Leon
County, Florida
A Community
Description
Leon County Health Department Mission:
Prevent Disease, Promote Health
Leon County Health Department Vision:
Healthy People in a Healthy Leon
County
Leon County Government Mission
Statement:
Leon
County
Government is dedicated to preserving and enhancing the outstanding
quality of life which has made our community a desirable place to live,
work and raise our children. Through the provisions of cost effective
superior services, County Government will ensure the promotion of orderly
growth for the economic health and safety of its citizens.
-Tallahassee-Leon County Planning Department 2005 Statistical Digest.
History and Background
Leon County,
originally part of Escambia County and later a part of Gadsden County, was
created by the Territorial Legislature in 1824. Named for Ponce De Leon,
Leon County was one of the most populous and prosperous counties in
ante-bellum Florida.
Today, Leon County is
a diverse community rich with opportunities in business, education and
health care. The capital city of Florida, Tallahassee, the major city of
Leon County is home to all levels of government and home to many
Associations and their respective membership organizations. One of
Tallahassees primary industries is education. Tallahassee is home to two
major Universities, a Community College, and branch campuses of private
colleges.
Population
The population of Leon
County is approximately 245,000 (Leon County Government). The U.S. Census
Bureau reported the 2000 population to be 239,452. Population growth in
Leon County has been relatively stable over the last few decades (45,608
in the 1970's, 43,838 in the 1980's and 46,959 in the 1990's). Since 2000,
population growth has been ahead of historical averages, led by an
estimated net increase of 7,461 residents in 2003 and 8,396 in 2004.
More than one-third of
the population of Leon County is between the ages of 18 and 34 (second
highest rate in the
State behind Alachua County). At 8.4%, Leon County has the second lowest
Percentage of
population aged 65 and older (behind Union County, 7.8%). The 55-64 year
old age group increased by more than three times the County average annual
percentage population growth rate of 2.6% between 2000 and 2004 while the
80+ age group increased slightly more than twice the average annual
percentage growth rate for the population of Leon County.
Health Status- 2004 Data
Overall, the health
status indicators of the population of Leon County is equivalent to or
better than the state and peer counties with a few exceptions. The age
adjusted death rate for stroke is high, the case rate of STDs is high and
the infant mortality rate is high. The age adjusted death rate from CLRD
among whites is high as is the overall cancer rate for whites.
The top five leading
causes of death are cancer, heart disease, stroke, chronic lower
respiratory disease and diabetes. (Florida Department of Health CHARTS,
2004 3 Year Age Adjusted Death Rates)
Cancer Death Rates
The cancer death rate
among the white population is higher than that of the state
(195/100,000 vs. 173/100,000). The cancer death rate for the black
population in Leon County is lower than the state rate
(193/100,000 vs. 205/100,000.
Heart Disease Death
Rates
The heart disease
death rate for whites is lower than the state 9169/100,000 vs.
199/100,000 and for black the heart disease death rate is also lower
than the state black (220/100,000 vs. 266/100,000.
Stroke Death Rates
The stroke death rate
for whites is higher than the state white stroke death rate
49/100,000 vs.39/100,000) and the stroke death rate for blacks in Leon
County is higher than the state rate (110/100,000 vs.
75/100,000)
Chronic Lower
Respiratory Disease- CLRD
The death rate for
CLRD for whites is higher than the state (49/1000, 000 vs.
39/100,000). The CLRD death rate for black is much lower
than that of blacks for the state14/100,000 vs. 26/100,000.
Diabetes
The diabetes death
rate for whites in Leon County is slightly lower than the state
rate for whites (17/100,000 vs.18/100,000) and for blacks in Leon County
the diabetes death rate is also slightly lower than the
state (48/100,000 vs. 50/100,000).
Sexually
Transmitted Diseases
Leon
County has
high rates of STDs for all diseases reported including
Gonorrhea, Syphilis, and Chlamydia. The 3 year rates per 100,000 put Leon
County in the fourth quartile, the quartile with the highest rates in the
state.
Vaccine Preventable
Diseases
Vaccine preventable
disease case rates in Leon County are lower than that of the
state.
Infant Mortality,
Prenatal Care, and Low Birth Weight
Leon Countys white
infant mortality rate is 7.6/1,000 births, higher than the state rate of
5.7 and the black infant mortality rate for Leon County is 16.3 compared
to the state black rate of 13.1.
The percent of white
births with first trimester prenatal care in Leon County is higher than
the state (94% vs. 86) and for blacks in Leon County the percent of births
with first trimester care is 83% vs. 76% for the state.
The percent of white
births less than 2500 grams in Leon County is lower than the
state - 6 vs. the state rate of 7.2.
The percent of black
births less than 2500 grams in Leon County is similar to the
state percent -13.8 vs. the state rate of 13.0.
Behavioral Risk
Factors
The 2002 BRFS data
shows an overall good to excellent health status for the population of
Leon County. Only 16% of adults report to be current smokers. This rate is
lower than the state rate of 22% and much lower than surrounding county
population use which can be as high as 35%. A high percent of adults in
Leon do receive cancer screenings and cholesterol testing. A lower than
state percent report not engaging in moderate, regular or vigorous
physical activity. Slightly fewer adults in Leon County are overweight or
obese compared to the state.
Race
Leon
County's
population includes 62.5% non-Hispanic white, 31.0% non-Hispanic black,
3.8% of Hispanic origin and 2.7% of "other" races and ethnicities.
Poverty
The percent of the
total population living in poverty in Leon County is greater than that of
the state; 18.2% compared to 12.5%. However, the percent of families
living below poverty is 9.4%, similar to the state percent of 9.0. The
percent of the population under age 18 living in poverty is also
equivalent to the state 16% compared to 17% The unemployment rate for
Leon County is higher than the state, 8.3% compared to 5.6%. The
unemployment rate in Leon County and the City of Tallahassee declined in
both 2003 and 2004. These place of residence figures indicate a slight
increase in unemployment in 2004 for residents of unincorporated Leon
County. Initial claims for unemployment compensation have declined
considerably over the past two years (most notably when compared with an
increase for the state as a whole in 2004).
Employment and Income
The median household
income of $37,500 is similar to the state median household income of
$38,800. The percent of Leon Countys population over age 25 with a high
school diploma, 89% is much higher than the state percent of 79. Forty -
one percent (41%) of the population 25 years and over in Leon County has
attained a bachelor's degree or higher compared to the state rate of 22%.
According to the 2000
Census, Leon County continues to be the employment center for the region.
Ninety-five percent of employed Leon County residents work in Leon County.
A different situation is evident in the neighboring counties of Gadsden,
Wakulla and Jefferson (which along with Leon County comprise the
Tallahassee MSA) wherein almost fifty percent of employed residents travel
to Leon County for work. In both Wakulla and Jefferson counties, more
residents commute to Leon County for work than work in their county of
residence. This contrasts to the statewide average of 82.7% of residents
who work in their county of residence.
Education
Nearly 65,000 students
were enrolled in the fall semester 2004 at the three largest institutions
for higher learning in Leon County. Total enrollment at the three schools
has more than doubled since 1980.
Leon
County public
school enrollment continues to grow (up 33% over the twenty year period
1985-2004). The
dropout rate has averaged 3.4% over the most recent four school years
compared with 4.3% the
preceding four years.
Crime Index
From 2000 to 2004,
Leon County experienced a drop in total index crimes (violent crimes and
property crimes), down 34% compared with 14% for the state. The index rate
for violent crimes in Leon County has dropped 7.7% per year on average
since 2000 while property crimes have dropped 8.5% per year on average
over the same period.
Recreation and Exercise Opportunities
The Leon County and
Tallahassee area offer a wide variety of community resources including
arts and music, an extensive pubic library system, parks and recreation
facilities including gymnastics and aquatics programs for all ages. Leon
County has over 2,800 acres of community parks, boat landings, campgrounds
and greenways. There are three branches of the YMCA and a number of other
private fitness facilities.
Culture and Arts
In addition to the
music, art and theatre offerings from the Universities and the Community
College, there are several museums, theatre groups and dance
opportunities.
Public Transportation
The City of
Tallahassee sponsors the following public transportation services:
StarMetro
operates city bus
routes in Tallahassee, Florida, including campus shuttles at Florida State
University and Florida A&M University and Dial-a-Ride service for
seniors and disabled citizens and a variety of seasonal transit programs.
Dial-A-Ride provides
transportation throughout the city. Night and Sunday service is available.
To use Dial-A-Ride,
you must be determined to be disabled within the eligibility guidelines
established by the Americans With Disability (ADA), or be a senior citizen
60 years or older.
Medical Services and Emergency Medical
Services
There are two
hospitals in Leon County, both which serve the entire region including
surrounding counties, Tallahassee Memorial Regional Hospital and
Tallahassee Community Hospital. There are also numerous providers of
diagnostic and primary health care in the Leon County area.
The EMS Division and
the Leon County Sheriffs Office have worked cooperatively to improve
EMS dispatch services.
The County has upgraded the computer program designed to give pre-arrival
instructions in first aid and CPR, as well as provided additional medical
training to
dispatchers. In
addition, the County has installed an Automatic Vehicle Location system in
all EMS Division vehicles. The system identifies which ambulance is
closest to an emergency call.
The Computer Aided
Dispatch system has also been upgraded to improve functionality further
streamlining the dispatch process and improving response times.
The EMS division
provides clinical emergency medical services and transport to the citizens
and visitors of Leon County. Since the County launched the EMS system in
December 2003, the EMS team has provided the highest quality emergency
care available. The County continues to enhance this vital service.
Neighborhood and Community Services
The Neighborhood and
Community Services Department of the City of Tallahassee provides
affordable housing strategies; housing rehabilitation and relocation
activities; code enforcement for housing and property violations; human
service, neighborhood service, animal service and senior service programs
and assistance. Neighborhood and Community Services also manages the
Senior Center, the Lincoln and Smith-Williams service centers, and the
Animal Service Center.
Leon
County
government offers citizen participation through advisory groups and
committees on over fifty issues affecting quality of life in the county.
Issues range from low income housing, environmental protection, growth
management, senior issues and bicycle and pedestrian planning to animal
control, libraries, tax watch and tourist development. All information
about citizens committees is posted on the Leon County government website.
Uninsured Health Care Population
Nearly 8% of the
population of Leon County under age 65 or approximately 18,887 people is
believed to have no health insurance. This number is expected to double
over the next ten years. Listed below is a breakdown of the uninsured
target populations. The total target population excludes those over the
200% poverty level and children who are eligible for Healthy Kids
Insurance. (ACHA and MGT)
The following
summarizes the uninsured target population:
|
1999 non-elderly
uninsured estimate (Leon County) |
27,614 |
|
Less non-elderly
with income over 200% Federal Poverty Level (FPL) |
(10,162) |
|
Less kids in
families with income less that 200% FPL |
(4,347) |
|
Subtotal for
target population (1999) |
13,105 |
|
Current Estimated
Target Population for County Program |
13,105 |
On
Dec. 11, 2005 County Commissioners voted unanimously to fund the CareNet
Program as Leon County's healthcare delivery system for uninsured
residents. CareNet is a public and private sector collaboration (not a
health insurance plan) designed to deliver primary healthcare, as well as
specialty care services to uninsured residents. The primary purpose of the
CareNet Program is to expand access to primary care services for uninsured
and working families of Leon County. These services are provided by
Neighborhood Health Services, Bond Community Health Center, specialty
doctors of the We Care Network (sponsored by the Capital Medical Society),
the FAMU College of Pharmacy, Tallahassee Memorial HealthCare, Tallahassee
Community Hospital, and the Leon County Health Department.
In
addition the
We Care Network: a
network of 315 volunteer physicians sponsored by physicians of the Capital
Medical Society Foundation. The We Care Network works collaboratively with
other physicians, the Leon County Health Department (LCHD), Bond Community
Health Center (Bond CHC), Neighborhood Health Services (NHS), and both
local hospitals, laboratories and many other healthcare providers to
coordinate specialty care, surgery, follow-up diagnostics, laboratory
work, case management and x-ray requests for patients at and below 100% of
the federal poverty level.
Leon County Commissioners Top 7
Priorities for 2006
-
Law Enforcement
Merging the Tallahassee Police Dept and the Leon County Sheriffs Office
-
Uninsured Health
Care
-
Energy Conservation
-
Wakulla Springs
Protection
-
Woodville Library
Funding
-
Lake
Protection
-
Moving the North
Florida Fairgrounds to a new site
-
