Building a Heart-Healthier Frederick County
- melvina cherry
- Nov 29, 2025
- 5 min read
Cardiovascular disease remains a leading health challenge in Frederick County. Recent data reveal that many residents face risk factors such as high blood pressure, physical inactivity, obesity, and elevated alcohol consumption. These risks are especially pronounced in rural and low-income neighborhoods, where health disparities persist. Addressing these issues requires focused, data-driven strategies that improve heart health across the community.
Why Cardiovascular Disease Matters in Frederick County
Cardiovascular disease (CVD) is one of the top health concerns in Frederick County, according to the most recent Community Health Needs Assessment (CHNA). The data highlights several key risk factors that place residents at higher risk, including:
32% of adults have been diagnosed with high blood pressure
25% of adults lack physical activity due to limited access to safe recreational spaces in some neighborhoods
63% of adults are overweight or obese. Rising obesity rates are linked to diet and sedentary habits
16.7% report binge drinking
9.2% of residents experience food insecurity
These factors combine show why CVD is both a priority issue and a preventable one if we act now.
What This Research Explored
The Research focused on Frederick County shows that lifestyle behaviors have a substantial impact on cardiovascular outcomes. For example, residents who engage in regular physical activity and maintain a balanced diet tend to have lower rates of heart disease. Conversely, those facing economic hardship or lower educational attainment often encounter barriers to healthy living.
Age and race also play roles. Older adults naturally face higher risks, but minority populations in Frederick County experience disproportionate rates of CVD, partly due to limited healthcare access and social determinants of health. To understand the roots of this issue. I focused on three guiding research questions:
What lifestyle factors have the most substantial impact on heart health in Frederick County?
How do income, education, age, and race/ethnicity influence cardiovascular outcomes locally?
What community-wide strategies can meaningfully reduce CVD risk?
How the Research Was Conducted
The project employed a mixed-methods approach, drawing on both quantitative and qualitative data.
Quantitative Data Sources Included:
Frederick County CHNA (2023)
Maryland Department of Health reports
CDC heart disease and stroke indicators
U.S. Census Bureau data
BRFSS lifestyle and behavior indicators
Qualitative Data Sources Included:
Community feedback summaries from the CHNA community listening sessions
Themes from town-hall style community conversations
Reported barriers related to food access, physical activity, and stress
Research Design
A cross-sectional design was used to look at relationships between:
Physical inactivity
Obseity
Alcohol use
Socioeconomic factors
Hypertension prevalence
Because secondary data was used, no direct participant contact occurred; all data was anonymous and ethically reported
Understanding the Community: Frederick County Snapshot
Frederick County has a population of roughly 287,079 residents (U.S. Census, 2022), spread across urban, suburban, and rural communities. Critical demographic trends include:
Increasingly diverse population, including multiple immigrant communities
Growing older adult population- adults 65 plus increased from 13% (2010) to 16% in 2022
Economic differences between neighborhoods
Rural areas with low walkability
These factors help explain why heart-health needs vary across the county.
Ensuring Fairness, Objectivity, and Ethical Research
To maintain ethical integrity, this article's research was guided by these principles:
Relies exclusively on verified public health data
Cross-check statistics across multiple sources to avoid misinterpretation
Avoid assumptions about communities or populations
Acknowledges that secondary data may underrepresent certain subgroups
This approach ensures that findings remain objective and community-centered
Key Findings: What the Data Revealed
High blood pressure is a major issue- 32% of Frederick County adults have been diagnosed with high blood pressure, which increases the risk for heart disease and stroke.
Physical Inactivity is a significant Issue- Up to one-third of adults in Frederick report no regular physical activity. Physical inactivity is linked to obesity and CVD.
Obesity levels are high, with almost 63% of adults being overweight. This increases blood pressure, cholesterol, and inflammation.
Alcohol use exceeds healthy targets; 16.7% report binge drinking, and heavy drinking leads to high blood pressure and heart disease.
Hypertension is increasing, especially in adults aged 45 and above. High blood pressure is one of the most significant predictors of heart disease.
Walkability is low in certain areas- Rural neighborhoods have fewer sidewalks, parks, or safe activity spaces.
9.2% of the experience that food insecurity affects heart-healthy choices. Access to affordable fresh foods remains a challenge in some zip codes.
Data Alignment: How the Findings Support Community Action
Frederick County’s health officials rely on data from sources such as the Community Health Needs Assessment, the Maryland Department of Health, and the CDC to monitor cardiovascular trends. This data guides where to focus resources and which strategies show the most promise. To make sure the data aligned with the community health initiative, five criteria guided the analytical process:
Relevance: All data points are directly connected to cardiovascular health indicators.
Accuracy and Reliability - Data were sourced from trusted institutions, including the CDC, CHNA, and state health systems.
Timeliness - Most data were from the past 1-3 years, specifically 2021-2023, allowing for current planning.
Representativeness - The findings reflect the demographics and geography of Frederick County residents. County wide surveys and health indicators reflect broad population coverage.
Actionability- Every data point led to a strategy that the county can realistically implement.
Breaking Down the Data: Findings and Strategies
Here's how local data translates into practical solutions:
Findings | Statistic | Recommended Strategy |
High Physical Inactivity | 25% of adults inactive | Free/low-cost exercise & walking programs |
Elevated Binge Drinking | 16.7 % binge drink | Community alcohol awareness campaigns |
Hypertension on the rise | 32% diagnosed | Free BP screenings across the county |
Low Walkability | Rural areas flagged as unwalkable | Improve sidewalks, trails, safe routes |
Food Insecurity | 9.2% food insecure | Strengthen food access & produce programs |
What Frederick County Residents Can Do Right Now
Walking or biking regularly
Choosing balanced meals rich in fruits and vegetables
Limiting alcohol consumption
Getting routine health screenings
Supporting community health programs
Local organizations also welcome volunteers to help with event management and spreading awareness.
Moving Forward Together
Frederick County faces clear challenges related to cardiovascular disease, but the path to improvement is well-defined. By focusing on lifestyle changes, addressing social factors, and utilizing data to inform their efforts, the community can effectively reduce its risk of heart disease.
Everyone has a role to play, from policymakers and healthcare providers to residents themselves. Taking action today builds a healthier Frederick County for tomorrow. Consider joining local health initiatives or making minor changes to your daily routine to support your heart health.
Improve Walkability - Add bike lanes, sidewalks, and more trails.
Expand Healthy Food Access- Support mobile produce markets, grow community gardens, and increase local food pantries.
Address Alcohol Misuse - Offer community education, encourage early intervention, and partner with local bars and colleges on responsible drinking programs.
Support Blood Pressure Awareness- Provide free BP screening at local sites, offer free BP machines.
Center Health Equity- Create brochures in multiple languages and bring services directly to those in need.
My Role in Supporting Frederick County
As a public health practitioner and researcher, I plan to contribute by:
Creating toolkits and handouts on heart-healthy living
Hosting community workshops and webinars
Developing infographics and quick guide resources
Supporting screenings and health events
Partnering with local organizations to promote evidence-based strategies
A Healthier Frederick County Starts Now
Cardiovascular disease is a serious issue, but it is also highly preventable. With data-aligned strategies and community-wide collaboration, Frederick County can:
Reduce heart-related illness
Increase awareness and prevention
Make healthy choices easier and more accessible
Strengthen the well-being of all residents
BIG CHANGE BEGINS WITH SMALL STEPS!
References
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2023). Heart disease facts. https://www.cdd.gov/heartdisease
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2024). Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System. https://www.cdc.gov/brfss
Frederick County Health Department. (2023). Community health needs assessment. https://health.frederickcountymd.gov
U.S. Census Bureau. (2023). QuickFacts: Frederick County, Maryland. https://www.census.gov
Frederick Health Hospital. (2022). Community Health Needs Assessment: 2022-2025 https://www.frederickhealth.org
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