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Index: Community Living / Subcategory: Community Living

Quality of Life

Date posted: 08/06/2005

Chart Directory:

Larimer County Quality of Life, 2004

This measure represents the Quality of Life as perceived by Larimer County citizens responding to the Larimer County Health Survey. The Health District of Larimer County Community Health Survey (2004) measured the health status of the community and the accessibility and quality of health care received. It was adapted (to address local issues) from an instrument used by Felix, Burdine, and Associates to survey over twenty communities, as well as The National Health Survey. Larimer County residents were telephoned by trained interviewers who invited them to participate in the project. Residents who agreed were mailed a survey to complete and a postage paid envelope along with an incentive payment. The data from the survey are based on 2,806 usable, self-administered questionnaires from Larimer County residents (Health District of Larimer County).

The survey results indicated that those respondents more likely to cite their community Quality of Life as 'Not a Problem' were:

Survey Question:

'How much of a problem are these issues in the particular town, city or rural area where you CURRENTLY live?'

j. Quality of Life

Not a problem

1

Small problem

2

Somewhat of a problem

3

Serious problem

4

Very serious problem

5

Don't Know

9

This particular survey question favored negative answers because it only provided one positive response. This should be taken into consideration when reviewing the survey results. Responses of 'Don't Know' were not analyzed for this page.

What this chart shows: Overall Larimer County Quality of Life Survey Responses

Overall Larimer County Quality of Life Survey Responses

Data Source: Health District of Northern Larimer County, Larimer County Health Survey, 2004

See data table

What these data tell us:

Overall, the majority (54.0%) of the Health Survey respondents viewed the area's Quality of Life positively in 2004. Only 4.1% of the sample rated community Quality of Life as a serious or very serious problem.

What this chart shows: Quality of Life 'Not a Problem' by Age Group

Quality of Life 'Not a Problem' by Age Group

Data Source: Health District of Northern Larimer County, Larimer County Health Survey, 2004

See data table

What these data tell us:

In 2004, regardless of age group, survey respondents had fairly similar positive feelings about Larimer County's Quality of Life. Older (60 years and above) adults reported positive Quality of Life perceptions at the highest rate when compared to other age groups.

What this chart shows: Quality of Life Responses by Gender

Quality of Life Responses by Gender

Data Source: Health District of Northern Larimer County, Larimer County Health Survey, 2004

See data table

What these data tell us

In 2004, both male and female survey respondents had similar perceptions of community Quality of Life in Larimer County. One notable difference, though not statistically significant, were the responses of 'Serious/Very Serious Problem' to the survey question. Females reported Quality of Life at this level 48% more frequently than did males. Possible reasons for this disparity include higher incidence of depression and lower income among females. The National Institute of Mental Health states that major depression affects women twice as much as men. The United States Department of Labor Bureau of Labor Statistics reported that in 2003, women nationally made, on average, 80% of what their male counterparts earned. The Household Income chart shows a direct positive relationship between income and Quality of Life perception.

Additional Information:

On Compass -

Outside Compass -

Industry Standards or Targets:

N/A

Data Tables:

Overall Quality of Life Survey Responses

Health District of Northern Larimer County, Larimer County Health Survey, 2004

Percent

Not a Problem

1358

Small Problem

711

Somewhat of a Problem

344

Serious Problem

74

Very Serious Problem

29

See chart

Quality of Life 'Not a Problem' Responses by Age

Health District of Northern Larimer County, Larimer County Health Survey, 2004

Age

Count

Percent

18-34

490

53.8%

35-44

299

54.2%

45-59

385

52.2%

60+

170

58.4%

See chart

Quality of Life Responses by Gender

Health District of Northern Larimer County, Larimer County Health Survey, 2004

Not a Problem

Small/Somewhat of a Problem

Serious/Very Serious Problem

Count

Percent

Count

Percent

Count

Percent

Male

692

54.3%

541

42.4%

42

3.3%

Female

665

53.7%

513

41.4%

61

4.9%

See chart