Obesity, Mental Illness Top Issues

Obesity and mental illness are the top public health concerns in northern Idaho, according to a study released Thursday. Both kids and adults struggle with their waistlines, the study found. And depression and suicide rates are high, particularly among young Native American men and men age 75 and older. To complete the study, the Panhandle and North Central Idaho health districts surveyed 1,500 local residents and health care professionals at hospitals in the state’s 10 northern counties, a mostly rural region with about 224,000 residents/ Becky Kramer , SR. More here .