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A recent checkup on the health of Prince Georges residents might affect the setup of health care delivery across the county.

A coalition of state and county leaders and health care professionals unveiled a report July 25 that outlines the health challenges faced by residents. Planners say the report will play a role in developing a comprehensive countywide health system.

Produced by the University of Marylands School of Public Health, the report largely echoes findings made in a 2009 study by the California-based Rand Corp., which found that compared to its neighboring counties, Prince Georges County appears to be in worse shape.

This new study highlights that diseases such as diabetes, heart disease, hypertension, asthma and cancer are particularly strong chronic diseases in the county and those most likely to be fixed with a better health care system, according to the report.

County residents deal with those ailments at a rate higher than neighboring Montgomery, Anne Arundel and Howard counties, and in some cases at rates higher than the statewide averages, according to the study.

The trouble is particularly stark when it comes to deaths attributed to heart disease and cancer. About 224 county residents out 100,000 will die from a heart-disease-related illness, a number higher than that in Montgomery, Howard and Anne Arundel counties, as well as higher than the state baseline of about 194 deaths per 100,000 people. Cancer also claims Prince Georges residents at a high rate, as well. About 173 county residents out of 100,000 will die of cancer, a number that is lower than the 195.2 who will succumb to cancer in Anne Arundel County but higher than both Montgomery and Howard counties, and nearly as high as the states average of about 178.

The report findings open the doors for planners to work toward creating a new and effective model for delivering care within Prince Georges, said Joshua Sharfstein, secretary of the Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene.

Most of the time when we talk about the health system, we talk of turning the ship, and its a big ship, he said. This is an opportunity to think differently on health care in the county.

The report comes as July 21 marked the one-year anniversary of the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between the Prince Georges government, the state and leaders from the University of Maryland Medical System and Dimensions Healthcare System to work to improve the health of residents and the quality of care they receive at hospitals.

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Gazette.Net: New report to help guide changes to county health system