Affordable housing in Hamilton County a ‘major problem,’ survey says

HAMILTON COUNTY, Tenn. (WDEF) — The Hamilton County Health Department has released their 2023 Public Health Survey, which was used to determine the health issues and concerns of county residents.

Community Problems

The survey asked residents to identify which were major problems within their community. According to the survey, 56% of respondents see “access to affordable housing” as a major problem.

Trailing closely behind housing, 46% of people see “availability of affordable childcare” as a major problem as well. The same number of respondents see gun safety and substance abuse as a major problem, sitting at 44%. 

Health Care

More than 90% of participants say they have access to health insurance. However, 13% reported that they did not get needed medical care in the last year.

Of those who did not receive necessary medical care, almost half said it was because of costs. Additionally, 18% said they could not get an appointment.  

The survey says 40% of people reported having high blood pressure, 36% reported having high cholesterol and 17% reported having asthma.

Breakdown

The health department’s epidemiology manager, Dr. Dawn Ford says this is the first survey they have compiled for the adult residents of Hamilton County.

The survey was conducted from April to July of 2023.

“We received nearly 3,400 valid results from every zip code in Hamilton County,” said Dr. Ford. “We were very pleased with that.”

Survey results also break down responses of participants based on age, race, gender and income.

Other topics included mental health, COVID-19, substance and tobacco use, and nutrition.

Dr. Ford also says these responses help Hamilton County organizations offer the appropriate programming and education.