SALT LAKE CITY — To inform local decision-makers and community partners, the Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute recently launched “Northwest Valley Datapoints,” a series of fact sheets designed to provide important data about Northwest Salt Lake County. The third installment explores health metrics for the region, including access to health care, health outcomes, and social drivers of health.
“While Northwest Salt Lake County is a vibrant and growing region, differences in health outcomes persist,” said Melanie Beagley, senior health research analyst at the Gardner Institute. “Addressing these differences in health care access, preventive check-ups, and social drivers of health ensures all residents have the opportunity to live healthy lives.”
Key findings from the research include the following:
Uninsured Rates – Northwest Valley’s uninsured rate is 17.3%, nearly double state and county averages. In Glendale and Rose Park, one in five residents lacks health insurance.
Hospital Access – Northwest Valley currently has one hospital. The new University of Utah Eccles Hospital and Health Campus will open in West Valley City in 2028, improving health care access for residents.
Cost-Related Barriers – Low-income residents are three times more likely to be uninsured and twice as likely to cite cost as a barrier to care. Nearly one in four young adults also skip necessary care due to financial barriers.
Preventive Care – Preventive care rates for medical and dental check-ups in Northwest Valley are lower than county and state averages. Insured adults receive preventive care almost twice as often as uninsured residents.
Life Expectancy and Obesity Rates – Some Northwest Valley communities face life expectancies over four years shorter than county and state averages. Obesity rates are significantly higher, approaching 50% in Kearns and Magna.
Mental Health – Poor mental health has risen sharply among young adults (18-34), with 38.5% reporting poor mental health; rates are also high among low-income residents.
Disability Rates – Nearly one in three Northwest Valley adults report a disability, exceeding county and state averages. Magna has the highest rate at 40.7%, and low-income adults are disproportionately affected.
Food Insecurity and Transportation Hurdles – Over one in four households in Northwest Valley worry about affording nutritious food, with Kearns having the highest rates. Transportation gaps severely limit access to essential services and healthy food in some communities.
The fact sheet is now available online.
ABOUT THE KEM C. GARDNER POLICY INSTITUTE
The Kem C. Gardner Policy Institute serves Utah by preparing economic, demographic, and public policy research that helps the state prosper. We are Utah’s demographic experts, leaders on the Utah economy, and specialists on public policy and survey research. We are an honest broker of INFORMED RESEARCH, which guides INFORMED DISCUSSIONS, and leads to INFORMED DECISIONS™. For more information, please visit gardner.utah.edu or call 801-587-3717.
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