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Tuesday, June 09, 2009 11:43 AM

County’s big health woe: Unemployment

By COURTNEY SERVAES, Herald Staff Writer

The manager of an Ottawa employment agency has some advice for the unemployed ­­— keep trying.

According to an inaugural report by the Kansas Health Institute, Franklin County’s unemployment rate ranked 97th out of 105 counties in Kansas — indicating that one of the county’s major health problems is finding jobs.

And even though most people might not immediately associate good health with having a job, officials say unemployment can have a big impact on health.

Midge Ransom, Franklin County Health Department director, said unemployment can lead to health problems and, in some instances, relationship problems.

“One of the things we know is that employment often allows people the funds and means to get health care,” Ransom said. “There is a direct connection.”

That’s why it’s important for people to keep looking for a job, Nancy Defenbaugh, manager of Ottawa’s Manpower office,  said.

Defenbaugh said even if you have to take a job you don’t necessarily want, it’s better than not having a job at all.

“Get your foot in the door,” Defenbaugh said. “You never know where it will lead.”

Manpower is an international employment agency, and Defenbaugh said she knows there are many Ottawans looking for jobs.

“I really feel like in Kansas we’re seeing that high unemployment rate,” she said.

That could be part of the reason Franklin County ranked 70th out of 105 in terms of overall health, according to the study. Other concerns were a high divorce rate and presence of respiratory hazards in the air.

“(The study) kind of helps us look at what some of our strengths and weaknesses are,” Ransom said. “It shows us the areas where we may need to focus our efforts in improving our health.”

In addition to unemployment, the divorce rate in Franklin County is fairly high, according to the study.

“What (the rankings) tell me is that if we’re that much higher than the average county in Kansas, we need to look at what’s causing the higher divorce rates,” Ransom said. “Financial stresses could be playing a part in that.”

Ransom said things like the divorce and unemployment rates are important to monitor because they are related directly to overall health.

“Divorce is a mental health issue and an emotional health issue,” she said.

Another one of the county’s top health problems, the respiratory hazards index, represents chemicals present in the air, Ransom said.

“There’s a lot of things that go into that index, including dust and particles from fires,” she said.

Ransom said a Community Health Advisory Committee was formed last year to help gather data and combat health problems in the county.

“We will get the committee back together and look at these,” Ransom said. “Then we can make plans.”

The study wasn’t all bad news for the county, however. Franklin County ranked high in some areas that indicate the majority of Franklin County residents are covered by health insurance, live longer and do not engage in binge drinking.

Despite the rankings, Defenbaugh said she thinks things are looking up for Franklin County — at least in terms of unemployment.

“If they’re truly out there looking, then I’d say it’s getting better,” she said.

Courtney Servaes can be e-mailed at cservaes@ottawaherald.com

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