ROANOKE, Va. (WDBJ) – In a presentation Monday afternoon, a report to the Roanoke City Council revealed that residents are performing worse in terms of health compared to the state and national average.

The Virginia Department of Health led the presentation during a city council meeting. They talked about how important the work they do is to try to improve public health.

Health outcomes reflect average life expectancy and how many physical and mental health problems people face in a community.

Residents of Roanoke face a significantly shorter life expectancy than both the Virginia state and national averages. The average life expectancy in the city of Roanoke is just 71.4 years, compared to 78.1 years nationally and 77.6 years nationally.

The report highlighted the leading causes of death among residents under the age of 75, identifying cancer, heart disease, accidental deaths – including drug overdoses – diabetes and COVID-19 as the main drivers of the area’s health crisis.

Dr. Cynthia Murrow, a key figure in the report, addressed the board, highlighting the deep-rooted factors contributing to these alarming statistics. “What we know about poor health is that in the United States, poor health is associated with poverty, particularly in terms of income and, most importantly, education,” she explained. “Access to care can be really challenging, and this combination of factors frequently leads to health inequities, where some populations have worse health outcomes compared to others.”

The report suggests that lifestyle choices also contribute significantly to the health problems facing the city of Roanoke. Dr. Murrow pointed out that higher rates of smoking, obesity and low levels of physical activity are prevalent in the community. “If we’re talking about heart disease or cancer, we also need to look at what’s contributing to that,” she said. “Our advice is clear: if you smoke, now is the best time to quit. We have many supports available to help.”

Despite the statistics, Dr. Murrow highlighted ongoing efforts in the city to improve public health, particularly in areas like Melrose Plaza, where a new grocery store and wellness center could help address the issue by providing a areas undeserving of access to these services.

“There are a lot of really good things happening, and together — individuals, the city of Roanoke and the health department — we can move the needle on health,” Dr. Murrow said.

Murrow thanked Roanoke city officials for recognizing the importance of public health and supporting the department in trying to improve the health of the community.

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