Individuals
Individuals thrive when their health outcomes improve and when chronic disease and exposure to violence decreases.
What are we seeing?
Among the indicators for individuals, four changes in the data raise concerns for civic wellness considerations, as follows:
Decline in group participation rates
Decreased number of unhealthy air quality days
Increased incarceration rates for people of color
Increase in health concerns
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Poor physical health concerns increased overall, but this indicator decreased for people who are Black, American Indian or Alaskan Native (AI/AN), and Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander (NHPI). Reports of poor mental health also minimally decreased overall, however reporting of poor mental health decreased amongst people who are American Indian or Alaskan Native or Black.
Health concerns increased for all racial categories, except for people who are Black or American Indian or Alaskan Native.
Incarceration rates increased overall in 2023, with rates for Black and American Indian or Alaskan Native people rising significantly — 5.3 times and 2.5 times higher, respectively, than the rates for white people.
The number of days of unhealthy air quality fluctuated from 2019 to 2022. The number of days decreased between 2020 to 2021 but then increased from 2021 to 2022 followed by another decrease from 2022 to 2023.
+7.5% change in adults with health concerns
+4.3% White +13.4% People of color
(as of 2024)
Click on each section below to view data results for the REGION, updated 2024. (Optimized for desktop viewing). Data for King, Kitsap, Pierce, and Snohomish will be available soon.
We’re headed in the right direction!
This trend means something is wrong.
Arrows show us weather a trend is ↑ increasing or ↓ decreasing.
Why is this metric important?
Individual perspective on health status provides insight into the general feeling of well-being and security felt by the region's residents.
Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
Why is this metric important?
Poor physical health, including chronic illnesses, creates barriers for individual participation in the economy, and drives costs through the health care system.
Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
Why is this metric important?
Mental health is a significant contributor to overall health, and can result in isolation and loss of a sense of belonging. It is also often a precursor to people experiencing homelessness.
Source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
Why is this metric important?
Participation fosters feelings of belonging and connection, leading to better overall mental and physical health.
Source: National Conference on Citizenship - Data directly provided by NCoC
Why is this metric important?
High rates of incarceration have negative effects on family stability, toxic stress levels, and have been shown to be connected with poor health outcomes for individuals.
Sources: Washington Association of Sheriffs and Police Chiefs (WASPC), ACS, PL 94-171
Why is this metric important?
Unhealthy air quality restricts activity for all residents, and acutely impacts sensitive and unhealthy group's quality of life.
Source: EPA
