After an extensive survey of the health and well-being of area residents, Public Health Management Corporation (PHMC), through its Community Health Data Base (CHDB), released the data findings of the 2010 Southeastern Pennsylvania Household Health Survey.

Approximately 10,000 households throughout Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery and Philadelphia Counties were randomly contacted by phone and asked questions about health screenings, use of health services, health insurance and personal health behaviors. Hundreds of organizations in the region will use the information gathered to plan and improve health services for area residents, including children, adults and older adults.

This year the survey incorporates more than twelve new topic areas including gambling, disability status, and addiction and recovery. Additional questions asked only of Philadelphia adults and children cover menu labeling and sugary beverage consumption. The 2010 survey also examines a core set of health indicators for the Southeastern Pennsylvania (SEPA) region including health insurance coverage, obesity and cigarette purchases.

Selected key findings from the 2010 Household Health Survey include:

•Nearly two in five Philadelphia adults (38.0%) changed their food choice to a lower calorie option due to menu labeling.

•In Philadelphia, more than one in ten adults (11.5%) and one in ten children (10.0%) drink soda at least once per day.

•In SEPA, 26.3% of adults and 19.2% of children are obese. The percentage of adults who are obese slightly increased from 2008, while obesity rates held steady for children.

•In SEPA, 20.3% of adults currently smoke cigarettes, which has remained consistent from 2008.

For more findings from the survey, visit www.chdbdata.org.