Health and Nutrition of Mercer, PA Residents

Diet Behavior & Nutrition

Forty five percent of Mercer residents report that their diet is generally healthy. People here have milk to drink or on their cereal 18 times per month. This includes chocolate and other flavored milks, as well as hot cocoa made with milk, and does not count small amounts of milk added to coffee or tea. People living here eat an average of five meals (breakfasts, lunches or dinners) per week that were prepared away from home in places such as restaurants, fast food places, food stands, grocery stores or from vending machines. They get three of these meals from a fast-food or pizza place. People here eat two "ready to eat" foods such as salads, soups, chicken, sandwiches and cooked vegetables per month. They also eat two frozen meals or frozen pizzas on average monthly.

Summary

The biggest differences compared to state averages have been highlighted with a blue background.

Oral Health

The average Mercer resident last visited a dentist two years ago (including all types of dentists, such as, orthodontists, oral surgeons, and all other dental specialists, as well as dental hygienists). Ten percent of people living here 30 years of age and older, are embarrassed because of their teeth, mouth or dentures. Seventeen percent think they might have gum disease (might have swollen gums, receding gums, sore or infected gums or loose teeth). Mercer residents rate the overall health of their teeth and gums on average at 45 percent. People living here aged 30 years and older, aside from brushing their teeth with toothbrush, use dental floss or any other device that clean between teeth on average three days per week. They also use mouthwash or other dental rinse products to treat dental disease or dental problems an average of four days per week. The average person living here (including children) has 26 teeth.

Summary

The biggest differences compared to state averages have been highlighted with a blue background.

Weight

The average height of Mercer residents 16 years and older is 67 inches. The average weight is 184 pounds. Their average BMI (Body Mass Index) is 28. Forty percent of people living here are obese. Forty eight percent have ever been obese. Thirty one percent have ever tried to lose weight.

Summary

Drug Use

Sixty one percent of Mercer residents have ever used marijuana or hashish. Eleven percent of people living here have ever used cocaine, crack cocaine, heroin or methamphetamine. Eleven percent have ever used any form of cocaine, such as powder, 'crack', 'free base', and coca paste. Two percent have ever used heroin.

Summary

The biggest differences compared to state averages have been highlighted with a blue background.

Diabetes

Nine percent of people living in Mercer have ever been told by a doctor or health professional that they have diabetes. Thirty five percent of people had a blood test for high sugar or diabetes within the past three years. Four percent of city residents are currently taking insulin.

Summary

The biggest differences compared to state averages have been highlighted with a blue background.

Kidney Conditions-Urology

Mercer residents 20 years and older on average get up to urinate one time at night (from time they go to bed at night until the time they get up in the morning).

Summary

Taste & Smell

Five percent of Mercer residents above the age of 40 have problems with their ability to smell, such as not being able to smell things or things not smelling the way they are supposed to. Forty four percent of people above the age of 40 have ever had wisdom teeth removed. Fourteen percent have lost consciousness because of a head injury. Ten percent have ever had a broken nose or other serious injury to face or skull.

Summary

The biggest differences compared to state averages have been highlighted with a blue background.

Health Insurance

Fifty nine percent of people living in Mercer are covered by health insurance or some other kind of health care plan.

Summary

The biggest differences compared to state averages have been highlighted with a blue background.

Blood Pressure & Cholesterol

Thirteen percent of people living in Mercer have been ever told by a doctor or other health professional that they had hypertension (also called high blood pressure). Fourteen percent of people take their blood pressure at home. Twenty nine percent of people in Mercer frequently check their blood cholesterol. Eight percent of people have ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that their blood cholesterol level was high.

Summary

The biggest differences compared to state averages have been highlighted with a blue background.

Dermatology

Fourteen percent of people living in Mercer use sunscreen.

Summary

The biggest differences compared to state averages have been highlighted with a blue background.

Mental Health

Twenty two percent of Mercer residents 18 years old and older have usually little interest or pleasure in doing things. Eighteen percent often feel down, depressed, or hopeless. Twenty five percent of people living here have trouble falling or staying asleep, or sleep too much. Thirty six percent of people often feel tired or have little energy. Twenty five percent are bothered by poor appetite or overeating. Twenty percent often feel badly about themselves, that they are a failure or have let themselves or their families down. Twelve percent have trouble concentrating on things, such as reading the newspaper or watching TV. Thirteen percent of people living here move or speak so slowly that other people could have noticed, or the opposite - being so fidgety or restless that they have been moving around a lot more than usual. Three percent have thoughts that they would be better off dead or of hurting themselves in some way.

Summary

The biggest differences compared to state averages have been highlighted with a blue background.

Prescription Medications

Mercer residents on average take one prescription medicines.

Summary

The biggest differences compared to state averages have been highlighted with a blue background.

Alcohol use

Seventy seven percent of people living in Mercer have at least one alcoholic drink per month. Twelve percent of people living here do not drink alcohol at all. People living here drink alcohol 5.4 days per month on average. They have 5.8 drinks per week. On average people living here have 5 or more drinks on 24 days a year.

Summary

Sexual Behavior

Ninety four percent of Mercer residents 18 years and older have ever had vaginal, anal or oral sex. Ninety four percent of males have ever had vaginal sex with a woman. Eighty one percent have ever performed oral sex on a woman. Forty two percent have ever had anal sex with a woman. Two percent of males in Mercer have ever had any kind of sex with a man, including oral or anal. Eighty two percent of females have ever had vaginal sex with a man. Fifty nine percent have ever performed oral sex on a man. Thirty one percent have ever had anal sex. Four percent of females have ever had any kind of sex with a woman. People in Mercer were 17 years old on average when they had sex for the first time. The average man in his lifetime had any kind of sex with 28 women. He has vaginal sex with 24 women. People living here were on average 20 years old when they first performed oral sex on a woman. In their lifetime they performed oral sex on average on five women. People in Mercer were 19 years old on average when they first performed oral sex on a man. Twenty five percent of people use protection, like a condom or dental dam, while performing oral sex. The average person in Mercer has vaginal or anal sex 53 times a year. Thirty four percent have sex without using a condom. Females in Mercer 18 years and older have had any kind of sex with four men on average. They have had four male vaginal sex partners in their lifetimes. Seventy six percent of men 18 years old and older are circumcised.

Summary

The biggest differences compared to state averages have been highlighted with a blue background.

Pesticide Use

Nine percent of households in Mercer use chemical products in their homes to control fleas, roaches, ants, termites or other insects. Two percent use chemical products in their lawns or gardens to kill weeds.

Summary

The biggest differences compared to state averages have been highlighted with a blue background.

Sleep Disorders

Mercer residents 16 years and older usually get seven hours of sleep at night on weekdays or workdays. Thirteen percent of them have trouble sleeping.

Summary

The biggest differences compared to state averages have been highlighted with a blue background.

Smoking-Cigarette Use

Sixty two percent of Mercer residents currently smoke cigarettes.

Summary

The biggest differences compared to state averages have been highlighted with a blue background.

Physical Activity

Twenty five percent of Mercer residents' work involve vigorous-intensity activity that causes large increases in breathing or heart rate, like carrying or lifting heavy loads, digging or construction work for at least 10 minutes continuously. Thirty percent of people do moderate-intensity activities at work that cause small increases in breathing or heart rate such as brisk walking or carrying light loads for at least 10 minutes continuously. Forty four percent walk or bicycle for at least 10 minutes continuously to get to and from places. Thirty seven percent do any vigorous-intensity sports, fitness or recreational activities that cause large increases in breathing or heart rate like running or basketball for at least 10 minutes continuously. Thirty six percent do any moderate-intensity sports, fitness or recreational activities that cause a small increase in breathing or heart rate such as brisk walking, bicycling, swimming or golf for at least 10 minutes continuously. People living here spend five hours sitting on a typical day (this includes sitting at work, at home, getting to and from places, or with friends, including time spent sitting at a desk, traveling in a car or bus, reading, playing cards, watching television or using a computer). They usually sit and watch TV or videos for about three hours per day. They use a computer or play computer games (including Playstation, Nintendo DS, or other portable video games) outside of work or school for 1.3 hours per day.

Summary

The biggest differences compared to state averages have been highlighted with a blue background.

Medical Conditions

Nine percent of Mercer residents have ever been told by a doctor or other health professional that they had asthma. Two percent of people living here has anemia, sometimes called "tired blood" or "low blood". Twenty six percent are overweight. Twelve percent of people 60 years and older have difficulties in thinking or remembering that can make a big difference in everyday activities (this does not refer to occasionally forgetting your keys or the name of someone you recently met). This refers to things like confusion or memory loss that are happening more often or getting worse. Six percent of people living in Mercer have ever received a blood transfusion. Twelve percent have trouble seeing, even when wearing glasses or contact lenses. Three percent have ever been told they had gout. One percent have congestive heart failure. Two percent have angina, also called angina pectoris. Two percent have been ever told by a doctor or other health professional that they had a stroke. Four percent have another thyroid problem.

Summary

The biggest differences compared to state averages have been highlighted with a blue background.

Reproductive Health

Fifty five percent of births in Mercer were vaginal deliveries. Forty five percent of deliveries were cesarean. 98.5 percent of deliveries resulted in live births. Sixty one percent of pregnancies resulted in a delivery. Seventy five percent of women breastfeed their children. Eight percent of women in Mercer have ever had a hysterectomy, including a partial hysterectomy (that is, surgery to remove their uterus or womb). Forty eight percent have ever taken birth control pills for any reason. Four percent of women are currently taking birth control pills. Seventeen percent have ever used Depo-Provera or injectable birth control to prevent pregnancy. Eight percent have ever used female hormones such as estrogen and progesterone, including any forms of female hormones, such as pills, cream, patch and injections, but do not include birth control methods or use for infertility.

Summary

The biggest differences compared to state averages have been highlighted with a blue background.

Current Health Status

People living in Mercer report their general health condition on average at 55 percent. Two percent of them donate blood. Excluding tests they have had as part of blood donations, 53 percent of Mercer residents have ever had their blood tested for the AIDS virus infection. Eight percent of people living in Mercer are left-handed.

Summary

The biggest differences compared to state averages have been highlighted with a blue background.

Consumer Behavior

People in Mercer spend $349 per month on average on food for their families at supermarkets or grocery stores. This is 26 percent of their income. The average family in Mercer spends $79 on food at other stores monthly. This is six percent of their income. They spend $116 on eating out, including cafeterias at work or at school or on vending machines. This is eight percent of their income. They also spend $24 monthly on carried out or delivered food. This is two percent of their income.

Summary

The biggest differences compared to state averages have been highlighted with a blue background.

Audiometry

People living in Mercer report their general condition of hearing on average at 86 percent. Ninety four percent of them can usually hear and understand, without the use of a hearing aid or any other listening devices, what a person says without seeing his or her face if that person whispers to them from across a quiet room. Ninety nine percent of people can hear a normal voice across a quiet room. Seven percent of Mercer population have been bothered by ringing, roaring or buzzing in their ears or head. Forty eight percent of people living here have ever had a job where they were exposed to loud sounds or noise. Loud means so loud that they must speak in a raised voice to be heard. Nineteen percent of people in Mercer had off-work exposure to loud noise.

Summary

The biggest differences compared to state averages have been highlighted with a blue background.

Preventive Aspirin Use

Twenty one percent of Mercer residents 40 and older take a low-dose aspirin each day to prevent heart attacks, strokes or cancer.

Summary

The biggest differences compared to state averages have been highlighted with a blue background.

Physical Functioning

Twelve percent of Mercer residents 20 or older have limitations caused by a long-term physical, mental or emotional problems or illnesses keeping them from working at a job or business. Fourteen percent are limited in the kind or amount of work they can do because of physical, mental or emotional problems. Five percent are limited in any way because of difficulty remembering or because they experience periods of confusion. Four percent of people here have health problems that require them to use special equipment, such as a cane, wheelchair, special bed or special telephone.

Summary

The biggest differences compared to state averages have been highlighted with a blue background.