Americans are making considerable progress in their overall health,
according to United Health Foundation’s 2013 America’s Health Rankings®:
A Call to Action for Individuals & Their Communities.
Nationwide, Americans improved in the majority of the measures captured
by the Rankings. The most notable gains came in key behavioral measures,
including smoking, which dropped from 21.2 percent of the adult
population to 19.6 percent. Seventeen states had significant drops in
smoking, with the largest seen in Nevada, Maryland, Oklahoma, Kansas and
Vermont.
Physical inactivity dropped from 26.2 percent of the adult population to
22.9 percent, and America’s obesity rate remained approximately the same
as reported in 2012 (27.6 percent of the adult population in 2013
compared with 27.8 percent in 2012). This marks the first time since
1998 that obesity rates have not worsened.
State rankings
Hawaii has taken the title of healthiest state. Vermont, last year’s
reported No. 1 state, is ranked second this year and has ranked among
the top five states for the last decade. Minnesota is third, followed by
Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Mississippi ranks 50th this
year, and Arkansas (49), Louisiana (48), Alabama (47) and West Virginia
(46) complete the list of the five least healthy states.
Top-seated Hawaii scored well along most measures particularly for
having low rates of uninsured individuals, high rates of childhood
immunization, and low rates of obesity, smoking and preventable
hospitalizations. Like all states, Hawaii also has areas where it can
improve: it has higher-than-average rates of binge drinking and
occupational fatalities, and lower-than-average rates of high school
graduation.
To see the Rankings in full, visit: www.americashealthrankings.org.
Despite progress, significant challenges remain
When it comes to improving the nation’s health, there is still much to
be done. Obesity has leveled off; however, it must remain a top
priority, as 27.6 percent of adults nationwide report being obese. With
rates of physical inactivity, smoking and diabetes at 22.9 percent, 19.6
percent and 9.7 percent, respectively, there is still considerable room
for improvement in key health measures.
“I am encouraged by the progress we’ve made this year and am hopeful
that the leveling off we see in America’s obesity is a sign of further
improvement to come,” said Reed Tuckson, M.D., external senior medical
adviser to United Health Foundation. “We should certainly celebrate
these gains. They encourage us to continue to identify and effectively
implement best practices in these areas and in addressing diabetes,
heart disease and other chronic health conditions that compromise
Americans’ health and vitality.”
Georges Benjamin, M.D., executive director of the American Public Health
Association, said: “Every year, the America’s Health Rankings report
details the nation’s health successes and challenges on a state-by-state
level, providing specific areas where citizens and states alike can
focus to continue to improve the health of our nation. I am pleased to
see the progress we’ve made and hope we can keep up the good work.”
United Health Foundation calls for sustained momentum
“United Health Foundation is committed to continuing to identify ways to
improve state health in measurable, meaningful ways,” said Rhonda
Randall, D.O., senior adviser to United Health Foundation and chief
medical officer of UnitedHealthcare Retiree Solutions. “I hope we soon
see the day when we are cheering year-over-year improvements in obesity,
and I look forward to seeing our nation’s percentage of smokers continue
to decline.”
“Those of us who dedicate our careers to public health know we can’t
improve what we don’t measure,” said Eduardo Sanchez, M.D., chairman,
Partnership for Prevention. “The America’s Health Rankings report and
the online tools show us where we’ve made strides in promoting better
health and, importantly, where we still have work to do.”
The America’s Health Rankings report and its tools – including analysis
not only of state populations but also subpopulations within states –
are designed to identify health opportunities in communities as well as
multi-stakeholder, multi-disciplinary approaches to address those
opportunities. Through its programs and grants, United Health Foundation
shines a spotlight on the health of America while promoting
evidence-based solutions. As part of this commitment, United Health
Foundation has partnered with the Association of State and Territorial
Health Officials and the National Business Coalition on Health to create
learning laboratories that identify and promote best practices and
innovations in public health. To learn more about America’s Health
Rankings – and to get information on how to help improve community
health – visit www.americashealthrankings.org.
About America’s Health Rankings®
America’s Health Rankings is an annual comprehensive assessment of the
nation’s health on a state-by state basis. It is published jointly by
United Health Foundation, American Public Health Association and
Partnership for Prevention.
The data in the report come from well-recognized outside sources, such
as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, American Medical
Association, FBI, Dartmouth Atlas Project, U.S. Department of Education
and Census Bureau. The report is reviewed and overseen by a Scientific
Advisory Committee, with members from leading academic institutions,
government agencies and the private sector.
America’s Health Rankings is the longest-running report of its kind. For
24 years, the Rankings has provided an analysis of national health on a
state-by-state basis by evaluating a historical and comprehensive set of
health, environmental and socioeconomic data to determine national
health benchmarks and state rankings. The Rankings employs a unique
methodology, developed and annually reviewed by a Scientific Advisory
Committee of leading public health scholars. For more information, visit www.americashealthrankings.org.
About United Health Foundation
Guided by a passion to help people live healthier lives, United Health
Foundation provides helpful information to support decisions that lead
to better health outcomes and healthier communities. The Foundation also
supports activities that expand access to quality health care services
for those in challenging circumstances and partners with others to
improve the well-being of communities. After its establishment by
UnitedHealth Group [NYSE: UNH] in 1999 as a not-for-profit, private
foundation, the Foundation has committed more than $210 million to
improve health and health care. For additional information, please visit www.unitedhealthfoundation.org.
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