SACRAMENTO – The latest edition of an annual public health report card shows that California gets a passing grade on meeting or exceeding key health objectives, while some others need improvement.

In the 14^th edition of County Health Status Profiles being released in conjunction with Public Health Week, April 3 to 9, Californians get good marks for reducing the teen birth rate, increasing the percentage of mothers who breastfeed, and lowering the death rate from all causes, including lung and breast cancers, State Public Health Officer Dr. Mark Horton announced today. In addition, individuals infected with HIV are living longer than before and progression to AIDS has decreased.

"Californians have a reason to be proud. As more of us are choosing healthier lifestyles, including regular exercise, eating a low-fat diet with more fruits and vegetables and not smoking, we’re contributing to the state’s overall good health," Horton said.

The report contains selected health status indicators recommended by the U.S. Public Health Service that help monitor state and local progress toward achieving goals in the national Healthy People 2010 Initiative (HP 2010), which challenges public health professionals to increase the span of healthy life, reduce health disparities and ensure access to preventive services for all Americans.

One health issue the state is following closely is diabetes. Death rates from diabetes are rising, which is a concern because diabetes can result in significant complications and premature death. "It is critical that people with diabetes have access to training and treatment to successfully manage this serious disease," explained Horton.

California's death rates were considerably lower than the national rate for each of the mortality indicators, except homicide and drug-induced deaths. Death rates due to unintentional injuries and lung cancer as well as infant deaths for all races were more than 20 percent lower than national death rates. And California's incidence of low birthweight infants, mothers with late or no prenatal care and births to adolescents are well below national rates.

Highlights of the report, produced by the California Department of Health Services in conjunction with the California Conference of Local Health Officers, include:

• Births to Adolescent Mothers (15 to 19 years old): The 2002-2004 age-specific birth rate was 39.2 per 1,000 female population, down 15.3 percent from the 1999-2001 rate of 46.3.

• Breastfeeding: The 2002-2004 percent of breastfed infants was 83.7 per 100 births, an increase of 2.1 percent from the 1999-2001 percentage of 82.0.

• Reported Incidence of AIDS: The 2002-2004 case rate for AIDS was 13.7 cases per 100,000 population aged 13 years and older, down 17.0 percent from the 1999-2001 rate of 16.5.

• All Causes of Death: The 2002-2004 age-adjusted death rate was 704.5 per 100,000 population, down 9.4 percent from the 1999-2001 rate of 777.6.

• All Cancers: The 2002-2004 age-adjusted death rate was 164.1 per 100,000 population, down 9.0 percent from the 1999-2001 rate of 180.4.

• Lung Cancer: The 2002-2004 age-adjusted death rate was 41.8 per 100,000 population, down 11.3 percent from the 1999-2001 rate of 47.1.

• Female Breast Cancer: The 2002-2004 age-adjusted death rate was 22.8 per 100,000 population, down 8.8 percent from the 1999-2001 rate of 25.0.

• Diabetes: The 2002-2004 age-adjusted death rate was 21.3 per 100,000 population, essentially unchanged from the 1999-2001 rate of 21.2. There are two major types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2.  Type 1 occurs mainly in children age 18 years and younger; type 2 usually occurs in adults over 30 years of age. The diabetes death rate includes both types.

• Chlamydia: The 2002-2004 case rate for chlamydia was 324.3 cases per 100,000 population, an increase of 17.3 percent from the 1999-2001 rate of 276.5.

• Low Birthweight Infants: The 2002-2004 percent of low birthweight infants was 6.6 per 100 live births, an increase of 6.5 percent from the 1999-2001 percentage of 6.2.

The report is available online at

www.dhs.ca.gov/chs/OHIR/reports/healthstatusprofiles.