U.S. Virgin Islands Women Health Information

Namita Nayyar (WF Team)

12 years ago

U.S. Virgin Islands Women Health Information

– Reported, April 02, 2012

The 58,000 women in the US Virgin Islands represent the smallest population group in all of the jurisdictions presented. The US Virgin Islands have nearly the lowest death rate of all jurisdictions for breast cancer, and ranks #2 in death rates for cancer. However, women in the Virgin Islands have nearly the highest rate of death for diabetes and coronary heart disease. Associated risk factors-percent no physical activity and percent obese-are among the worst of all jurisdictions presented. The Virgin Islands has the lowest percentages of women who smoke of all jurisdictions. The area fares poorly in several presented preventive care measures, particularly mammograms, colorectal cancer screenings, and dental visits. Only 71 percent of women in the Virgin Islands have health insurance, among the lowest percentages of all areas ranked.

Major causes of death among females (rate per 100,000) Total Females : 58,000

All Causes 546.3
Heart disease 185.1
Coronary heart disease 157.2
Total cancer 86.5
Breast cancer 15.8
Colorectal cancer 13.9
Stroke 39.6
Diabetes-related 134.5
Unintentional injuries 15.3

Health risk factors (percent) in U.S. Virgin Islands Women
Obesity( age 20 & over) 34.2%
Diagnosed high blood pressure 27.6%
No leisure-time physical activity 35.9%
Binge drinking 7.0%
Smoking currently 4.3%
Eats 5+ fruits and vegetables a day 30.9%

The Territory of the U.S. Virgin Islands, located in the Caribbean Sea, consists of three islands: St. Thomas, St. John, and St. Croix. The 2000 Census reports that the total population of the Virgin Islands is 108,612, with 52.2 percent female and 47.8 percent male. The median age is 33.4 years. The Virgin Islands reflect a Caribbean heritage, heavily influenced by American and Danish values blended with an African base and a large Hispanic presence, particularly from neighboring Puerto Rico. The demographics of the Virgin Islands is 76.2 percent black, 13.1 percent white, and 10.7 percent other. The Virgin Islands have one-third of their population below the poverty level. (Source: U.S. Census, 2000)

The U.S. Virgin Islands Department of Health addresses a range of health care needs, including heart disease, cancer, cardiovascular disease, and diabetes. The department approaches the Healthy People 2000 women’s health objectives through partnerships with the Virgin Islands Infant Mortality Review Panel, the Virgin Islands Alliance for Primary Care, the Women’s Coalition of St. Croix, the St. Thomas Family Resource Center, and many others. Ongoing challenges include AIDS, which became one of the leading causes of death in 1990, substance abuse, domestic violence, and teenage pregnancy.

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