Chronic Diseases Data
Chronic diseases are conditions that a person may live with for many years or a lifetime. Chronic diseases can lead to early death, decreased quality of life, and increased personal healthcare spending.
In 2017, we updated the 2015 Central Oregon Regional Health Assessment (RHA) with new data. This page provides an overview of updated data on chronic diseases. Please read through the information below, or download the chronic diseases overview handout from the supporting documents section at the bottom of the page.
You can find additional data related to chronic diseases, as well as information on a variety of other health topics in the Regional Health Assessment Midpoint Update document.
Age adjusted percent of adults with asthma (CLICK FOR LARGER IMAGE)
Many chronic diseases, including asthma, are monitored using data from the Oregon Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Around 10% of adults in Deschutes County have asthma. Since the 2015 RHA was published, the percentage of adults who reported a diagnosis of asthma increased in Jefferson County.
Prevalence of diabetes (CLICK FOR LARGER IMAGE)
The prevalence of diabetes in our community is also monitored through Oregon BRFSS. Around 5% of Deschutes County adults have diabetes, which is lower than the prevalence in Crook and Jefferson Counties.
Age adjusted cancer mortality rate (CLICK FOR LARGER IMAGE)
We use Oregon vital statistics data to monitor deaths from certain diseases like cancer. Vital statistics data allows us to monitor how many people in our community are dying from cancer overall, as well as from specific types of cancer. We can also learn if certain types of cancer affect different groups, like men and women, differently. Overall cancer mortality (per 100,000 population) is higher in Crook County than in Oregon as a whole. Men in Crook County are dying at a statistically higher rate (per 100,000 population) than Crook County women.
Risk Factors
We also use Oregon BRFSS data to monitor risk factors for chronic diseases, like smoking and physical activity. BRFSS data also tells us about how many people in our community receive chronic disease screenings like mammograms and blood cholesterol checks. Since the 2015 RHA was published:
- The prevalence of smoking among Jefferson County adults decreased.
- The prevalence of obesity among adults decreased in all three Central Oregon counties.
- The prevalence of high blood pressure decreased in Crook and Jefferson Counties.
- The prevalence of having had a cholesterol check in the past five years increased in Crook County.
- The prevalence of having had a mammogram in the past two years decreased in Crook County.
Supporting Documents
Chronic Diseases, 2015 RHA (171 KB) 
Asthma image (45 KB) Cancer image (108 KB) Diabetes image (44 KB) 
