Page 120 - 2015 Compass Now

Average scores for all aspects of health improved statistically from the 2011 to 2014 survey. The highest
rated item in the health category was access to health care followed by access to dental care, with a mean
score of 3.46 and 3.39 respectively. Overall, 56.4% of survey respondents rated their access to health care
as excellent in their community, 35% indicated it was good, 6.5% rated it fair, and 2.2% rated access as
poor. Access to dental care was also rated high by respondents. See Figure 4. Ability to pay for mental health
care was rated the lowest by respondents. Over one-third of respondents rated the ability to pay for health
care, mental health care or dental care as fair or poor. See Figure 5.

Figure 4: Access to Health Care

Access to Health Care Access to Dental Care Access to Mental Health Care

Poor/Fair Poor/Fair Poor/Fair
8.7% 10.4% 12.8%

Good Good Good
35.0% 35.7% 42.0%

Excellent Excellent Excellent
56.4% 53.9% 45.2%

Figure 5: Ability to Pay for Health Care

Ability to pay for Ability to pay for Ability to pay for
Health Care Dental Care Mental Health Care

Poor/Fair Good Poor/Fair Good Poor/Fair Good
35.6% 43.7% 35.8% 44.8% 38.7% 42.9%

Excellent Excellent Excellent
20.6% 19.4% 18.3%

Overall, 6.9% of respondents reported that not everyone in their household had insurance. Of respondents,
27% also reported avoiding needed care because of the cost. Neither of these questions varied statistically
by county, but did differ by gender, age, education, and income. See Figure 6 for differences by household
income. See In-Depth Analysis for more detail on comparisons.

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