| County faces challenges Published in the Sept. 5, 2007 issue of The Omak-Okanogan County Chronicle By Chris Thew Chronicle staff Okanogan County faces some big challenges in the years ahead, led by its geographic size, says Paul Waterstrat, Okanogan County Public Health administrator. During a presentation at an Aug. 23 growth summit, hosted by the Okanogan County commissioners, Waterstrat said other challenges include high poverty, expectations of urban culture, increased regulations without increased funding, unfunded mandates, shifts in demographics, funding cuts, and balancing needs, demands and resources with the economy. Waterstrat said Okanogan County has a 35 percent higher poverty rate than all other rural counties in Washington and has the lowest median household income in the state at $30,339. The state median household income is $48,185. The county's per capita income is $14,900 compared to $22,973 for the state. Okanogan County residents also rely heavily on state services as 38 percent receive some sort of assistance from the state Department of Social and Health Services, according to Waterstrat. The county ranks seventh in the state for food assistance, third in general assistance and fourth for medical assistance received. Each year, medical costs for 60 percent of births in Okanogan County are paid through Medicaid assistance, according to Waterstrat. Pregnancy outcomes are not as favorable as other counties around the state, according to Waterstrat. Okanogan County ranks sixth in adolescent pregnancy, sixth in child mortality, second in low birth weight and first in pre-term delivery, he said. County residents also aren't faring too well in comparison to other people in the state, according to Waterstrat. Life expectancy in Okanogan County for men is 73 years old and for women is 79. Both groups are behind the statewide averages of 76 and 81, respectively. Accidental death accounts for 9.8 percent of all deaths, especially in the 45-54 and 65-99 age groups, according to Waterstrat. The statewide average is 4.82 percent. Some 11.7 percent of Okanogan County residents are hospitalized each year, compared to the state average of 9.6 percent. Waterstrat suggested that factors probably include distance to transport patients, nature of injuries, severity of injuries and medical resources available in such a large county. The county's aging population also will be increasing in the years ahead, according to Waterstrat. Predictions call for Okanogan County's population age 65 or older to require more medical and aging care. The county is expected to have 7,059 residents 65 and older in 2010; 8,325 in 2015; 9,927 in 2020 and 11,515 in 2025. The decline in agriculture also is taking its toll on the county. In 1997, Okanogan County had 1,153 farms and 661 orchards. Five years later, there were 1,026 farms and 548 orchards, he said. Okanogan County also is seeing more requests for water and septic permits for new developments, he noted. |
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2007 The Chronicle, Inc., Omak, WA 98841, unless otherwise noted. |
