La. Admin. Code tit. 48 § I-10307

Current through Register Vol. 50, No. 9, September 20, 2024

Section I-10307 - Demographic Characteristics

A. Rural vs. Urban

1. In the last five years Louisiana has become an urban state. Eight geographic areas now meet the definition of a Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). The MSA's in Louisiana are listed in Figure 3.3.

Figure 3.3
MSA	Parish
New Orleans-Orleans
Jefferson
St. Tammany
St. Bernard
St. John
St.Charles
Baton Rouge-East Baton Rouge
W. Baton Rouge
Livingston
Ascension
Shreveport-Caddo
Bossier
Lafayette-Lafayette
St. Martin
Houma-Thibodaux
Terrebonne
Lafourche
Lake Charles-Calcasieu
Monroe-Quachita
Alexandria-Rapides
Source: U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of the Census current Population Report (P-26 No 82-18-C, April 1984)

2. Forty-five parishes meet the definition of rural. (See Figure 3.1). However, approximately 70 percent of the state's population reside in the state's eight MSA's according to 1985 estimates prepared by the U.S. Bureau of Census. The urban vs rural factor is important in health planning. Attempts must be made to assure that adequate emergency and primary health care services are available to residents of sparsely populated areas, while maintaining a cost effective and high quality health care system.

B. Per Capita Income

1. In 1983, Louisianians had a total personal income of nearly $45 billion dollars compared to $30.5 billion in 1979. While some areas of the state, particularly the southeastern portion of the state, experienced economic growth in the years between 1979 and 1983, Louisiana's per capita income remains far below the national average (see table 3.2).

2. In 1979, Louisiana's per capita income was 13.3 percent below that of the nation. In 1983, Louisiana's per capita income rose to $10,262 with the national average at $11,700. Thus, the difference in Louisiana's per capita income and that of the nation decreased to 12.3 percent in 1983.

3. According to the Division of Business Research at Louisiana State University the overall outlook suggests that the Louisiana economy will be restrained until the latter half of 1986. The State's unemployment rate of 13 percent is well above the national unemployment rate of 7 percent (Louisiana Labor Market Information, March 1986).

4. In 37 of the 64 parishes the per capita income is less than 75 percent of the national average. The poorer parishes are concentrated in the central and northern areas of the state. The parishes of the Cenla District have the lowest per capita income in the state with a per capita income of $7,789.

5. There are, however, five parishes that exceed the national average in per capita income: Lafayette, Jefferson, St. Charles, East Baton Rouge and St. Tammany (see Table 3.2).

Table 3.2 Per Capita Personal Income By District And Parish 1983
Louisiana	$10,262	U.S.	$11,700
Planning District
1. New Orleans	$11,675	6. Cenla	$ 7,789
Jefferson	12,449	776 miles	6,544
Orleans	11,271	Catahoula	6,980
Plaquemines	10,430	Concordia	8,766
St. Bernard	10,772	Grant	6,993
St. Charles	11,982	LaSalle	7,088
St. John	10,119	Natchitoches	7,498
Rapides	8,609
2. Capital	$10,750	Vernon	7,360
Ascension	10,041	Winn	7,099
EBR	11,993
E. Feliciana	7,398	7. Northwest	$10,133
Iberville	9,059	Bienvilie	8,376
Livingston	8,635	Bossier	9,639
Point Coupee	8,861	Caddo	11,370
St. Helena	6,338	Claiborne	8,589
WBR	9,331	DeSoto	8,660
W. Feliciana	6,252	Red River	7,054
Sabine	5,933
3. Bayou	$10,122	Webster	9,289
Assumption	8,327
Lafourche	9,943	8. Northeast	$ 8,246
St. James	10,663	Caldwell	6,930
St. Mary	10,658	E. Carroll	6,853
Terrebonne	10,230	Franklin	6,396
Jackson	8,547
4. Acadiana	$ 9,313	Lincoln	8,971
Acadia	8,551	Madison	5,668
Evangeline	7,343	More House	7,828
Iberia	10,925	Ouachita	9,300
Lafayette	13,399	Richland	7,722
St. Landry	7,650	Tensas	7,242
St. Martin	8,116	Union	8,013
Vermilion	9,817	W. Carroll	6,105
5. Southwest	$ 9,749	9. Northshore	$ 9,676
Allen	6,950	St. Tammany	11,744
Beauregard	7,910	Tangipahoa	7,479
Calcasieu	10,679	Washington	8,035
Cameron	10,487
Jeff Davis	8,197

Source: "Survey of Current Business" April 1985: 52 Estimates of the Population of Louisiana Parishes, 1983, Bureau of the Census.

C. Poverty and Income Supports

1. Even though personal income in a few areas exceeds the national average, the state has a large population of low income residents who do not have sufficient income to meet the basic personal needs of household members. The extent to which this is true is revealed by data on the utilization of income support programs provided by the Offices of Family Security, Management and Finance, and Human Development. According to information obtained from these sources, approximately 230,672 of the state's 4,527,545 citizens received income assistance from the state in 1985 through the Aid to Families with Dependent Children program, at a cost of $12,970,920. State supplementation of the Federal Supplemental Security Income Program was paid to 8,046 persons at a cost of $76,293. Viet Nam and Cambodian Refugee Assistance was paid to 277 persons at a cost of $16,533. In 1985, 698 persons received general assistance at a cost of $61,757. Disaster Assistance to 1,492 persons cost the state $5,614,208 in 1985. The State Foster Care Program, including certified foster families, residential care and relative placements, served 5,603 persons in 1985 at a cost of $14,894,265. The total number of individuals supported totally or in part by these income maintenance programs in 1985 was over 246,000 or over 5 percent of the population. This does not include persons receiving employment related benefits, such as unemployment compensation or employee disability.

2. Recipients of income maintenance payments are also certified for Medicaid (Title XIX) benefits. In addition, the state provided Medicaid benefits to individuals found eligible for medical assistance on the basis of incurred medical costs which exceeded their resources (Medically Needy Program). In 1984, 316,581 individuals received benefits under the Medicaid program at a cost of $708,071,316.

3. Another income supplement program that is highly utilized by the citizens of the state is the Food Stamp Program. In 1985, approximately 215,442 households and 659,058 persons received food stamps at a cost of $32,125,082.

4. There is a large number of individuals at or below the poverty level who receive no benefits from income support programs. According to the Division of Policy, Planning and Evaluation, Research Bureau's 1984 Report, there are 216,405 families in Louisiana with incomes at or below the poverty level. Therefore, 19 percent of all Louisiana families have incomes at or below the poverty level, while 11.7 percent of all families in the U.S. have incomes at or below this level. Of the families in Louisiana with incomes at or below the poverty level, only 33.6 percent receive AFDC according to DPPE statistics. In looking at the U.S. as a whole, 51.5 percent of the families in poverty receive AFDC. These figures indicate that Louisiana has a significantly greater percentage of families with incomes at or below the poverty level than does the nation. However, the state provides income support to 18 percent fewer of its poor than does the nation.

5. Poverty areas are defined by the Bureau of Census as a census tract, a census parish division or a minor civil division in which 20 percent or more of the Poverty areas have incomes below the poverty level. Table 3.3 shows the proportions of parishes in which the percent of families with income less than poverty level exceeds 20.0 percent. There are 25 such parishes, according to 1980 census data.

Table 3.3 Proportion of Parishes in Which the Percent of Families with Income Less Than Poverty Level Exceeds 20.0x (1980) Louisiana
Planning Districts
1. New Orleans	1/6	6. Cenla	5/9
Jefferson	7.8%	Avoyelles	25.6%
Orleans	21.8%	Catahoula	25.8%
Plaquemines	12.2%	Concordia	21.7%
St. Bernard	7.4%	Grant	18.3%
St. Charles	11.9%	LaSalle	17.2%
St. John	12.1%	Natchitoches	21.8%
Rapides	15.4%
2. Capital 3/9	Vernon	15.8%
Ascension	12.4%	Winn	21.6%
EBR	11.7%
E. Feliciana	17.7%	7. Northwest	4/8
Iberville	18.7%	Bienville	20.9%
Livingston	11.3%	Bossier	10.2%
Point Coupee	23.1%	Caddo	13.1%
St. Helena	28.2%	Claiborne	20.9%
WBR	15.6%	DeSoto	20.3%
W. Feliciana	27.7%	Red River	22.8%
Sabine	18.9%	Webster	15.6%
3. Bayou	0/5
Assumption	17.7%
Lafourche	11.0%	8. Northeast	8/12
St. James	14.5%	Caldwell	21%
St. Mary	12.6%	E. Carroll	34.5%
Terrebonne	11.4%	Franklin	25.3%
4. Acadiana	2/7	Jackson	18.9%
Acadia	18.6%	Lincoln	14.7%
Evangeline	25.8%	Madison	32.9%
Iberia	11.8%	More House	25.8%
Lafayette	10.0%	Ouachita	16.2%
St. Landry	23.1%	Richland	28.6%
St. Martin	16.9%	Tensas	34.0%
Vermilion	14.1%	Union	17.5%
5. Southwest	0/5	West Carroll	29.5%
Allen	19.0%	9. Northshore	2/3
Beauregard	14.0%	St. Tammany	10.3%
Calcasieu	10.0%	Tangipahoa	21.4%
Cameron	11.0%	Washington	21.0%
Jeff Davis	15.3%

Source: Bureau of The Census General Social and Economic Characteristics Table 181

6. The Northeast district (district eight) appears to have the largest percent of residents with incomes at or below the poverty level. More than 20 percent of the families have incomes that are less than the poverty level in eight out of the 12 parishes composing this district.

7. Poverty levels are important indicators for health planning purposes, since low income persons are usually not able to participate in the mainstream of the health care system. Lower socio-economic status is also correlated with higher incidences of disease and higher mortality rates. It is clear that there is a significant portion of Louisiana residents whose participation in the health care system is directly related to the availability of state or federally supported health care programs.

D. Age

1. The number of persons in the general population in specific age groups is important to health planning. Certain age groups are more likely than others to need certain types of health services (e.g., those over 65 years of age, infants and children), while some health services are needed exclusively by defined age groups (neonatal units and obstetrical services).

2. The 1980 Louisiana population by age is presented in Table 3.4. It is essential to identify the number of individuals age 65 and older in a population because of this group's significantly higher utilization of health care resources. The number of persons age 65 and over is represented in Table 3.5 broken down by district. Table 3.6 provides population projections for 1990 for the 65 + age group.

3. In 1980 11.3 percent of the U.S. population was 65 years of age or older. The 1980 Louisiana population of 65 + was 9.6 percent. However there are areas in Louisiana where the proportion of older people exceeds the national average.

4. In 1970 9.9 percent of the U.S. population was 65 years of age or older. This is an important benchmark, as this percentage was the basis, in part, for the establishment of the commonly accepted hospital bed need standard of 4 beds per 1,000 population. For that reason, in this planning document 9.9 percent of the population age 65 + is accepted as a standard against which the aged population in the State is evaluated. Where the population of persons age 65 + is more than 9.9 percent, those institutional health care services utilized heavily by this age group should be available in appropriately larger numbers.

5. As can be seen in Table 3.5, there are three planning districts with populations of persons age 65 + which exceed 9.9 percent, the Cenla, Northwest, and Northeast Districts. It is necessary that health planners and providers of health services give special consideration to the needs of the aged population in the three planning districts, where older people represent a disproportionately large segment of the population.

6. Another segment of the population requiring special attention by persons planning for and providing health services is that made up of children and youth between the ages of birth and 14 years. This age group requires substantially more primary care services than the 15-64 age group, in the form of periodic and developmental examinations, immunizations, and diagnostic and treatment services for relatively frequent episodes of acute illness and developmental problems.

7. According to 1980 census data, the Louisiana population under age 15 represents 25.7 percent of the overall population. This compares to the 1980 national average of 22.64 percent of the population 14 and under. The national average of persons under 15 was 28.49 percent in 1970, while the Louisiana average was 31.76 percent. The declining numbers of individuals in the age group under 15 years is reflective of the declining birth rate.

8. The Louisiana population under 15 years declined at a slightly faster rate (.25 percent) than in the U.S. as a whole during the decade 19701980. Even so, Louisiana still exceeds the U.S. by 3 percent in proportion of persons under 15 years of age. The number of Louisiana residents under 15 declined 6.6 percent between 1970 and 1980.

Table 3.4 Population By Age Group
1970		1980
Number	Percent	Number	Percent
Total	3,644,637	100.0	4,205,971	100.0
Under 15	1,156,439	31.8	1,079,462	25.7
15-64	2,179,491	59.8	2,722,230	64.7
65 or older	307,707	8.4	404,279	9.6
Median Age	24		27.4

Source: Population Projections for 1985 and 1990:Vincent Maruggi and Paul Fletes UNO - June 1983

Table 3.5 Estimated Population 65 Years and Older, and Its Percentage within the Population
1980 Population 65 years and older	1980 Census Population	% of Persons 65 years and older
Louisiana	404,279	4,205,971	9.6
Planning Districts
1. New Orleans	108,009	1,171,436	9.2
2. Capital	44,936	591,384	7.6
3. Bayou	20,396	284,708	7.2
4. Acadiana	43,651	476,339	9.2
5. Southwest	24,468	259,809	9.4
6. Cenla	39,619	356,241	11.1
7. Northwest	56,382	471,632	12.0
8. Northeast	44,737	358,578	12.5
9. Northshore	22,081	235,774	9.4

SOURCE: Population Projections for 1985 and 1990: Vincent Maruggi and Paul FletesUNO - June 1983

Table 3.6 Interim Projections of Population Aged 65 and Over
1980	1985	1990
Louisiana	404,279	441,235	472,049
Planning Districts
1. New Orleans	108,009	120,847	133,971
2. Capital	44,937	49,615	54,586
3. Bayou	20,396	22,896	25,266
4. Acadiana	43,651	47,366	49,711
5. Southwest	24,468	27,146	29,366
6. Cenla	39,619	41,912	42,788
7. Northwest	56,382	59,351	61,191
8. Northeast	44,737	46,744	46,980
9. Northshore	22,081	25,358	28,190

SOURCE: Population Projection for 1985 and 1990: Vincent Maruggi and Paul Fletes UNO - June 1983

Table 3.6 Interim Projections of Population Aged 65 and Over Louisiana 1980-1985
1980	1981	1982	1983	1984	1985
Louisiana	403,939	410,354	416,770	423,185	429,600	436,020
HSA I (1,3)	132,313	134,719	137,125	139,531	141,937	144,344
HSA II (2,4,5)	132,240	134,799	137,358	139,917	142,476	145,041
HSA 111(6,7,8)	139,386	140,836	142,287	143,737	145,187	116,635
Planning Districts
1. New Orleans	112,065	113,984	115,903	117,822	119,741	121,659
2. Capital	59,862	61,184	62,506	63,828	65,150	66,469
3. Bayou	20,248	20,735	21,222	21,709	22,196	22,685
4. Acadiana	48,076	48,918	49,760	50,602	51,444	52,293
5. Southwest	24,302	24,697	25,092	25,487	25,882	26,279
6. Cenla	33,915	34,344	34,773	35,202	35,631	36,059
7. Northwest	66,907	67,642	68,377	69,112	69,846	70,585
8. Northeast	38,564	38,850	39,137	39,423	39,710	39,991

SOURCE: Computed from Louisiana State Planning Office projections for 1980 and 1985

9. These statistics suggest a need to improve quality in health care services for the under 15 age group and to identify previously unmet health needs, such as those of primary care for this segment of the population in poor and/or rural areas of the state. Poverty and lack of accessibility to health care services are known to increase the risk of poor health. With declining numbers of children in rural areas, there is a need to develop innovative and cost effective means of delivering primary health services to this increasingly isolated, high risk age group in rural areas.

E. Race

1. Another characteristic of a population which is important for health planners is its ethnic composition. It has been observed that non-whites in the population are at greater risk for poorer health than whites. Trends Affecting the U.S. Health Care System, prepared by Cambridge Research Institute, January, 1976. The degree to which this factor is interrelated with other risk factors such as lower socio-economic status, living in areas of high population density, living in rural areas and high birth rate is not established. Nonetheless, it is important to consider the greater need for health services among the non-white population in planning the development of health system resources.

2. The Louisiana population by racial composition is depicted in Table 3.7. The state's population is 29.3 percent black, according to 1980 census data. The New Orleans, Northeast and Northwest Planning Districts have the largest black populations, 34.2 percent, 34.0 percent and 33.8 percent respectively.

Table 3.7 Louisiana Population by Race 1980
Total	White/Other	Black	Percent Black
Louisiana	4,205,971	2,992,676	1,233,917	29.3%
Planning Districts
1. New Orleans	1,171,436	770,681	400,755	34.2%
2. Capital	591,453	407,027	184,426	31.2%
3. Bayou	284,708	225,317	59,391	20.9%
4. Acadiana	476,339	358,861	117,478	25.7%
5. Southwest	259,809	207,716	52,093	20.1%
6. Cenla	356,241	264,358	91,883	25.8%
7. Northwest	471,633	312,230	159,403	33.8%
8. Northeast	358,578	236,860	121,718	34.0%
9. Northshore	235,774	184,310	51,464	21.8%

Table 3.7a Louisiana Population By Race (Projections) 1990
Total	White/Other	Black	Percent Black
Louisiana	4,849,328	3,396,045	1,452,995	30.0%
Planning Districts
1. New Orleans	1,331,662	845,055	486,607	36.5%
2. Capital	721,062	495,588	225,474	31.3%
3. Bayou	331,025	263,271	67,754	20.5%
4. Acadiana	547,825	412,610	135,215	24.7%
5. Southwest	293,849	234,695	59,154	20.1%
6. Cenla	393,875	291,798	102,077	26.0%
7. Northwest	530,544	349,468	181,077	34.1%
8. Northeast	392,339	257,415	134,924	19.8%
9. Northshore	306,858	246,145	60,713	19.8%

Table 3.8 Percent Non-White Population, Louisiana, Selected States and the U.S. 1930-1980
1930	1940	1950	1960	1970	1980
Louisiana	37.3	36.1	33.1	32.1	30.2	30.8
U.S.	11.3	10.2	10.4	11.5	12.5	16.8
Alabama	35.8	34.8	31.5	30.1	26.4	26.2
Arkansas	25.8	24.8	22.5	21.9	18.6	17.3
Florida	29.5	27.2	21.9	17.9	15.8	16.0
Georgia	36.9	34.8	30.9	28.6	26.1	27.7
Mississippi	50.4	49.4	45.5	42.3	37.2	35.9
Texas	26.5	14.5	12.8	12.6	13.2	21.3
The South	25.1	24.0	21.9	20.9	19.7	21.8

3. Table 3.8 depicts the changes in the non-white population of the State as compared to the U.S. and to selected other states in the South. There was a declining proportion of non-whites in the state over the period 1930-1970. This decline leveled off and was slightly reversed in the decade between 1970 and 1980.

F. Sex

1. The composition of a population by sex, race and age is important in health planning. For example, the number of females in a population group age 15-44 provides an estimate of the need for obstetrical and neonatal services and has an indirect bearing on needed pediatric inpatient and outpatient services.

2. Table 3.9 provides 1985 statistics on the composition of the Louisiana population by age and sex compared to the U.S.

Table 3.9

Louisiana Population By Age & Sex 1980

Both Sexes	%	Male	%	Female	%
Total	4,205,971	100.0	2,039,929	48.5	2,166,042	51.5
Under 15	1,079,214	25.7	548,447	13.0	530,767	12.6
15-44	1,977,551	47.0	978,843	23.3	998,708	23.7
45-64	744,927	17.7	350,046	8.3	394,881	9.4
65 and Older	404,279	9.6	162,593	3.9	241,686	5.7

Table 3.9a

Louisiana Population by Age and Sex (Projections For 1990)

Both Sexes	%	Male	%	Female	%
Total	4,849,038	100.0	2,372,187	48.9	2,476,851	51.1
Under 15	1,244,844	25.7	632,013	13.0	611,831	12.6
15-44	2,326,326	48.0	1,171,697	24.2	1,154,629	23.8
45-64	806,809	16.6	378,742	7.8	428,067	8.8
65 and Older	472,059	9.7	189,735	3.9	282,324	5.8

Table 3.10

Louisiana and U.S. Birth Statistics

1984

	Number and Percent of Births				Birth Rate Per 1000
	Louisiana		U.S		LA	U.S.
Total	81,428	100	3,697,000	100	18.2	15.7
White	49,171	60.4	-	-	15.7	-
Nonwhite	32,257	39.6	-	-	24.0	-

1979

	Number and Percent of Births				Birth Rate Per 1000
	Louisiana		U.S		LA	U.S.
Total	74,831	100	3,333,279	100	18.9	15.3
White	45,099	60.3	2,679,956	80.4	16.3	14.2
Nonwhite	29,732	39.7	653,323	19.6	24.8	22.1

Source: Louisiana Vital Statistics Report 1984 advance Final Report, PHS - 1984 Series No 2. Nov, 1985

G. Birth Rate

1. The birth rate of any population is the most dynamic component of its growth and is indicative of the fertility of the population. This, in turn, directly affects the age composition and size of the population group. Such rates have an immediate impact on the demand for hospital obstetric services, neonatal and pediatric units, with further long-range implications on other health care services.

2. As shown in Table 3.10, the Louisiana birth rate is 18.2 per 1,000 population as calculated from the 1984 Louisiana Vital Statistics Report. This breaks down to a 15.7 per 1,000 for whites and 24.0 per 1,000 for nonwhites. This significant difference in rates is important to note since geographic areas with large percentages of non-whites have a higher utilization rate for obstetric beds and a disproportionate need for health care services related to maternal and child care. The U.S. birth rate is significantly lower than the Louisiana rate, due in part, but not completely, to a higher percentage of non-whites in the State's population.

3. Table 3.11 presents statistics depicting the Louisiana birth rate over the period 1940-1984. Since a peak of 30.6 births per 1,000 in 1954, the birth rate steadily declined until 1974, with a rate of 17.5 per 1,000. During the period between 1974 and 1979, there was an annual increase in the birth rate. However, 1980 statistics provided a break in this upward trend. Statistics for the period of 1984 indicate somewhat of a leveling off of the birth rate. Health planners and providers of obstetrical and related services will need to take special care in evaluating the birth rate during the 1987-1990 period. A continuing increase in the birth rate could find certain areas of the state seriously lacking in obstetrical services.

Table 3.11 Louisiana Live Births and Birth Rate 1940-1980
Year	Number	Rate/ 1000	Year	Number	Rate/ 1000
1940	50,623	21.4	1960	90,126	27.7
1941	54,396	22.7	1961	88,892	26.8
1942	57,912	24.3	1962	88,005	26.1
1943	60,770	25.0	1963	85,334	24.9
1944	60,260	24.6	1964	86,060	24.7
1945	57,363	23.2	1965	79,533	22.5
1946	68,549	26.9	1966	77,223	21.5
1947	74,166	28.6	1967	75,199	20.7
1948	73,104	27.7	1968	74,098	20.2
1949	75,302	28.3	1969	74,770	20.1
1950	76,108	28.4	1970	74,615	20.5
1951	80,256	29.5	1971	73,014	19.8
1952	80,046	29.1	1972	68,340	18.3
1953	84,108	30.2	1973	66,413	17.6
1954	86,225	30.6	1974	65,880	17.5
1955	86,031	30.2	1975	67,792	17.9
1956	89,333	29.1	1976	69,998	18.1
1957	90,786	29.0	1977	74,989	19.1
1958	90,175	28.3	1978	74,831	18.9
1959	90,814	27.9	1979*	78,631	19.6
1980*	81,268	19.3

SOURCES: L.S.U.N.O. Division of Business and Economic Research, Statistical Abstract of Louisiana, Sixth Edition 1977 Louisiana Department of Health and Human Resources, Louisiana Vital Statistics Report, 1976-1980 *Provisional Statistics

4. The declining birth rate of the 1960's and first half of the 1970's can be attributed to many reasons, including:

a. better and more widely available contraceptive and family planning methods;

b. an economy which requires an increasing number of women to work to provide sufficient income for the family and/or requires that the number of children be limited;

c. less restrictive abortion laws;

d. an increasing awareness of the need to restrain population growth in light of the finiteness of the earth's resources.

5. The increasing birth rate of the latter part of the 1970's is seen as a result of significant numbers of women who had postponed pregnancy until the latter part of their child-bearing years. Fluctuations in the economy also have substantial impact on the birth rate, with increased births in periods of economic recovery.

6. Although 1984 statistics indicate a reduction, Louisiana's birthrate continues to exceed the national average by 3.5 births per 1,000, according to the 1984 Louisiana Vital Statistics Report.

7. The fertility rate of a population is another means by which to analyze population growth patterns and to project health service needs. Birth rates are derived simply by averaging the number of births per 1000 general population. Fertility rates are developed by selecting only the population of females in child-bearing years, age 15-44, for analysis. This provides important information because of the variations in the numbers of females age 15-44 living in various sections of the state. "Age-race-specific fertility rates" are the number of live births per 1,000 females in the given age-race group and permit an even more accurate analysis of birth rates in a given locale.

8. Table 3.12 presents data on age-race-specific fertility rates in Louisiana and in the nine health planning districts for 1984. The fertility rate for the black population is significantly higher than the white population for all age groups, but particularly higher for females under age 20. Regions VII and VIII have the highest fertility rates in the 10-14 age group with 3.48 per 1,000 and 4.88 per 1,000 respectively. Regions VI and VII show the highest fertility rates in the 15-19 age group with 89.43 per 1,000 and 78.55 per 1,000 respectively. These statistics indicate a need to address the problems represented by teen-age pregnancies, such as the need for improved family planning and human sexuality education initiative

Table 3.12 Age-Race-Specific Fertility Rate*=of Live Births to Females in Given Age-Race Group/Total # of Females in Same Age-Race Group
Age of Mother
10-14	15-19	20-24	25-29	30-34	35-39	40-44**
Louisiana	2.43	71.09	129.95	114.71	63.09	22.14	0.70
White	0.67	51.41	117.59	110.55	57.12	17.79	0.47
Black	1.68	106.53	155.09	124.26	78.24	33.99	1.35
Region I	2.07	67.15	116.02	107.00	63.14	22.94	0.71
White	0.55	39.12	91.51	99.07	56.81	19.11	0.47
Black	3.97	104.05	154.11	121.11	75.29	30.55	1.33
Region II	0.90	2.16	60.98	117.35	112.27	65.38	22.73
White	0.62	44.59	110.15	108.87	58.66	18.34	0.52
Black	4.98	89.83	131.67	119.79	81.75	34.00	1.85
Region III	2.30	0.79	74.91	136.74	120.61	55.61	23.85
White	0.94	60.32	120.48	110.69	47.85	17.35	0.67
Black	6.53	120.23	193.28	158.64	85.68	50.44	1.33
Region IV	1.87	67.04	137.50	133.57	76.16	27.16	0.78
White	0.97	53.83	131.00	129.68	70.62	21.83	0.53
Black	4.10	97.07	154.68	146.05	95.51	45.06	1.67
Region V	0.93	65.50	143.14	123.76	60.56	20.60	0.69
White	0.48	56.95	138.96	121.54	55.81	17.10	0.52
Black	2.43	93.39	157.46	131.93	80.14	36.83	1.53
Region VI	1.58	78.55	154.57	115.57	56.14	19.21	0.47
White	0.29	66.23	144.45	109.81	46.54	15.27	0.26
Black	4.65	105.91	179.10	131.30	86.55	33.72	1.18
Region VII	3.48	89.43	150.12	111.40	57.66	18.92	0.56
White	0.81	61.47	138.12	110.86	54.86	13.90	0.32
Black	7.26	127.90	169.76	112.43	63.49	30.40	1.15
Region VIII	4.88	77.90	120.21	101.93	57.58	18.22	0.65
White	0.58	51.14	110.07	97.01	47.85	14.11	0.53
Black	11.08	115.13	136.35	111.19	79.52	29.11	0.93
Region IX	3.30	70.06	139.17	132.67	68.93	21.93	0.69
White	0.87	52.20	128.50	133.93	67.52	18.68	0.62
Black	10.83	121.28	171.32	128.04	75.56	39.39	1.03

*Rate per 1000 females in same age and race group.

**40-44 rate contains all births to those 40 and older.

9. The effect of large numbers of early teen-age pregnancies on the state is seen in a variety of negative ways. Teen-age mothers are often unmarried and their children frequently must depend on the state and federal government for financial support. Illegitimate births to young teenagers also account for a disproportionate number of infants with birth defects and other difficulties associated with high risk pregnancy. Too, children of young, unwed mothers often do not receive appropriate early childhood health care and do not have access, because of poverty, to a full spectrum of health care.

10. The incidence of illegitimate births in Louisiana is depicted in Table 3.13. Of the children born in Louisiana in 1984, 26.6 percent were illegitimate. The incidence of illegitimate births was highest in North Louisiana and lowest in Central Louisiana. The incidence of illegitimacy is nine percent among whites and 54 percent among non-whites, with the highest rates seen among the non-white population of the predominantly rural, economically deprived Northwest and Northeast districts. In these areas there is an urgent need for improved family planning and health education programs among non-whites.

Table 3.13 Illegitimate Births by Place of Mother's Usual Residence and Race of Child Louisiana, 1980
Total		White		NonWhite
Illeg. Births	Ratio/1000 Live Births	Illeg. Births	Ratio/1000 Live Births	Illeg. Births	Ratio/1000 Live Births
Louisiana	19,043	234.3	3,485	70.3	15,558	490.7
HSA I (1,3)	6,992	243.8	1,175	70.3	5,817	485.9
HSA II (2,4,5)	6,232	204.4	1,442	72.1	4,790	456.8
HSA III (6,7,8)	5,819	263.3	868	67.5	4,951	535.6
1. New Orleans	5,876	265.0	899	73.5	4,977	500.7
Jefferson	1,213	147.8	406	64.5	807	422.5
Orleans	4,222	410.8	309	108.6	3,913	526.5
Plaquemines	101	175.3	38	92.5	63	381.8
St. Bernard	84	76.9	53	52.1	31	413.3
St. Tammany	256	126.6	93	55.9	163	454.0
2. Capital	3,128	225.7	489	58.5	2,639	479.9
Ascension	175	174.0	35	49.4	140	468.2
E. Baton Rouge	1,498	215.4	223	54.9	1,275	440.9
E. Feliciana	110	290.2	6	33.7	104	517.4
Iberville	240	350.4	32	102.6	208	557.6
Livingston	122	103.7	72	67.4	50	467.3
Pointe Coupee	124	262.7	7	30.0	117	489.5
St. Helena	50	340.1	2	36.4	48	521.7
Tangipahoa	483	289.0	69	74.4	414	557.2
Washington	180	221.9	26	52.7	154	484.3
W. Baton Rouge	105	251.2	14	55.3	91	551.5
W. Feliciana	41	290.8	3	42.3	38	542.9
3. Bayou	1,116	171.4	276	61.6	840	413.6
Assumption	121	251.6	15	54.2	106	519.6
Lafourche	258	152.1	83	61.2	175	516.2
St. Charles	148	208.2	28	62.1	120	461.5
St. James	111	250.6	8	41.5	103	412.0
St. John	151	198.4	15	37.5	136	376.7
Terrebonne	327	135.2	127	70.5	200	324.1
4. Acadiana	2,268	198.0	634	81.7	1,634	441.6
Acadia	236	202.4	91	103.1	145	512.4
Evangeline	122	192.7	31	72.3	91	446.1
Iberia	314	215.4	84	89.8	230	439.8
Lafayette	526	169.7	157	69.9	369	433.1
St. Landry	383	215.0	73	72.7	310	399.0
St. Martin	201	220.2	48	87.9	153	416.9
St. Mary	303	217.2	73	80.8	230	467.5
Vermilion	183	180.8	77	95.1	106	524.8
5. Southwest	836	161.9	319	82.3	517	401.7
Allen	72	184.6	33	115.0	39	378.6
Beauregard	58	108.8	36	79.2	22	278.5
Calcasieu	553	163.5	187	76.0	366	396.5
Cameron	24	130.4	18	105.9	6	428.6
Jeff Davis	129	191.1	45	88.8	84	500.0
6. Cenla	1,138	191.2	267	67.3	871	439.5
Avoyelles	155	209.7	26	53.4	129	511.9
Catahoula	48	244.9	7	56.5	41	569.4
Concordia	137	417.7	23	143.8	114	678.6
Grant	51	190.3	19	91.8	32	524.6
LaSalle	40	149.3	21	90.5	19	527.8
Rapides	537	215.0	120	74.7	417	468.0
Vernon	104	76.7	46	47.7	58	148.0
Winn	66	221.5	5	26.6	61	554.5
7. Northwest	2,730	268.8	405	71.2	2,325	520.1
Bienville	82	263.7	10	65.4	72	455.7
Bossier	254	164.6	88	75.9	166	433.4
Caddo	1,521	306.3	194	77.5	1,327	538.6
Claiborne	91	303.3	3	23.8	88	505.7
DeSoto	141	295.0	11	43.3	130	580.4
Lincoln	148	271.6	13	47.6	135	496.3
Natchitoches	178	261.4	30	79.4	148	488.4
Red River	61	306.5	8	73.4	53	588.9
Webster	179	235.8	21	46.6	158	511.3
8. Northeast	1,951	325.7	196	61.3	1,755	628.6
Caldwell	27	174.2	9	73.2	18	562.5
E. Carroll	148	575.9	3	51.7	145	728.6
Franklin	140	324.8	17	69.1	123	664.9
Jackson	84	272.7	8	41.9	76	649.6
Madison	155	563.6	4	52.6	151	758.8
Morehouse	293	405.8	18	57.1	275	675.7
Ouachita	748	282.3	93	61.4	655	576.6
Richland	160	360.4	15	66.1	145	668.2
Tensas	67	458.9	1	22.7	66	647.1
Union	78	221.6	8	38.5	70	486.1
W. Carroll	51	203.2	20	101.5	31	574.1

SOURCE: Department of Health and Human Resources, Public Health Statistics, Louisiana Vital Statistics Report, Provisional Statistics, January-December, 1980

H. Summary of Demographic Characteristics

1. All of the demographic variables which have an impact on the need for and use of health care services should be considered when evaluating the health system and status of a geographic area. Factors which create a higher than average risk of death or illness are:

a. race-non-white

b. sex-male

c. residence-rural; or in area of high population density

d. age-65 + ; neonate

e. income-at or below poverty level.

2. Since Louisiana has a higher percentage of non-whites, neonates, poor, and rural individuals than the national average, there is a need for special efforts to be directed toward meeting the health needs of those at high risk of poor health. In part, inpatient and outpatient health care services at regional, state-supported general hospitals, and at parish health units are directed toward this large segment of the population considered to be "at risk". However, other services and other ways to bring this high risk population into the mainstream of the health care system need to be developed. Underlining all goals and objectives established in this document is the sometimes unstated goal of giving priority to the needs of those who are at high risk.

La. Admin. Code tit. 48, § I-10307

Promulgated by the Department of Health and Human Resources, Office of Management and Finance LR 13:246 (April 1987).

AUTHORITY NOTE: Promulgated in accordance with P.L. 93-641 as amended by P.L. 96-79, and R.S. 36:256(B).