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Engage Estero

A Review of the Overall Health of Estero Residents

By Ned Newland, Engage Estero’s Community Healthcare Committee Member.

Introduction

Lee Health’s 2023 Community Health Needs Assessment Survey was analyzed and presented to Engage Estero’s Healthcare Committee by Sally Kreuscher, Lee Health’s Director of Community Affairs, in March 2024. The data collected provides a detailed look into the health of residents across four areas of Lee County (see map). Estero is in market area 4 (in green).

The survey involved 25- to 30-minute interviews with residents in 1,000 households, with 250 households in each of four areas.  Given the extensive nature of the project and the findings reported, Engage Estero requested and received permission to share some of the key findings with our 13,000 readers in Greater Estero.

Map of Regions Studied

Healthcare Priorities Across Lee County

The information obtained in Lee County as a whole indicated that future healthcare priorities should focus on the following conditions. (see image for the complete list)

 

  • Mental health
  • Substance use
  • Diabetes and obesity
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Access to care
  • Oral health
  • Injury prevention and infant health
Appendix 1

Specific Findings for the Estero Area (4)

The following are the major points that emerged in the Estero area relating to the Community Health Needs investigation findings.

  • A significant percentage of residents have two or more chronic conditions.
  • Mental health concerns are widespread, yet access to mental health professionals is limited.
  • Over 14% of adults report being diagnosed with pre-diabetes or borderline diabetes.
  • Many residents face barriers to accessing care, including financial constraints, transportation issues, and limited provider availability.
  • Cancer and heart disease remain leading causes of death (Appendix 4 & 5).

More than 10% of surveyed residents in the Estero area (area 4) have been diagnosed with diabetes, and another 14% have pre-diabetes. Lifestyle choices, such as low physical activity levels, also contribute to these findings. These data emphasize the importance of preventive care and fitness outreach.

Lee Health Coconut Point

How Estero Differs from Other Parts of Lee County

Compared to other parts of Lee County, the data relating to the Estero area revealed the following differences:

  • Estro has an older demographic (although this has been changing in recent years)
  • Estero appears to have a higher rate of chronic conditions like arthritis and heart disease (Appendix 2).
  • There is a more significant shortage of Mental Health providers, compared to the rest of Lee County, despite a high perceived need (Appendix 3). Note: Several articles have been written on this issue, including two by Engage Estero. See references123 at the end of the article.
  • Although cancer and cardiovascular risks (prevalence of heart disease and stroke) remain slightly higher than in other areas, this is likely to be linked to the higher age demographic noted for the Estero area.  (Appendix 4 & 5).
  • Although the Estero area appears to be more affluent than other parts of Lee County, many report suffering barriers to accessing care. Obtaining an appointment, finding a doctor, and the cost of the appointment and travel were some of the key reasons. While Southwest Florida fares better than other parts of the USA in attracting physicians and nurses, the number of doctors and nurses entering the medical profession continues to decline. 4
  • While the uninsured rate for adults aged 18–64 in the Estero area remains higher than in Lee County, it is much higher than in the USA as a whole (18.8% compared with 8.1%). Although there was no explanation for this result, it may be linked to the area having a higher proportion of lower-income indigenous workers, who often support jobs such as laborers, landscapers, and fruit pickers. (Appendix 8)
  • A summary of the Estero area needs identified from the data is provided in Appendix 6.

Other Differences with the Rest of Lee County

The data collected from the Community Health Needs investigation also reveals some additional points of difference.  The data for Estero has several notable positives compared to the more urban parts of Lee County:

  • Not surprisingly, teen birth rates are lower, again linked to the higher age demographic.
  • Interestingly, violent crime victimization rates are lower than elsewhere in Lee County. (Appendix 7).
Family and Healthcare

Conclusions

In essence, the Lee Health market research investigation was an assessment of the public’s unmet healthcare needs. It is therefore an important signpost of the medical issues that need to be examined.

  • It may involve improved communications of what is already available to address these needs.
  • It may require an adjustment to what may already be available.
  • It may require new initiatives.

However, the information is a vital part of determining future strategies to ensure such unmet needs are met. Those areas where the focus is needed in the Esetro area include:

  • Access to Healthcare services
  • Mental health.
  • Cancer
  • Chronic disease management.
  • Diabetes
  • Preventive care.
  • Infant health and family planning.

It should be emphasized that Lee Health has focused on enhancing the number and expertise of physicians and treatments available to treat various cancers and cardiovascular conditions in the Estero area in recent years. These developments align with the significance of these conditions, which account for 41% of all deaths, a higher proportion in an older population. Other significant developments have included

  • The development of the Proton Therapy Center
  • The availability of MRI and CT scanning equipment
  • The increase in the use of robotic surgery.
  • The expansion of rehab facilities
  • Focus on nutrition and dietary expertise

Addressing the above areas helps to position Estero as a leader in health resilience across all age groups, not just the baby boomers. However, with the insights gained from the Community Health Needs Assessment Investigation, we can expect to see more initiatives in the future. 

Engage Estero expresses its thanks to Lee Health for agreeing to release the details of their investigation to the residents of greater Estero.

References.

  1. Important Guidance for Students Entering Higher Education  https://esterotoday.com/mental-health-and-new-college-students/
  2. Mental Distress in Children During COVID-19. Signs, Symptoms & what can we do to help our kids and ourselves. https://esterotoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/04/GECRqtr2-2022.pdf#page=7
  3. A growing psychiatrist shortage and an enormous demand for mental health services: AAMC News 2022. https://www.aamc.org/news/growing-psychiatrist-shortage-enormous-demand-mental-health-services
  4. Healthcare is Changing: How it will affect you! GECR Report Quarter 2 -2023. https://esterotoday.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/GECRqtr2-2023.pdf

The full report can be found at: https://leecounty.healthforecast.net/2023%20PRC%20CHNA%20Report%20-%20Lee%20County,%20FL.pdf 

 

Appendix 1

Appendix 1

Appendix 2

Disabling Conditions

Appendix 3

Mental Health

Appendix 4

Heart Disease and Stroke

Appendix 5

Prevelance of Cancer

Appendix 6

Areas of Opportunity

Appendix 7

Injury and Violence

Appendix 8

Access tp Health Care Services

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At Engage Estero, we believe in the strength of the community. As a nonpartisan, nonpolitical nonprofit, we utilize evidence-based research to provide nonbiased information about community issues, empowering you to improve your quality of life.