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2008: Regional Indicators Report Powered by data from www.pittsburghtoday.org safety murder / burglary / robbery

population / age / migration / immigration / race / poverty demographics

arts attendance / activities / learning / employment / establishments

education level of attainment

know your region. Indicators in 10 data categories available online at: www. .org

health diabetes / obesity / healthcare / smoking / pregnancy / births / geriatrics

airports / traffic delay / roads / rivers transportation

environment air / PM 2.5 / ozone

jobs / wages / business / cost of living / venture capital / exports economy

municipalities / school districts / finance government

housing appreciation / permits / ownership / vacancy / age / segregation

cover photograph by Jack Wolf pittsburgh by the numbers

Up(to(date data revWehaelrse atrhe wee? state of our region

What matters most ever possible, 10 years to us about our home - of data exist in a town often doesn’t lend consistent format for itself to measurement. each published indica - We know more about tor. Second, there the place than we care to must be inclusiveness: talk about. It is what it considering a region in is; we like it and live with its totality does not it—and in it—every day. preclude examination Over-analysis can take of its many parts— the life out of almost most often counties anything, and if there is a and sometimes munic - city that has spent more ipalities—but it does time on the couch than assure that larger Pittsburgh, we’d like to forces and themes at hear about it. work in a major region Still, the insights of the U.S. are not A 75-mile radius from Point State Park defines the Pittsburgh region for the available on www.pitts - data purposes of PittsburghToday. Home to 3 million residents, this region inadvertently ignored. burghtoday.org, the Web is measured using either the metropolitan statistical area (MSA) made up Finally, there are site of the Regional of 7 counties: Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington apples-to-apples Indicator Project, are and Westmoreland, or by using the economic area (EA) , which includes comparisons with important and worth the MSA plus 12 other counties in Pennsylvania, Ohio and West Virginia. other regions. your attention. This Pittsburgh Quar - dynamic source provides information have been created to measure the terly has featured regional indicators that is relevant when addressing the performance of an established govern - in every edition since its inception, many aspects of our civic life that are ment or a defined civic agenda. The and the Pittsburgh Foundation has regularly debated in the press by three-year-old Pittsburgh initiative is generously sponsored that initiative. elected governmental bodies and unusual because it is not connected to We appreciate that collaboration, around the office water cooler. There a specific political or social program which also has made this publication is no guarantee that, when good data or group. Supported entirely by possible. We believe the pages that are made available, our leaders, TV private foundation funds, the data in follow will whet your appetite for talking heads or neighborhood oracles 10 different topic areas are organized more and better information about will make use of them, but there is no and maintained with the advice of the region even as they introduce you hope for an informed civic debate Pittsburgh residents with special to a resource whose richness may be in the absence of up-to-date and expertise in the subjects involved. new to you. accurate facts. (See page 19 for more information). Pittsburgh Regional Indicator Indicator programs have existed The facts are fresh, updated Organizing Committee: John G. Craig for years in the U.S., Europe and weekly and available in appropriate Jr., Dr. Bernard Goldstein, Dr. Granger Australia, but they almost always context. That means, first, that when - Morgan, Paul O’Neill, Dr. Lauren Resnick

www.pittsburghtoday.org | 3 strengths and weaknesses

TIndhicaetogrsoreovedal tnruethws asboautnodur rbegaiodn news appreciation , 2008 (2 nd qtr.) here are some snapshots of how greater pittsburgh fares in important quality of life components:

graduate degrees , 2000

transportation Commuting is easy. Among bench - mark regions, only Cleveland drivers spent fewer hours in delays (13) than Pittsburghers (16) in the most recent year measured, 2005. housing Homes remain an asset. We didn’t public safety , 1999 –2007 see a housing boom, but in the past year, Pittsburgh was second among the 15 benchmark regions in housing appreciation at 3 percent. (more housing data on page 12) education We’re well educated. Pittsburgh is number one in the percentage of the population that has a high-school arts & culture degree or a two-year college associate This region really supports the arts. degree, and we exceed the national Nationally, Pittsburgh is tops in arts average in residents with post-gradu - attendance, participation and learn - ate degrees. ing. Museum employment is among the highest in the benchmark regions. (more arts data on page 13) economy There are jobs here. Pittsburgh set safety a record high for jobs in September It’s a safe place to be. In three key health 2008, following an August record for crime measures—burglary, robbery Our health is covered. As far as the size of the labor force and number and murder—Pittsburgh ranks sec - health care insurance, Pittsburgh is in of people employed. These numbers, ond, second and third, respectively, good shape among benchmark regions which will be adjusted, represent the among the benchmark regions, keep - and well above the national average first economic high points since 2001. ing its claim as one of the nation’s with 89.5 percent of adults covered. (more economy data on page 8) safest metro areas. (more health data on page 16)

4 | 2008 Regional Indicators Report children in poverty , 2000 compared with what?

How did we choose the i.e., expenditures have exceeded revenues for at least five years. benchmark regions? (more government data on page 14) The simple answer: select regions against which you want to measure your - self depending on what you are analyzing. There will always be national averages for that purpose, but the insight comes with health apples-to-apples comparisons with other We’re at risk for heart disease. regions. demographics Fatal heart attacks occur more often The Economy Committee chose not Many children live in poverty. in Pittsburgh than in most bench - to look solely at regions of Pittsburgh’s We have the highest percentage of mark regions, especially in women. approximate size, but to give dispropor - children in poverty and near-poverty (more health data on page 16) tionate attention to regions with of all the benchmark regions. industrial and demographic histories (more demographic data on page 6) comparable to Pittsburgh’s. This led to bad roads , 2006 the inclusion of much larger regions such as Philadelphia, Boston and Detroit. It also meant that regions across the nation’s southern tier, from Miami to San Diego, were significantly underweighted. economy Their experience the past 25 years with We earn less. Financial managers, explosive growth from immigration is customer service reps, nurses, retail largely outside the ken of places such as sales people and childcare workers Indianapolis and Pittsburgh. The Sun are poster children for a regional Belt phenomenon is not ignored—it is problem: low pay. incorporated in all national data—but (more economic data on page 8) the benchmark regions tilt toward the nation’s huge, northeastern quadrant, from Minneapolis to Baltimore to Boston. Three “hot” growth regions—Richmond, transportation Charlotte and Denver—provide additional housing We’re riding rough roads. perspective. We don’t have equality in housing. Pittsburgh ranks near the bottom Denver Cincinnati Only Minneapolis, Detroit and St. among benchmark regions in Kansas City Cleveland Louis have higher percentages of percentage of good roads, bad roads Milwaukee Pittsburgh owner-occupied housing, but Pitts - and annual costs for operating a St. Louis Charlotte burgh’s disparity between white and vehicle as a result of road quality. Minn./St. Paul Richmond Indianapolis Washington, D.C. black home ownership is higher than Detroit Philadelphia all other benchmark regions. Boston (more housing data on page 12) environment Our air is bad. In tiny and harmful particulate matter, Pittsburgh’s air is government among the worst in the nation, and Our governments are in debt. adjacent to U.S. Steel’s Clairton Half of the region’s 551 local govern - Coke Plant, it’s the worst. ments suffer from structural deficits, (more environmental data on page 17)

data source for all charts on these pages: PittsburghToday, 2008

www.pittsburghtoday.org | 5 Demographics

pittsburghtoday.org features 21 regional indicators that illuminate different aspects of the 12-decade record of population change for the pittsburgh region. here we present five aspects of the demographics story.

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A century ago, Greater Pittsburgh was a hub of popula - the region as a whole. Some have evolved into so-called tion growth for the rapidly expanding nation. Migrants “naturally occurring retirement communities” where the across the world teemed to the U.S. and its industrializa - concentration of elderly is far higher than almost anywhere tion, which was slowed only by the Depression. Pittsburgh else in the nation. Other areas have gained popularity as would see its peak population during the frenzied activity places to live for the region’s younger populations, includ - of World War II. In subsequent decades, the loss of manu - ing students or new residents arriving from elsewhere in facturing jobs precipitated an unprecedented out-migra - the U.S. or abroad. tion and population loss. Those who left took their families Pittsburgh is one of the only major metropolitan areas with them, and the impact of that diaspora still shapes our in the nation experiencing natural population decline as demographics. deaths exceed births annually. Yet while the region contin - By the mid-1990s, the elderly reached over 18 percent ues to get older, the nation is rapidly aging at rates much of regional population—just one artifact of Pittsburgh’s faster than what is forecast for Pittsburgh in coming demographic history. By comparison, as the nation’s baby decades. And while overall rates of population change are boom generation ages, the U.S. is not expected to reach a low, each year the region attracts tens of thousands of new similar proportion of elderly until at least 2025 or later. So, residents from elsewhere in the nation even as similar num - in many ways, Pittsburgh can be seen as a model of how the bers leave. This population churn is constantly reshaping nation will deal with its demographic future. the region. The challenge for the region is not dissimilar No one metric applies to all parts of southwestern from that of a century ago: How to attract, retain and Pennsylvania. Individual municipalities and neighborhoods capture the energy of new immigrants, coupled with the have unique characteristics. Some have concentrations of strengths of current residents, to build the competitiveness older or younger populations that differ significantly from of the region into the future.

population estimates , 2000 –2007 population change , 1900 –2000

source: PittsburghToday, 2008

6 | 2008 Regional Indicators Report changing our profile Demographics

black population , 2000

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The legacy of Pittsburgh’s rapid immigrant history is well documented, and I am certainly not the first to profess the immense importance of diversity in any community. But oddly, Pitts - burgh’s transformation as a powerhouse econ - omy by 1940 was launched by a city that attracted thousands of European immigrants, as well as national migration from bustling east coast cities. In less than 50 years, between 1870 Audrey Russo and 1920, the population of Pittsburgh quadru - President and CEO of the pled to 588,500. Pittsburgh Technology Regional companies are solving complex Council problems for people all over the world, leverag - foreign-born population , 2000 ing technology to insure a high quality of life for those who are aging or impaired, using robotics to design ways for those without limbs to live independently, and providing in-home solutions for those who face the confines of dialysis. People who represent the smartest minds in the world are behind these technologies. But the region and these companies continue the strug - gle to attract and retain the best global talent. The arrival and attraction of immigrants facilitate the vitality of the epicenter of regions, but our region’s foreign-born population has flat - lined. The latest data (U.S. Census 2000) indicate that the foreign-born population numbered 69,206, or 2.3 percent of the total. Ten years earlier the number was 2.2 percent! And this movement from 2.2 to 2.3 percent was the first increase in at least 50 years. What gets measured gets noticed. What gets noticed gets action. This is why the Regional Indicators Project is an imperative piece of the technology business climate. This project facili - tates collection and analysis of these pivotal met - rics that will drive policy. source: PittsburghToday, 2008

www.pittsburghtoday.org | 7 Economy

pittsburgh’s jobs picture continues its move away from manufacturing and into service, particularly in higher education and healthcare.

WSohenwithcoemrees todjobes sanod eumrpleoycmoennt oinmtheyPitststbaunrghdr?egion, there have been three transcendent realities for over a decade.

There has been inex - Overall job growth Manufacturing jobs orable movement toward has been sluggish. The remain important and increased dependence on regions against which are the single largest service jobs. The region has Pittsburgh is measured generator of job income, 123a lower percentage of its averaged a 7.2 percentage because they pay well and workforce in manufacturing job increase for the have a higher “multiplier jobs (8.7 percent) than do either the decade ending Dec. 31, 2007; the effect.” Pittsburgh has lost too many nation or the majority of benchmark Pittsburgh increase was 4.7 percent. of them, however, not just in the 1970s cities against which it measures itself. That is a difference of 2.5 percentage and ’80s, but also in the past decade— The embodiment of this change can points. 26,100 jobs or 20.6 percent. That be seen in the dramatic growth in compares to a benchmark average loss education and health service jobs. Ten of 24 percent. years ago there were 186,900 people working in higher education, medical and nursing jobs; last year the total was 226,100, making it the region’s Unlike in its manufacturing heyday, Pittsburgh’s job growth leads largest jobs category. other regions going into a recession and trails them coming out.

jobs , 2007 jobs , 1997 –2007 jobs , 1999 –2007

source: PittsburghToday, 2008 8 | 2008 Regional Indicators Report the key to prosperity Economy

looking up In the past 16 months, there has been a noticeable change for the better in employ - ment and jobs data, with Pittsburgh’s job numbers going up at a more rapid rate than the majority of benchmark regions. The labor force and the number of people employed also have continued to grow, OThenmojost bims portant economic indicator setting record highs in August in the face of a national slowdown. The Regional Indicators Committee It remains to be seen if this positive selected jobs and income as two primary eco - disparity can be sustained. Pittsburgh nomic indicators because jobs and income are historically has been slow to go into a reces - among the best measures of a nation’s or sion and slower to come out of one. That region’s economic well-being and standard of said, the employment and jobs data for living. A person’s job is a very important finan - 2008 to date has been quite positive. cial and emotional factor in his or her life. Collectively, jobs and the income earned from workforce growth , 1998 –2008 working and income received from social Stuart Hoffman security, pensions, investment dividends and interest and government transfer payments Senior vice president and chief economist for The greatly influence spending and saving. In turn, PNC Financial Services this consumer spending and saving is a major Group driver of national and regional economic growth, along with demographics, business vitality, governmental tax and spending poli - cies, Federal Reserve monetary policy and global economic trends. The jobs data allows a closer focus on the types of higher-paying, skilled jobs, and the income data allows a focus on the higher-paying occupations that lead to greater national and regional economic growth over time. Jobs and income data are readily and reli - employment , 1998 –2007 ably available from government statistical agencies on a very timely basis, which makes it possible to do an apples-to-apples comparison of jobs and income in one region (Pittsburgh MSA) to the nation and to a designated peer group region over time. National jobs and income data are released monthly by the Labor Department’s Bureau of Labor Statis - tics (BLS). Regional (state, metro area and county) jobs data are released monthly and in - come data are released quarterly by state bu - reaus of labor. These jobs and income data are among the most widely used measures to as - sess the economic and financial health of indi - viduals, families, communities and nations. source: PittsburghToday, 2008

www.pittsburghtoday.org | 9 Economy

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The answer is “not so well” com - average weekly wage : 22 counties, 1 st quarter, 2008 pared with other regions. For most of the past two decades, average annual wages and average weekly wages have been low. Pittsburgh was consistently last among benchmark cities in aver - age annual pay for the decade preced - ing 2006. Though it has since passed Cleveland, Kansas City, Milwaukee and St. Louis, annual wages remain well below national and benchmark region averages. The latest data on average weekly wages in each of the region’s 22 counties tell a similar story. The explanation for this low com - pensation is the subject of continuous debate. The Indicator Economy Committee, with the help of the Three Rivers Workforce Investment Board, attempts to bring more preci - sion to the process by tracking aver - age pay for 18 specific occupations. In only four is average annual compensa - tion in this region higher than both national and benchmark averages: elementary school teachers, family source: PittsburghToday, 2008 physicians, hotel desk clerks and plumbers and pipe fitters. wage : 2007 wage : teachers, nurses Pay in the 14 other jobs measured trails benchmark or national averages or both. (The four lowest-ranked jobs in this group were introduced on page 5 in our cluster of regional realities to worry about.) Because of concerns that low starting pay hinders the region’s ability to keep outstanding college students after graduation, the economy committee and workforce board have been asked to find five or six jobs deemed to be particularly relevant to recruitment and to begin tracking them.

source: PittsburghToday, 2008

10 | 2008 Regional Indicators Report Economy

BWeu’rseilonweinsesntvreiptraenleiutrys, young firms; strong in survival

Pittsburgh’s 250th Anniversary celebration other regions, it’s not enough to offset the should remind everyone of the critical role low start-up rates. that entrepreneurship has played in our re - Why does this matter? Young, entrepre - gion’s history. Most of the major employers neurial companies represent a significant here today, such as Respironics, U.S. Steel and portion of the economy in most regions. In Westinghouse, began as start-ups, with finan - places such as Charlotte, Denver, Kansas City cial support from local banks and investors. and Minneapolis, more than 17 –18 percent of We continue to have many successful en - workers are employed by locally owned firms trepreneurs creating companies and jobs in a that are 10 years old or younger. In the Pitts - Harold D. Miller wide range of fields. But data assembled by burgh region, though, that’s true for only 14.3 President of Future PittsburghToday show that start-ups form percent of workers. If, for example, Pittsburgh Strategies, LLC (a here at a much lower rate than in the rest of had the same percentage of jobs in these consulting firm specializ - ing in analysis, strategy, the country. New companies launch in the young firms as other regions do, the region and communications) Pittsburgh Region at only 50 –60 percent of would have 5,000 more jobs today. and adjunct professor the U.S. rate. In every major economic sec - Starting and growing more young firms is at Carnegie Mellon tor—manufacturing, construction, finance, an important way to create new jobs. And University wholesale trade, retail trade and services— some of the new businesses that are created Pittsburgh ranks last or next-to-last among here now will likely go on to become major benchmark regions in the rate at which new regional employers in the future. On a bright firms are created. Although the survival rate note, Pittsburgh businesses have a higher sur - for young firms is higher in Pittsburgh than vival rate than every other benchmark region.

business survival , 2002 –06 new businesses , 2002 –06 young firms , 1998 –2006 business survival rate Low rate of new biz formation 02 - 06 see biz formation in - us benchmark dicator 2002 - 2006

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source: PittsburghToday, 2008

www.pittsburghtoday.org | 11 Housing where and how we live

the region’s housing stock is older than most, with much less rise and fall in pricing.

housing stock across income levels with an emphasis on attracting people to the urban core areas. This includes a series of new, high-end condominiums and apartments Downtown. In addition, the Housing Authority of the City of Pittsburgh, along AFocupsoturrnts tioncittyhliveing storm with its development partners, has built and sold 18 new single-family homes in the Hill The housing market has always served District, and the project is continuing. The as an indicator of how well an area is doing. Hill is slowly building on Crawford Square Unlike Florida, California, New England and and now Bedford Hills, and with the new parts of the Midwest, the Pittsburgh region arena, hotel, and promised grocery store, the has not experienced steep declines in housing Hill District could finally reach the turning prices. New housing permits in the city of point we have been wishing for and working Pittsburgh were actually up 17 percent over toward for so many years. three quarters of 2008 when compared with Along with housing successes in Down - Doris Carson 2007 numbers, according to recent reports. town and in the Hill, East Liberty seems Williams And the indicators by PittsburghToday on poised to follow. And now Garfield Heights, price appreciation throughout the region with its new construction and affordable President & CEO, African remain very positive. homeownership efforts, is attempting to American Chamber of Commerce of Western High gas prices and tough economic times revitalize public housing development, Pennsylvania are adding to the larger trend toward urban which could increase demand and value in living. Our region is developing a mix of that neighborhood.

age of housing stock , 2000 black homeowners , 2000 20-year housing appreciation

source: PittsburghToday, 2008

12 | 2008 Regional Indicators Report a surprising palette Arts & Culture

understanding our comparative advantage can help us play from strength. SBpolratsciskno&t thge onllydga)m&e ginrteoewnn & blue*

PittsburghToday indicators on the benchmark or national numbers or comparative impact of sports and the both. The number of people compos - arts show the arts win going away. ing music, the number of theater com - This reality is reinforced by the 54 panies and the number of people who ARearlitzisngpouorwedege r charts on the PittsburghToday Web took dance lessons is greater here. site. Among the insights provided is Finally, so that no one is in any Over the years, we’ve made so the important role classical music doubt that Pittsburgh has a way to many assumptions about the arts in plays in the lives of Pittsburghers liv - go when it comes to arts, here are Pittsburgh that we’ve created a series ing in eastern Ohio and West Virginia, two of a number of sobering indicators of urban legends. For example, we’ve and data on the key role played by mu - from the PittsburghToday Web site: often claimed that Pittsburgh has the seum jobs in this region. The number of arts organizations in highest per capita arts participation The charts below, as well as the ad - the region on a per-capita basis is 51st, of any city in the nation. Ha! It’s not ditional data online at pittsburghto - and the number of artist jobs is 45th, true. Boston has us beat. But arts day.org, show the region’s arts among the 60 cities tracked by the participation in Pittsburgh is much involvement as notably higher than Urban Institute. higher than the national average, and that is something to brag about. cultural employees , 2004 arts attendance , 2006 Bragging, however, isn’t enough. That’s why the Pittsburgh arts community has partnered with the Indicators project. The arts industry (yes, it’s an industry) has always been introspective. And there is a lot more we need to know. Arts organizations large and small are teaming together to create an ongoing poll to assess everything from individual giving to fundamental questions about what constitutes art and culture. Working closely with the Indicators, we en - sure that the information being gener - ated is both sports vs. arts , 2002 useful and timely.

Charlie Humphrey Executive director of Pittsburgh Filmmakers, the Pittsburgh Center for the Arts and the Pittsburgh Glass Center photo: Joshua Franzos source: PittsburghToday, 2008

www.pittsburghtoday.org | 13 Government

per capita, we have the most governments and the highest public debt.

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The answer to that question most recent year measured (2002). mine a high or low ratio. depends on whom you ask. There is The benchmark region average was Enough with the ratios, what no doubt, however, that the counties 16.6. At 37.6, the seven-county Pitts - does this cost us? of the Pittsburgh region contain many burgh region is higher than any other. The latest data (2002 census) local governments. When school districts alone are meas - suggests that the Pittsburgh region Pittsburghtoday.org has data and ured, at 4.56 per 100,000, Pittsburgh may have a great deal of government interactive charts that measure per slips behind St. Louis and Kansas on the basis of per capita measure - capita government for the region— City. The national average for school ments, but that it does not spend comparing this region’s component districts is 4.7. much money on government com - counties with each other, as well as When you look at the number pared to national and benchmark comparing this region with other of municipal governments in the norms. benchmark regions. Local govern - counties of the Pittsburgh region, you Here is Pittsburgh’s rank among ment includes county, municipal, discover some dramatic comparisons. benchmark regions when it comes to borough and special-purpose govern - Monroe County, Ohio, has 186.9 local expenditures per capita for dif - ments, such as parking authorities, municipal governments per 100,000 ferent government functions. The sewer districts and airport commis - residents, while Monogalia County, rankings do NOT include state or fed - sions. It also includes school districts. West Virginia (home of West Virginia eral expenditures, only monies raised The U.S. average for the number University) has 6.05. As this sampler and expended locally. of local governments per capita was makes clear, population density, more 30.5 per 100,000 population in the than any other factor, seems to deter -

number of municipalities , 2002 pittsburgh government finance

source: PittsburghToday, 2008

14 | 2008 Regional Indicators Report perception and reality Government

government debt , 2002

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The Indicator initiative Virginia?” Why not extend the idea consistently talks and writes about of regional government to cross state the Pittsburgh region and the “City lines? State of Pittsburgh.” Isn’t that just One of the problems with having code for metropolitan government? cooperative governmental relation - Not necessarily. From the first, ships with parts of the region that are the organizing committee has in other states is the U.S. Constitu - believed that everything begins with tion. It prescribes that states have the good data, particularly data that are so ultimate authority in matters of local compelling that action is demanded: or regional government. And a great “We just have to do something about deal of federal money flows to regions this!” like Pittsburgh by way of state govern - But what kind of government is ments. best is not a one-size-fits-all proposi - But thoughtful public observers source: PittsburghToday, 2008 tion. The appropriate government are increasingly of the opinion that size or type of government really other parallel or complementary gov - a final piece of data depends on what the task at hand ernmental arrangements between the is. In some circumstances, smaller Congress and the nation’s principal In every instance above, the Pitts - governments may be appropriate. regions, either individually or collec - burgh per capita revenue or expendi - In others, larger ones or cooperative tively, is the way of the future. ture for local government was lower agreements recommend themselves. For these reasons, the Indicator than the average for the 15 benchmark As the data in the third chart on initiative will organize governmental regions, with one dramatic exception. the opposite page suggest, the region’s data as it does now (giving a great deal Per capita interest expense on debt biggest governmental issue is not that of attention to very local concerns, as was $352 per capita, $41 higher than spending is too high, but that it is too in our special Web site report on the the next closest benchmark region, low. Often this is because budgets are worrisome level of structural deficits Denver, and 179 percent higher than broken down into so many small in the 553 cities, boroughs and town - the benchmark average of $196. pieces. Maldistribution of funds ships). At the same time, as with air Put simply, compared with all the causes a lack of services in some areas, monitoring and demographics, it benchmark regions, Pittsburghers excessive overhead in others and takes a multistate view of matters of have been saddled by their govern - widespread fiscal distress. More coop - public concern when it is obviously ments with relatively huge amounts eration or consolidation of services at appropriate. of public debt. the most local levels should provide better use of tax dollars. At the same time, you cannot look at a great number of the facts on the PittsburghToday Web site without asking yourself: “Why aren’t we work - ing with people from Ohio and West

www.pittsburghtoday.org | 15 Health a troubling mosaic

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Here are five of our 35 health (7.39 percent of all patients) than in The average for the benchmark indicators that demonstrate the all but one benchmark region, regions was 13.68 percent. range of potential areas for oversight Cincinnati (8.54 percent). The and community attention. benchmark average is significantly current smokers , 2006 Diabetes in adults: The inci - lower for this practice (5.33 percent). dence rate declined annually between Low birth-weight babies: The 2003 and 2006, while it rose nation - incidence of low birth-weight babies ally. The incidence of the disease in among a region’s African American the most recent year was higher, how - citizens is considered to be an indica - ever, than it was in 12 of the 15 bench - tor of the health of a region’s most mark regions as well as the nation. vulnerable residents. And in this, Obese adults: The region’s rate Pittsburgh ranks last among all in 2006 of 24.3 on the body mass benchmark regions, with 14.36 per - index (30 or higher is classified as cent of babies born to African Ameri - obese) was lower than the national can women having low birth weight. and benchmark regional average, but narrowly so. Greater Pittsburgh was fatal heart-attacks low birth-weight babies one of seven regions that saw its rate decline between 2003 and 2006. Smoking: The region is not good at getting people to stop smoking. Only in Detroit did people quit smoking less than Pittsburghers did (2.23 percent of Detroiters quit vs. 3.06 percent of Pittsburghers). The national average decrease for 2003 to 2006 was 8.64 percent and the benchmark average was 13.34. Kansas City (26.85 percent) and Philadelphia (20.0 percent) passed Pittsburgh by diabetes geriatric care multiples of eight and six. Geriatric care: Overuse of phys - ical restraints in nursing homes is considered to be an indicator of the quality of geriatric care. Nursing homes are encouraged to avoid the practice unless absolutely necessary to reduce the incidence of pressure sores among patients. Yet the use of physical restraints is higher in the Pittsburgh region’s nursing homes source: PittsburghToday, 2008

16 | 2008 Regional Indicators Report air quality problems Environment

the environmental section of pittsburghtoday includes real-time information on particulate matter and ozone levels in the air we breathe. if you or your children are sensitive to these substances, a quick glance at the web site can help you to plan your activities to minimize your exposure on days of bad air quality.

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PittsburghToday is a work in progress, and display it on a real-time basis. the development and availability of real-time Real-time information about our local information about many aspects of Pittsburgh economy would be very useful to the business can be beneficial to Pittsburghers (such as the community here, and it could serve to make air quality indicators we publish on an hourly us a “go-to” reference point for those trying basis). It will put us at the leading edge of to understand movement in the American American communities in using information economy. technology to enhance life and improve our If we could tap into the data base on sales economic prospects. transactions in our ZIP codes on a daily basis, Paul O’Neill Two examples help to make the point. If it would help business people to see develop - Former U.S. Secretary we had real-time data and the associated trend ing trends and to understand their own level of the Treasury and line information on hospital-acquired infec - of activity in relation to competition and the CEO of Alcoa tions, it would help us to make informed deci - broader local economy. At the national level, sions about which hospitals we go to. Such having such data available, representing a pop - information is now collected by the state, and ulation base of 2.5 million people, would serve it would not take much effort to produce and as an early indicator of changes in trend.

average ozone levels , 2006 average air quality , 2006

source: PittsburghToday, 2008

www.pittsburghtoday.org | 17 using the data

WIndichateorrsecandpooinwt oeur rgegoionfrinothme righhtedrireec? tion John G. Craig, Jr. President, PittsburghToday

“What is the point of all this infor - can be a breeding ground for entrepre - focused program for residential mation, and why should we care?” The neurs. Involving Ohio and West growth with numeric goals and question comes up at every meeting. Virginia schools, particularly WVU, accountability. Increased retention My answer is always the same: good in a coordinated regional effort to in - of university graduates, immigration— information has value in itself, and crease enrollments would be pivotal particularly foreign immigration—and knowing how things work in the to success. more Downtown apartment living community in which you live is impor - should be targeted. tant—always. Improve workforce quality. This is the canon of my colleagues Though we rightly have a reputation Multistate approaches to air on this project. We are not pushing for a high-quality workforce, we can't quality improvement. Our air quality a civic agenda; we are providing facts. take for granted that we will always is not as bad as some advocacy groups We believe facts have power and have enough workers with the right claim, but it is not as good as it should compel action. We believe that provid - skills to support business growth, or be. Aside from unique air quality prob - ing them will serve the needs of local that there will be enough jobs for lems in the Mon Valley, the pollution governments and civic groups across workers to support their families with most of us are exposed to is caused a range of agendas. With that caveat, their current skills. High poverty rates as much by upwind states as by our I have been asked to summarize the suggest that many workers lack the own region. That means significant implicit messages our report’s data skills for better-paying jobs and that improvements in air quality must be provide. Here are seven: our low immigration rate limits our done on a multistate or national basis. ability to attract businesses desiring a Encourage entrepreneurship. diverse workforce. Spread the word about the Our economy has benefited from sig - region’s assets. Our indicators show nificant job growth in educational and Improve primary health care. that, in important ways, Pittsburgh health services. This is not, however, It is obvious that we need more atten - is a leader among comparable regions. the result of new business creation as tion on health promotion, preventive We need to let prospective entrepre - much as the expansion of existing health services and the kinds of pri - neurs and workers know this, and institutions, particularly those in the mary healthcare that prevent deaths encourage them to become part of health industry. We are weak in creat - and hospitalizations. Growing national the region’s future. An obvious tack ing new enterprises, in part from attention is focusing on encouraging is exploiting another comparative population loss, but also from lack of better prevention and primary care, advantage, the natural environment. attention to the subject. By encourag - and with our expertise in healthcare, Pittsburgh is both beautiful and rich ing entrepreneurship, we can diversify we should be a leader in this area. in water and energy sources (all poten - our economy and create the platform tially clean). Our relative geographic for new jobs. Make sure the city succeeds. isolation, seen since the 1960s as a The Pittsburgh Promise is significant, liability, is another asset. Having a rela - Exploit our comparative advan - but we should not depend on a better tively clean slate in the crowded world tage in higher education. We enjoy public educational environment alone to come will count for a great deal if significant advantages as a center for to reverse the core city’s population we play our cards right. learning, an industry that is more insu - losses, which threaten the viability of lated than most from business cycle city government, given its dependence Visit www.pittsburghtoday.org for swings. It also provides good jobs and on a residential tax base. We need a more insight on the Pittsburgh region.

18 | 2008 Regional Indicators Report Alfred Blumstein Karen Feinstein Grant Oliphant Terry Miller Jim Roddey Sara Radelet Jeanne VanBriesen George Dougherty Bob Oltmanns Wilbur Steger Lew Villotti Pat Clark Ann Dugan Henry Beukema Jeanne Pearlman William Getty Larry Tamburri Michael Flaherty Arthur Ziegler Gary Rosensteel Paul Fischbeck John Hindman Richard Armstrong Janice Pringle Audrey Russo John Buckman Pam Golden Vivian Loftness Mitch Swain Jason Seltzer Barry Balmat James Denova Paul O’Neill Randell Forister Christopher Briem Brian Kelley Bernard Goldstein John Dick Reed Agnew Lucinda Harshman Milana Nick Mark Nordenberg Shawn Butler John Dymun Ali Robbie Minoli Ratnatunga Michael Langley Emily Craig Courtland Gould Jim Futrell Ralph Bangs Donald Smith Vera Krotcheck Doug Heuck Chris Harrington John Craig David Miller Russell Lorince Rich Landesberg Jennifer McNulty Christopher Hoenig James Hassinger Roberta Ness Kevin McMahon Kelleigh Boland James Hilston Chuck Half Kirk Brethauer Lauren Resnick Joshua Knauer Stuart Hoffman Mary Kay Stein Charles Kelly Kevin Lane Ronald Painter Peter Lucas Bob Whitehouse Richard Correnti Cliff Davidson Ken Zapinski Robert Strauss Harold Weiss Charlie Humphrey Ashley Deal Granger Morgan Lauren Wally Rudolph Weingartner John Engberg Sue Abramson John Hindman Chris Sweeney Mary Beth Buchanan Sabina Deitrick Richard Schulz Jeff Leber Moe Coleman Doris Carson Williams Marc Cherna Scott Beach Susan Hockenberry Roger Westman Devra Davis DeWitt Peart Matt Harbaugh Vijai Singh Shannon O’Connell Elizabeth Lynn, McCune Ellen Dorsey Esther Bush Mike Brinza Scott Izzo Frank Lucchino Jeff Lantz Stephen Grant Evelyn Talbot Harold Miller Stuart Olmsted Maxwell King Bill Bodine Jason Maranche Ethan Raup Barbara Mistick Sara Walfoort Reynolds Clark Jane Werner Allen Kukovich Eve Picker Michael Watson Fred Thieman Christina Gabriel Andy Masich Steve Massey

about the regional its work. The Web site is administered indicators project by 3 Rivers Connect, supported by local foundations to serve the local non-profit community’s needs for communication Since it began as a feasibility and data systems. Regional design firm project in January 2004, the Regional ThoughtForm designed www.pitts - Indicator program has been sponsored burghtoday.org, which launched in the by the University of Pittsburgh and fall of 2006. Milana Nick, of 3 Rivers Carnegie Mellon University. Connect, oversees the Web site. The engine of this cooperative Four key consultants, Christopher effort has been the volunteers, whose Briem, of UCSUR, Chris Sweeney, of 3 names you see on this page. They Rivers Connect, Harold Miller, president either participated in one of the topic chairman of Carnegie Mellon Univer - of Future Strategies LLC, and Craig are committees, identifying and refining sity’s department of Engineering and responsible for ongoing operations. indicators in their expertise, or they have Public Policy; Paul O’Neill, former U.S. They work with many organizations, contributed to outreach and public rela - Secretary of the Treasury and retired including Pitt’s Institute of Politics, the tions work. chairman of Alcoa; and Dr. Lauren Southwestern Pennsylvania Commission, All publishing decisions are made by Resnick, professor and director of the the Pittsburgh Technology Council and the organizing committee of John G. University of Pittsburgh’s Learning the Allegheny Conference on Commu - Craig Jr., former editor of the Pittsburgh Research and Development Center. nity Development. The Heinz Endow - Post-Gazette; Dr. Bernard Goldstein, The Center for Social and Urban ments, Richard King Mellon, McCune, professor and retired dean of the Univer - Research at the University of Pittsburgh Benedum and Pittsburgh Foundations sity of Pittsburgh’s Graduate School of provides a home for the project and ad - are among the project’s principal finan - Public Health; Dr. Granger Morgan, ministers the private grants that support cial supporters.