Roanoke lags state, nation in most health outcome data

A typical person in Roanoke is expected to live nearly seven years less than Virginia's average life expectancy of 78 years, according to health department data.

A life expectancy of 71.4 years in Roanoke is one statistic that the city lags behind state and national health measures, according to a report to the city council on Monday from Cynthia Morrow, director of the Roanoke City and Alleghany Health Districts.

It's not just life expectancy, but other health metrics as well, she said, using the most recently available data from 2019-21. She said people have to use some precaution interpreting data taken during the COVID-19 epidemic, but some trends continued from pre-coronavirus times.

"With virtually all of these health outcomes, Roanoke City fares worse than Virginia as a state, and certainly the United States," Morrow said. "These are things, that together, I hope we can work to try to reverse these numbers."

One factor contributing to lower life expectancy in Roanoke is the number of premature deaths, which in this country are counted when people die younger than age 75. Roanoke's premature death rate is almost twice as high as in Virginia and the United States, Morrow said.

"In Roanoke City, if we look at all causes of death, heart disease is going to be the number one cause of death. It predominantly is influencing our older population," Morrow said. "If we look at our younger population – at premature death – cancer deaths ... exceeds diseases of the heart."

Accidents are also a leading cause of premature death, and that includes poisoning by drug overdose. A positive bit of data shows that overdose deaths decreased 20% to 35% in Roanoke and Salem between 2022 and 2023.

Roanoke has higher rates of child and infant mortality, frequent physical and mental distress, diabetes and HIV than state and national averages, according to health department data.

Sexually transmitted infections continue to rise, particularly among young people, which is true across the country, but disproportionately so in Roanoke, Morrow said. Syphilis in particular is a point of emphasis for health departments nationwide, she said.

"Syphilis is the canary in the coal mine. When you have a case of syphilis, it means that our system is failing us," Morrow said. "When we see increases across the country, we know that we have a lot of work to do."

She added that sexually transmitted infection rates are partly up because the health department is administering more tests, resulting in more positive results from people who might otherwise be undiagnosed.

Morrow said tobacco use is still the city's leading cause of preventable death, followed very closely by poor nutrition and lack of physical activity.

"It's really important for us to not only look at health outcomes, but to look at what is driving those health outcomes," Morrow said. "Not surprisingly, socioeconomic status is one of the drivers. But there are also associated things that we do that directly contribute to poor health outcomes."

The city's rate of 20% adult smokers and 41% adult obesity are both 7% above state averages, data shows. Roanoke has a higher rate of access to exercise opportunities, but also a higher rate of physical inactivity than averages.

"The most important predictor of good health is education," Morrow said. "It's a stronger indicator than income."

The health department is seeking grants to partner with the Roanoke public school system for more evidence-based education, she said.

Luke Weir (540) 566-8917

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