TriCounty Health Officer Kirk Benge gave a report during Tuesday’s Uintah County
Commission meeting. Benge explained that they monitor health trends and discussed the
health department’s top 5 areas of concern. First is that they are seeing a decline in
childhood immunizations, including at local doctor’s offices. Second is the rates of
suicide that are higher than other health departments in Utah. Third is that TriCounty
Health has a higher rate of pregnant women who are smoking, especially during the 3rd
trimester. Fourth is that TriCounty falls into the higher category for obesity. Benge
emphasized his appreciation for the County’s efforts to improve trails and outdoor
recreation to get people out and moving. Fifth is the higher teen pregnancy rates. He also
stated that drug overdoses are still a real concern with overdoses almost every week,
particularly with Fentanyl. It’s one he called a complicated problem. The health
department continues to serve the community in addressing these challenges.
