Environmental Health Disparities in Vermont: Hospitalizations

Hospitalizations for asthma, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and heart attacks are not experienced equally across Vermont. Differences in access to healthy housing, transportation and healthcare may contribute to these disparities.

Did you know?

Looking at hospitalization data by race can help us understand where disparities exist and identify opportunities to improve health outcomes.


Explore the Data

Explore the interactive report below to learn about hospitalization data by race in Vermont.

  • Click on the tabs and buttons to navigate within the reports.
  • Hover over or click on the graphs, tables and maps to learn more.
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What the Data Show

  • Rates of asthma, COPD, and heart attack visits vary across racial groups in Vermont.
  • The differences are not the same for every health condition. For example, Black people had the highest rate of asthma emergency department visits, while American Indians had the highest rate of COPD emergency department visits.
  • Heart attack visit rates were highest among White people and American Indians, while rates were lower among Asians and Black people living in Vermont.
  • These differences can help us understand where health inequities exist and where more attention may be needed to improve health outcomes for all Vermonters.

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Putting the Data into Action

Understanding differences in health outcomes can help communities and public health professionals identify where additional support may be needed. We can use this information to:

  • Address environmental and social conditions that can affect health, such as housing quality, air quality, and access to healthcare.
  • Improve access to prevention, treatment, and ongoing care for conditions such as asthma, COPD, and heart disease.
  • Work with communities to better understand the factors contributing to differences in health outcomes and develop solutions that reflect their needs and experiences.
  • Use data to help identify and address health inequities and track progress toward better health for people living in Vermont.

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More Information

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