ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) – In a presentation Monday afternoon, a report delivered to the Roanoke City Council revealed that residents have worse health outcomes compared to the state and national average.

The Virginia Department of Health led the presentation during a city council meeting. They talked about how important the work they are doing is to try to improve public health.

Health outcomes reflect average life expectancy and the number of physical and mental health problems experienced by people in a community.

Roanoke City residents face a significantly shorter life expectancy than the state of Virginia and the national average. The average life expectancy in the City of Roanoke is just 71 years, compared to 78 years statewide and 79 years nationally.

The report outlined the leading causes of death among residents under the age of 75, identifying cancer, heart disease, accidental deaths (including drug overdoses), diabetes and COVID-19 as major contributors to the health crisis. health of the area.

Dr. Cynthia Murrow, a key figure in the report, addressed the council and emphasized the deep-seated factors contributing to these alarming statistics. “What we know about poor health is that in the United States poor health is associated with poverty, specifically taking into account income and, most importantly, education,” he explained. “Access to care can be really challenging, and this combination of factors often leads to health inequities, where some populations have worse health outcomes compared to others.”

The report suggests that lifestyle choices also contribute significantly to the health issues facing the city of Roanoke. Dr. Murrow noted that higher rates of smoking, obesity and low levels of physical activity are prevalent in the community. “If we’re talking about heart disease or cancer, we also need to look at what contributes to it,” he said. “Our advice is clear: if you smoke, now is the best time to quit. “We have a lot of supports available to help.”

Despite the statistics, Dr. Murrow highlighted ongoing efforts within the city to improve public health, particularly in areas like Melrose Plaza, where a new grocery store and wellness center could help address this issue by providing access to these services to an undeserved area.

“There are a lot of really good things happening and together (individuals, the city of Roanoke and the health department) we can make progress in health,” Dr. Murrow said. “

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