Pittsburgh doing well but slipping somewhat in health care coverage (by Jennifer Geiselhart and Bernard D. Goldstein)

Pittsburgh has been one of the better regions in our comparison group in terms of the percentage of all adults who possess any kind of health care coverage. However, both in absolute and relative terms there are signs of slippage as compared to the past.

The Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance Survey (BRFSS) of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention shows that in 2006, 10.5% of Pittsburgh region adults did not have any kind of health care coverage. We were the sixth best in that category among the 15 comparison areas (Minneapolis was the best at only 7.3% lacking coverage, and Charlotte the worst with 15.9% uninsured). These recent results are disappointing when compared with the first three years for which data are available. For 2002, ’03 and ‘04, the Pittsburgh region ranked either second or third best among the comparison areas.

Our best year in terms of absolute percent reported to be without health coverage was 2003 at 6.8%. Thus, our 8th place ranking in 2005 coupled with our 6th place standing for 2006 reveal that the Pittsburgh region is not keeping up with its comparison regions in terms of providing health insurance coverage for adults.

The BRFSS first reported data specific to the 18-64 age group in 2006. Our seven county Pittsburgh region is reported to have 12.8% who do not have coverage within that age group, ranking eighth out of the fifteen comparison areas. Again, Minneapolis is the best with only 8.3% uninsured and Charlotte the worst with 18.3% uninsured.

Data are available for three counties within our seven county region. Westmoreland has the lowest amount of total adult uninsured (8.6%) and among 18-64 year olds (10.0%). Fayette County has the highest amount of both total adult uninsured (14.6%) and among 18-64 year olds (16.4%); while Allegheny County is intermediate with 9.5% for total adult uninsured and 12% for 18-64 year olds.

Jennifer Geiselhart, JD, MPH
Center for Public Health Practice
Graduate School of Public Health
University of Pittsburgh

Bernard D. Goldstein, MD
Department of Environmental and Occupational Health
Graduate School of Public Health
University of Pittsburgh