DCH is actively promoting high blood pressure control since it is the most important risk factor for stroke. Diabetes-related deaths have declined and DCH continues to educate the public and health professionals on screening and identifying individuals who are at risk for diabetes. In Michigan the rate of teen pregnancy was increasing from 1984 to 1990. Since 1991, a steady decline in teen pregnancy rates has occurred. If the decline continues, the rate of teen pregnancy could be lower than projected estimates for the year 2000.
Smoking is the leading cause of preventable deaths.
1995 data shows that the smoking level has declined to approximately 25.9 percent of the adult population. Health system trends show positive trends in increased enrollment in managed health care options, a slowing of the growth rate in health costs and lower hospitalization rates for individuals with conditions that can be treated on an outpatient basis. The rates for motor vehicle crash deaths, the incidence of the sexually transmitted disease known as Chlamydia and alcohol-induced deaths are fluctuating while cancer death rates have remained stable without increases or declines.