Data, Research and Vital Statistics

Fast Facts - Maine Health Data

A composite of 2002* health status, health resources, and population data from the

Office of Data, Research and Vital Statistics
Bureau of Health
Maine Department of Health and Human Services

/dhhs/bohodr/index.shtml

*most recent year for which comparable data are available

Births

In 2002, 13,549 babies were born in Maine, an average of 37 births each day.The 2002 births continued a downward trend, begun in 1990, with the smallest number of births recorded since the reporting of vital events was mandated in 1892.

The birth rate also declined, going from 14.1 births/1,000 population in 1990, to 10.5 in 2002.Although this trend was observed nationally, too, the decline was slower: nationally the birth rate fell from 15.8 to 13.5 births/1,000 population.

Birth Rates Per Thousand Population by Year, Maine and U.S.: 1990-2002

Area	1990	1991	1992	1993	1994	1995	1996	1997	1998	1999	2000	2001	2002
Maine	14.1	13.6	13.0	12.1	11.6	11.2	11.1	11.0	11.0	10.7	10.7	10.7	10.5
U.S.	15.8	15.3	15.0	14.6	14.3	14.1	13.9	13.7	13.8	13.7	13.9	13.7	13.5

 

During 2002, 3,500 Maine babies were delivered by cesarean section (c-section) - 1 of every 4 births - a rate similar to what occurred nationally. During 1993 - 2002, resident births decreased by 10% while c-sections increased by 10%.Both the Maine and national rates are the highest ever reported.

Crude birth rate (number of births per 1,000 population):
Maine rate: 10.5	U.S. rate: 13.5

 

Births and Birth Rates by Mother’s Age* and Marital Status
Rate/1,000 Female Population
Age in Years	Number	Married	Unmarried
15-19	1,138	3.1	22.1
20-24	3,364	37.5	48.6
25-29	3,757	87.8	25.2
30-34	3,392	70.7	10.0
35-39	1,561	26.8	4.1
40-44	310	4.7	0.8

*Table excludes 27 births to mothers younger than 15, older than 44, and with unknown age.

2002 Vital Statistics data are preliminary.

National data are for whites only.

In 2002, 4,417 babies were born to unmarried women representing 33% of all births. In 1993, a decade ago, fewer births (4,058) occurred to unmarried women and represented 27% of all births.

Deaths

12,670 Maine residents died in 2002, resulting in a death rate of 9.8 deaths per 1,000 population. Maine’s age adjusted death rate, 8.5 deaths/1,000, is comparable to the national rate (8.3).

Deaths by Gender:
Male: 6,167	Female: 6,503

 

Name	Maine Rate	US Rate*
Crude death rate (number of deaths/1,000 population)	9.8	9.0
Age-adjusted** death rate:	8.5	8.3

10 Leading Causes of Death

Causes of Death	Number of Deaths
1. Cancer	3,202
2. Heart Disease	3,166
3. Cerebrovascular Disease	822
4. Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease	790
5. Alzheimer’s Disease	512
6. Accidents (Unintentional Injuries)	506
7. Diabetes Mellitus	405
8. Influenza and Pneumonia	316
9. Nephritis/Nephrotic Syndrome/Nephrosis	232
10. Suicide	166

* National Data are for Whites only.
**These are rates that have been standardized to eliminate differences due solely to variations in the age composition of the populations.

In 2002, 7,190 residents died from Cancer, Heart Disease, or Cerebrovascular Disease - Maine’s, and the nation’s, three leading causes of death – representing 57% of all Maine deaths. In 2002 for the first time in Maine, cancer became the leading cause of death. Heart disease, the number one killer for years, fell to second place. Nationally, heart disease remains the number one leading cause of death.

Number and Percent of Deaths By Age Group

Age at Death	Number	Percent of All Deaths
<20	154	1.2%
20-34	220	1.7%
35-54	1,043	8.2%
55-64	1,238	9.8%
65-74	2,268	17.9%
75 and older	7,747	61.1%
All ages	12,670	100.0%

BRFSS

Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System
Health Status: 2002

In 2002, the majority of Maine adults said their health was excellent, very good or good.  15% reported that their health was either fair or poor, similar to the nationwide rate of 14%.

Percentage of Maine adults who reported Fair or Poor Health Status by Age, Education, and Income
All	15.4%
Age Group
18-44	9.8%
45-54	15.0%
55-64	17.9%
65+	28.1%
Education
Less than High School	32.6%
High School Graduate	18.2%
Some College	14.7%
College Graduate	6.9%
Household Income
< $15,000	34.2%
$15,000-$24,999	21.2%
$25,000-$49,999	11.4%
>= $50,000	6.4%

People living in the Northeastern region of Maine in 2002 were more likely to report fair or poor health (27%). Those in the Southern region were less likely (11%), compared with the rest of Maine.

Population

The 2002 U.S. Census estimated population count ranked Maine’s population size as 40th in the country with a population of 1,297,750. The state’s population has increased by 2% - 20,000 people - since the 200 census.

Population in Rank Order of County: 2002
Cumberland	269,083
York	195,487
Penobscot	146,015
Kennebec	118,244
Androscoggin	104,805
Aroostook	73,122
Oxford	55,604
Hancock	52,359
Somerset	50,963
Knox	40,477
Waldo	37,628
Sagadohoc	35,983
Lincoln	34,407
Washington	33,401
Franklin	29,683
Piscataquis	17,203

Health Personnel

2002 Health Personnel*:	Total	Primary Care	Specialists	Unknown<
Allopathic Physicians	2,736	1,133	1,596	7
Osteopathic Physicians	383	221	162	0
Dentists	589	445	122	22
Rate/1,000 Population**:
Physicians(MDs & DOs)	2.4	1.0	1.4	1
Dentists	.5	.3	.1	1

* Data are for active respondents. Physician and dentist data are from the 2002 data files for each profession.
**Population data are from 2002 U.S. Census Bureau data files.

PRAMS

Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System

Births at Facilities and at Home: 2000-2002

During the 10 year period 1993-2002, 1,320 babies were born at home in Maine; this was 1% of live births — a rate consistent with what was observed nationally.

69% of mothers with facility births went to a doctor or HMO for prenatal care. Other prenatal care sources were hospital clinics (10%), family practice residency programs (8%), rural health centers (4%), and some other source (9%). Women with home births were more likely to use midwives or women’s health centers.

64% of mothers delivering at home reported personal income as a payment source for delivery. Health insurance or Medicaid/MaineCare were cited as more likely payment sources for women delivering in facilities.

Delivery Payment Sources, Maine PRAMS, 2000-2002
Birth Type	Medicaid	Personal Income	Health Insurance
Home Birth	2.6%	64.5%	12.4%
Facility Birth	37.4%	14.4%	61.8%

 

Women with facility births were more likely to have had a premature infant before their current birth than mothers with home births.

Please visit our Website at /dhhs/bohodr/index.shtml

Non-Discrimination Notice

The Maine Department of Health and Human Services (DHHS) does not discriminate on the basis of disability, race, color, creed, gender, age or national origin, in admission to, access to, or operations of its programs, services or activities, or its hiring or employment practices. Questions, concerns, complaints or requests for additional information regarding the ADA may be forwarded to the DHHS ADA/EEO Compliance Coordinators, SHS #11, Augusta, ME 04333-0011; (207)-287-4289 (voice) or (207)-287-3488 (voice); TTY: Maine relay 711. Individuals who need auxiliary aids or services for effective communication in programs and services of DHHS are invited to make their needs and preferences known to the ADA/EEO Compliance Coordinators. This information is available in alternate formats upon request.

Office of Data, Research, and Vital Statistics
Division of Public Health Systems
Maine Department of Health and Human Services
244 Water Street
11 State House Station
Augusta, Maine 04333-0011