6 |
65 to 74 years |
6,957 |
7.6 |
75 to 84 years |
6,294 |
6.8 |
85 years and over |
2,321 |
2.5 |
Median age (years) |
35.7 |
|
18 years and over |
69,759 |
75.9 |
65 years and over |
15,572 |
16.9 |
(continued) |
RACE |
||
One race |
||
White |
89,593 |
97.4 |
Black or African American |
2,283 |
2.5 |
American Indian and Alaska Native |
172 |
0.2 |
Asian |
1,987 |
2.2 |
Asian Indian |
154 |
0.2 |
Chinese |
216 |
0.2 |
Filipino |
69 |
0.1 |
Japanese |
26 |
0.0 |
Korean |
31 |
0.0 |
Vietnamese |
99 |
0.1 |
Other Asian |
1,392 |
1.5 |
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander |
25 |
0.0 |
Native Hawaiian |
5 |
0.0 |
Guamanian or Chamorro |
3 |
0.0 |
Samoan |
1 |
0.0 |
Other Pacific Islander |
16 |
0.0 |
Some other race |
1,311 |
1.4 |
Two or more races |
2,345 |
2.6 |
HISPANIC OR LATINO AND RACE |
||
|
|
|
Hispanic or Latino (of any race) |
3,040 |
3.3 |
White alone |
82,274 |
89.5 |
Not Hispanic or Latino |
88,898 |
96.7 |
(continued) |
||
RELATIONSHIP |
||
Total population |
91,938 |
100.0 |
In households |
90,047 |
97.9 |
Spouse |
15,613 |
17.0 |
Child |
27,611 |
30.0 |
HOUSEHOLDS BY TYPE |
||
Total households |
38,759 |
100.0 |
Family households (families) |
23,558 |
60.8 |
With own children under 18 years |
11,608 |
29.9 |
Married-couple family |
15,613 |
40.3 |
With own children under 18 years |
6,602 |
17.0 |
Female householder, no husband present |
6,391 |
16.5 |
Nonfamily households |
15,201 |
39.2 |
Households with individuals under 18 years |
12,467 |
32.2 |
Households with individuals 65 years and over |
10,949 |
28.2 |
Average household size |
2.32 |
|
Average family size |
3.00 |
|
|
Total housing units |
100.0 |
Occupied housing units |
38,759 |
92.6 |
Vacant housing units |
3,098 |
7.4 |
For seasonal, recreational, or occasional use |
100 |
0.2 |
Homeowner vacancy rate (percent) |
1.4 |
|
Rental vacancy rate (percent) |
6.7 |
|
(continued) |
||
HOUSING TENURE |
||
Occupied housing units |
38,759 |
100.0 |
Owner-occupied housing units |
13,521 |
34.9 |
Renter-occupied housing units |
25,238 |
65.1 |
Equalized Property Valuations
Municipality |
EPV Per Capita - 2000 |
State Rank (of 351) |
Brockton |
$35,319 |
336 |
Fall River |
$31,223 |
345 |
Lawrence |
$20,134 |
351 |
Lowell |
$29,728 |
347 |
Lynn |
$33,743 |
339 |
New Bedford |
$30,137 |
346 |
Somerville |
$49,797 |
292 |
Springfield |
$27,994 |
350 |
Worcester |
$34,812 |
337 |
Average |
$32,543 |
The following 10 indicators were selected for inclusion in this report because they are the "Leading Health Indicators for Healthy People 2010". Federal definitions follow each indicator.
Percentage of Adults Who Were Regularly Physically Active
Fall River CHNA |
Massachusetts |
2010 Target |
26.8% |
31% |
30% |
Data from 1994-1999 BRFSS Survey.
The percentage of adults who participated in any leisure-time physical activity in the past month in the Greater Fall River CHNA was significantly lower than the state average.
2. Weight:
Percentage of population whose body mass index is no more than 20% lower and no more than 20% higher than that recommended for their age and genderPercentage of Adults Who Are Overweight
Fall River CHNA |
Massachusetts |
U.S. Baseline |
2010 Target |
28% |
26% |
30.3% |
15% |
Data for CHNA, Massachusetts and US Baseline from BRFSS 1994-1999.
The difference between Fall River and Massachusetts is not statistically significant.
Fruits and Vegetables Consumption
|
Year |
Number |
CHNA % |
MA % |
US % |
HP2000 % ob-jectives |
Consumed 5 or more servings of fruits and vegetables/day |
94, 96, 98 |
582 |
24.9 |
29.1 |
23.6 |
50 |
Fall River Youth Risk Behavior Survey
Have you ever smoked cigarettes regularly, that is, at least one cigarette per day for 30 days?
18.8% YES 78.7% NO 2.5% No Answer
Percentage of Adults Who Currently Smoke
Fall River CHNA |
Massachusetts |
U.S. Baseline |
2010 Target |
27.5% |
21.2% |
22.9 |
12% |
Data from BRFSS 1994-1999
The number of adults who smoke in the Fall River CHNA is significantly higher than the overall Massachusetts rate, while the number of adults who smoke in the Cape & Islands CHNA is lower than the overall Massachusetts rate.
Percentage of Adults who report binge drinking in previous month
Fall River CHNA |
Massachusetts |
U.S. Baseline |
2010 Target |
11.0% |
17.9% |
14.4 |
6% |
Data from BRFSS 1994-1999
Drinking and Driving
Fall River CHNA |
MA |
|
Drove after drinking in past month |
2.0% |
2.70% |
Socio-Demographic Characteristic of Admissions to Publicly Funded Substance Abuse Treatment by CHNA of Residence
Primary Drug |
Fall River |
Massachusetts |
|
N |
% |
% |
|
Alcohol |
1466 |
33 |
48 |
Heroin |
2419 |
54 |
35 |
Cocaine |
176 |
4 |
4 |
Crack |
64 |
1 |
4 |
Marijuana |
235 |
5 |
6 |
Other |
96 |
2 |
3 |
Total |
2673 |
100 |
100 |
Substance Abuse Indicators: Fall River
|
Area |
Area |
State |
Admissions to DPH funded treatment programs |
3,560 |
3872.2 |
1900.9 |
Injection drug user admissions to DPH funded treatment program |
1,771 |
1926.3 |
521.9 |
Alcohol and other drug related hospital discharges |
252 |
278.1 |
324.3 |
|
Area |
Area |
State |
Alcohol and other drug use deaths |
40 |
47.0 |
20.4 |
Crude rates are expressed per 100,000 persons. Age adjusted rates are expressed per 100,000 persons.
5. Sexual Behavior & Infectious Diseases
Births to Adolescent Mothers (1999) Number / % of All Births
Fall River |
State |
152/13.9% |
6.9% |
Rate of Chlamydia trachomatis infections, ages 15 – 19
Fall River |
Massachusetts Rate: |
43 Cases 771.4 per 100,000 |
699.7 per 100,000 |
Infectious Disease: Fall River
|
Area |
Area |
State |
Newly diagnosed AIDS cases |
10 |
11.0 |
13.9 |
Persons alive with AIDS |
91 |
100.4 |
110.2 |
AIDS and HIV-related deaths |
5 |
5.4 |
3.6 |
Tuberculosis |
NA |
NA |
4.5 |
Pertussis |
13 |
14.1 |
21.5 |
Acute Hepatitis-B |
NA |
NA |
0.3 |
Syphilis |
NA |
NA |
6.6 |
Gonorrhea |
20 |
21.8 |
43.7 |
Chlamydia |
138 |
150.1 |
158.5 |
|
Area |
Area |
State |
Syphilis, ages 15-19 |
0 |
0.0 |
2.2 |
Gonorrhea, ages 15-19 |
NA |
NA |
155.6 |
Chlamydia, ages 15-19 |
56 |
959.9 |
763.9 |
Crude rates are expressed per 100,000 persons. Age-specific rates are expressed per 100,000 persons in the specific age group.
6. Mental Health
Adult Suicide Rate 1999
|
Fall River |
Massachusetts |
Suicide Rate per 100,000 |
11.1 |
6.7 |
Durfee High School Students:
Is there at least one teacher or other adult in this school that you could talk to if you had a problem?
Yes |
No |
Not Sure |
No Answer |
61% |
24.4% |
12.7% |
2.0% |
Outside of school, is there an adult(s) you can talk to about things that are important to you?
Yes; parent/family member |
Yes; non-family adult |
Yes; both A & B |
No |
Not sure |
No answer |
37.3% |
8.6% |
36.9% |
8.9% |
63.9% |
1.4% |
During the past 12 months, did you ever feel so sad or helpless almost every day for two weeks or more in a row that you stopped doing some usual activities?
Yes |
No |
No Answer |
29.1% |
68.8% |
2.1% |
During the past 12month, did you ever seriously consider attempting suicide?
Yes |
No |
No Answer |
18.1% |
79.8% |
2.1% |
7. Injury/Violence :
Injury Indicators: Fall River
|
Area |
Area |
State |
Motor vehicle related injury deaths |
9 |
9.5 |
7.6 |
Suicide |
3 |
3.5 |
6.2 |
Homicide |
0 |
5.8 |
2.0 |
Age adjusted rates are expressed per 100,000 persons.
Rate of deaths from Motor Vehicle accidents is higher in the Cape & Islands and Fall River CHNAs than in Massachusetts as a whole.
1997 Violence Related Gunshot and Sharp Instrument Wounds
Fall River |
Massachusetts Rate |
55 Incidents; 59.4 per 100,000 |
27.1 per 100,000 |
Fall River Durfee High Schools Students Responses to the Youth Risk Behavior Survey 2001
When you rode a motorcycle during the past 12 months, how often did you wear a helmet? |
||||||
I did not ride |
Never |
Rarely |
Sometimes |
Mostly |
Always |
No Answer |
75.5% |
5.5% |
2.3% |
0.7% |
1.6% |
13.1% |
1.2% |
When you rode a bicycle during the past 12 months, how often did you wear a helmet? |
||||||
I did not ride |
Never |
Rarely |
Sometimes |
Mostly |
Always |
No Answer |
31.9% |
53.9% |
4.6% |
3.7% |
2.3% |
3.0% |
0.6% |
How often do you wear a seatbelt when riding in a car driven by someone else? |
||||||
Never |
Rarely |
Sometimes |
Mostly |
Always |
No Answer |
|
12.2% |
12.7% |
19.2% |
25.6% |
29.8% |
0.5% |
|
(Continued) |
||||||
During the past 30 days, how many times did you ride in a car or other vehicle driven by someone who had been drinking alcohol? |
||||||
0 times |
1 time |
2 or 3 times |
4 or 5 times |
6 or more times |
No answer |
|
70.4% |
10.8% |
6.9% |
3.4% |
7.4% |
1.0% |
|
During the past 30 days, how many times did you drive a car or other vehicle when you had been drinking alcohol? |
||||||
0 times |
1 time |
2 or 3 times |
4 or 5 times |
6 or more times |
No answer |
|
86.8% |
4.6% |
3.3% |
2.1% |
2.3% |
0.9% |
|
During the past 30 days, on how many days did you carry a weapon such as a gun, knife, or club? |
||||||
0 days |
1 day |
2 or 3 days |
4 or 5 days |
6 or more days |
No answer |
|
82.8% |
3.4% |
4.2% |
1.4% |
5.9% |
2.3% |
Crime
Fall River Crime Rates (2000 FBI Uniform Crime Reports)
Crimes per 100,000 population Natl. average Fall River, MA Boston, MA
Population 114,967 93,106 570,888
Violent crimes 506.1 588.6 1,282.6
Property crimes 3,617.9 3,307.0 5,000.7
Murder 5.5 0.0 6.8
Forcible rape 32.0 41.9 56.9
Robbery 144.9 160.0 429.3
Aggravated assault 323.6 386.7 789.5
Burglary 728.4 839.9 709.6
Larceny-theft 2,475.3 1,991.3 3,017.8
Motor vehicle theft 414.2 475.8 1,273.3
Arson 32.2 n/a n/a
|
Intimate Partner Violence
|
Intimate Partner Abuse, Past 12 Months Women Ages 18-59 |
Fall River/New Bedford |
6.5% |
Massachusetts |
5.5% |
Relationship Violence among Youth –Durfee High School Students Responses to the 2001 Youth Risk Behavior Survey
Have you ever been hurt physically or sexually by a date or someone you were going out with? (All students) |
|||||
I have never been out …. |
No |
Yes, physically |
Yes, sexually |
Both ways |
No answer |
19.3% |
68.2% |
6.2% |
2.3% |
3.3% |
0.0% |
Have you ever been hurt physically or sexually by a date or someone you were going out with? (12th grade female responses only) |
|||||
7.3% |
78.2% |
12.7% |
0.0% |
1.8% |
Juvenile Arrests – 1994-2000
Year |
Arrests |
1994 |
1,025 |
1995 |
899 |
1996 |
954 |
1997 |
1,065 |
1998 |
918 |
1999 |
567 |
2000 |
649 |
2001 |
949 |
The 949 arrests in 2001 represent an 8% decrease in juvenile arrests since 1994.
Durfee High School Students’ Self-Reported Gang Involvement – 2001 Youth Risk Behavior Survey
Are you involved in a gang?
Yes |
No |
No Answer |
10.2% |
87.1% |
2.7% |
Premature Mortality Due to Particulate Air Pollution in 239 American Cities: New Bedford-Fall River, MA
PM-10* Concentration |
|||
|
1990-1994 Average Annual Mean: |
19.3 |
|
|
Rank by PM-10 Concentration: |
227 |
of 239 |
Mortality Attributable to Air Pollution |
|||
|
Risk Ratio for Cardiopulmonary Mortality: |
1.03 |
|
|
Adult Cardiopulmonary Attributable Deaths: |
64 |
(38-90) |
|
Attributable Deaths per 100,000 Population: |
13 |
|
|
Rank by Number of Attributable Deaths: |
150 |
of 239 |
|
Rank Attributable Death Rate: |
217 |
of 239 |
*PM-10 is particulate matter 10 microns or smaller in diameter. Concentrations are reported in ug/m³
A Comparison of PM-10 Concentrations in Fall River with National Standards
Location |
Average |
Annual Mean PM-10 Concentration: National Ambient Air Quality Standards: |
Annual Mean PM-10 Concentration: NRDC** Recommended Standards |
Fall River |
19.6 |
50 |
17 |
*PM-10 is particulate matter 10 microns or smaller in diameter. Concentrations are reported in ug/m³
**National Resources Defense Council
Water Quality:
According to the Wattupa Water Board, the Fall River Water Department produces an annual "Consumer Confidence Report" on the quality of the drinking water supplied to the City. Furthermore, each day both the raw water supply and the finished water produced is tested against a battery of standards. In every category of analysis, both the city’s raw and finished water meet or exceed all State and Federal Safe Drinking Water parameters.
Lead poisoning
|
Area |
Area |
State |
Lead poisoning cases (blood lead levels greater than or equal to 25 µg/dL in children ages 6 mos - 5 yrs) |
1 |
0.2 |
0.8 |
(No data available at time of report.)
10. Health insurance:
Percentage of population under age 65 who report that they currently have health insurance coveragePercentage of Adults without Health Insurance
Fall River CHNA |
Massachusetts |
U.S. Baseline |
2010 Target |
11.4% |
9.2% |
12.5% |
0% |
Data from BRFSS 1994-1999
Health Access and Utilization
|
Year |
Number |
CHNA |
MA |
Routine checkup more than 5 years ago |
94-99 |
1149 |
8.2% |
5.9% |
Wanted to see doctor but could not because of cost |
94-99 |
1163 |
9.3% |
8.1% |
OTHER INDICATORS
Percentage of population within household incomes less than 100% of the federal poverty limitPoverty/Demographic Information, CHNA Health Indicators Report
Fall River |
State |
|
Per Capita Income |
$10,966 |
$17,224 |
Population below 100% of poverty level |
14.3% |
8.9% |
Population below 200% of poverty level |
36.7% |
21% |
Children less than 18 years of age living below 100% of poverty line |
21.7% |
13.2% |
Person’s 65 years and older |
17.8% |
13.7% |
Economic data indicates that Fall River residents have among the lowest average incomes in MA. Additional indicators of the community’s high degree of low socioeconomic status residents:
High school graduation & Education:
Percentage of population ages 18 to 24 who have completed high schoolDrop-Out Rate. While the BMC Durfee High School dropout rate has declined, 27% of our students do not pursue the traditional path of graduation. Furthermore, despite improvements, the chart below shows that our dropout rate is significantly higher than the statewide rate while the attendance rate is significantly lower. Also troubling is the increase in the percentage of chronically absent students.
Dropout and Attendance 1999
|
% of Fall River |
% of MA |
Dropout Rate |
5.2 |
3.6 |
Attendance Rate |
91.8 |
94.4 |
Plans of Graduates.
Seventy percent (70.0%) of the BMC Durfee High School Class of 2001 planned to further their education. This compares to 51.4% of graduates who planned to further their education in 1984. (This percentage includes graduates attending two- and four-year colleges, business schools, and technical schools.)Plans of High School Graduates 1999
|
% of Fall River District |
% of MA State |
Four-Year College |
31.1 |
52.8 |
Two-Year College |
33.3 |
20.6 |
Work |
20.7 |
16.0 |
MCAS Scores
Six MCAS tests have been administered since 1998 and one has been administered since 1999. Fall River’s score on these tests increased by 46 points since the baseline year of 1995.
MCAS Charts for Fall River
Comparison of Percentages of Fall River District to Statewide Students Scoring in "Needs Improvement" and "Failing" Ranges on the 2000 Massachusetts Comprehensive Assessment Examination
|
Grade 4 |
Grade 8 |
Grade 10 |
||||||
|
Fall River |
MA |
Differ-ence |
Fall River |
MA |
Differ-ence |
Fall River |
MA |
Differ-ence |
English Language Arts |
94 |
77 |
+17 |
67 |
39 |
+28 |
79 |
64 |
+15 |
Mathematics |
81 |
50 |
+31 |
92 |
67 |
+25 |
85 |
67 |
+18 |
Science/ Technology |
60 |
37 |
+23 |
85 |
64 |
+21 |
90 |
74 |
+16 |
SAT Scores
The total SAT scored of Durfee High School students have increased by 15 points from 1995 to 2001. Verbal scores have increased by four points and math scores have increased be eleven points over this period. However, although the percentage of BMC Durfee students taking the SAT has increased by five percentage points from t1995, the percentage taking the SAT in Fall River (46%) is lower than the state average (69%), the average of similar communities (54%), and the aspirant community average (79%). Furthermore, while the combined SAT scores of Durfee students have increased by 15 points, Fall River’s SAT scores for the Class of 2001 are 95 points lower than the state average.
Educational Attainment of Fall River residents
Location |
0-8 yrs of school |
%of Pop. w/No High School Diploma |
%H.S. Grads w/o College Experience |
%Some College/Assoc. |
% w/ Bach Degree of Higher |
|
Fall River |
33.1% |
53.3% |
23.9% |
14.3% |
8.4% |
|
MA |
8.0% |
20.0% |
29.7% |
23.0% |
27.2% |
Early detection of cancer:
Cancer Screening
|
Year |
Number |
CHNA % |
MA % |
US % |
HP2000 % objectives |
Breast Cancer Screening |
||||||
Had mammogram in last two years |
94-99 |
387 |
82.7 |
78.9 |
|
|
Received clinical breast exam in the past year |
94-99 |
383 |
72.3 |
72.5 |
|
|
Cervical Cancer Screening |
||||||
Had a Pap-smear within the last three years |
94-99 |
581 |
82.5 |
86.2 |
85.5 |
85 |
Colorectal Screening |
||||||
Ever had a proctoscopic exam |
95,97, 99 |
304 |
27.0 |
31.5 |
40.5 |
40 |
Disability:
Average number of days per year lost to school, work, homemaking, and other social roles (e.g., volunteering) for a defined population.Disability and Limitations
|
With Disability or Limitation |
With Disability or Limitation AND Need Help with Activities |
Fall River/New Bedford |
22.1% |
8.2% |
Massachusetts |
16.4% |
4.8% |
Chronic Disease Indicators: Fall River
|
Area |
Area |
State |
Total deaths (all causes) |
1,159 |
942.8 |
814.0 |
Total cancer deaths |
278 |
235.6 |
206.6 |
Lung cancer deaths |
78 |
69.9 |
56.1 |
Breast cancer deaths |
15 |
19.9 |
26.9 |
Cardiovascular disease deaths |
459 |
351.9 |
287.3 |
Age adjusted rates are expressed per 100,000 persons.
Chronic Conditions/Preventive Health
|
Year |
Num-ber |
CHNA % |
MA % |
US % |
HP 2000 % object-tives |
Hypertension Awareness |
||||||
Had blood pressure checked within the last 2 years |
95, 97, 99 |
576 |
95.9 |
95.5 |
94.3 |
|
Ever told had high blood pressure |
95, 97, 99 |
575 |
29.2 |
21.6 |
22.7 |
|
Cholesterol Screening |
||||||
Had cholesterol checked in last 5 years |
95, 97, 99 |
563 |
75.6 |
75.5 |
69.7 |
75 |
Ever had high cholesterol |
95, 97, 99 |
421 |
36.8 |
28.3 |
|
|
Diabetes |
||||||
Ever told had diabetes |
94-99 |
1162 |
6.1 |
4.3 |
4.8 |
2.5 |
Health Status |
||||||
Reported Health was fair or poor |
94-99 |
1158 |
15.2 |
11.5 |
12.9 |
|
Prevented from usual activities by poor physical/mental health |
94-99 |
1152 |
5.1 |
4.7 |
|
|
Dental Health
Dental Health
|
Dental Visit in Past Year |
6+ Teeth Missing from Disease |
Fall River/New Bedford |
61.5% |
27.2% |
Massachusetts |
76.8% |
17.8% |
US Median |
68.1% |
10.9% |