Ellisville, Mississippi is a major agricultural state with a low socioeconomic status and high rates of obesity and associated health disparities. The Department of Health Equity (MSDH) is committed to providing the highest level of health for all people, regardless of their background. To this end, the MSDH Health Equity team is working with local partners on the Mississippi Gulf Coast to provide hepatitis B education, testing, and treatment to the region's 8,500 culturally appropriate Vietnamese Americans. In 1985, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) published the Heckler Report, which highlighted health disparities among ethnic and racial minorities in the United States.
In response to this report, the HHS Office of Minority Health developed the National Standards for Culturally and Linguistically Appropriate Health Services and Health Care (the CLAS National Standards). These standards encompass governance, leadership and workforce, language and communication assistance, and participation, continuous improvement, and responsibility in human and health services. The MSDH Office of Policy Evaluation's health equity team focuses on ensuring that programs address the health needs of Mississippi's minority population and those with limited English proficiency (LEP). Currently, 71% of people living in Ellisville are covered by health insurance or some other type of health care plan. When it comes to common health concerns in Ellisville, there are a few that stand out.
Taste
is an issue for 8% of Ellisville residents who have had problems with their ability to taste sweet, sour, salty, or bitter foods and beverages.Additionally, 66% of people over 40 have had their wisdom teeth extracted.
Smell
is another concern for 11% of Ellisville residents over 40 who have problems with their ability to smell.Tonsils
have been removed from 23% of Ellisville residents.Head Injury
has caused 14% to lose consciousness due to a head injury while 20% have ever fractured their nose or other serious injury to their face or skull.Sinus Infections have affected 36% who have had two or more sinus infections.
Hypertension
, or high blood pressure, affects 30% of people living in Ellisville who have been told by a doctor or other health professional that they have hypertension. In these areas, access to health care is more available and can contribute to more cases being reported.Asthma
has been diagnosed in 14% of Ellisville residents who have been told by a doctor or other health professional that they had asthma.Finally, Diabetes affects 14% of people living in Ellisville who have been told by a doctor or health professional that they have diabetes. The MSDH Health Equity team is dedicated to providing quality healthcare services to all Mississippians regardless of their background. Through education, testing, and treatment programs tailored to meet the needs of the state's diverse population, MSDH is working towards achieving health equity for all.
