Interesting article in today's USA Today regarding the annual report, "America's Health: State Health Rankings". In the 90's improvements in health were running at 1.5% a year. Since 2000, those improvements have leveled off to 0.2% a year. Some interesting highlights:
"The healthiest states and their percentage above the national norm: Minnesota, 25%; New Hampshire, 23.9%; Vermont, 22.8%; Hawaii, 17.7%; and Utah, 17.6%.
The least healthy and their percentage below the national norm: Arkansas, -12.1%; South Carolina, -12.9%; Tennessee, -13.1%; Mississippi, -20.2%; and Louisiana, -21.3%."
"The report says that along with rising rates of obesity and higher infant mortality rates, these three community problems are slowing health progress across the nation:
- Higher percentage of people without health insurance.
- Declining high school graduation rates.
- Increased child poverty."
Wow. And the number one concern among voters in this election were "moral issues"?
Article link: http://www.usatoday.com/news/health/2004-11-07-state-health_x.htm