Changes from 2005 Results

The overall health of the United States’ population, as measured by America’s Health Rankings™ – 2006 Edition, increased 0.3 percent from 2005 to 2006.  The improvement was the result of a decrease in the incidence of infectious disease from 24.6 to 22.6 cases per 100,000 population and a small increase in high school graduation rate from 72.6 percent to 73.9 percent of incoming ninth graders who graduate within four years.   Some of these improvements were offset by an increase in the prevalence of obesity from 23.1 percent to 24.4 percent of the population and an increase in the violent crime rate from 463 to 469 offenses per 100,000 population.

Table 18 shows comparisons of scores and rankings between 2005 and 2006.  Comparisons of state scores from 2005 to 2006 indicate that 19 states had positive changes in their overall scores on health.  The largest positive increases (Table 6) were Illinois (+2.8 points on overall score), Ohio (+2.6 points), Wisconsin (+2.3 points) and Kansas (+2.1 points).  All other increases were 2.0 points or less.

Table 6 - States with the Greatest Overall Health Score Improvement - 2005 to 2006

The principal reasons for the changes in these states are:

Illinois: The prevalence of smoking declined from 22.2 percent to 19.9 percent of the population, the percentage of children in poverty declined from 18.0 percent to 15.6 percent of persons under age 18 and the infant mortality rate declined from 7.2 to 7.0 deaths per 1,000 live births.

Ohio: The prevalence of smoking declined from 25.8 percent to 22.3 percent of the population, the incidence of infectious disease decreased from 11.0 to 9.9 cases per 100,000 population and the number of poor mental health days per month decreased from 3.6 to 3.3 days in the previous 30 days.

Wisconsin: The percentage of children in poverty declined from 18.0 percent to 13.6 percent of persons under age 18, the prevalence of smoking decreased from 21.9 percent to 20.7 percent of the population and the incidence of infectious disease declined from 7.3 to 6.4 cases per 100,000 population.

Kansas: The prevalence of smoking declined from 19.8 percent to 17,8 percent of the population, immunization coverage increased from 77.5 percent to 83.8 percent of children ages 19 to 35 months receiving complete immunizations, the incidence of infectious disease declined from 8.5 to 7.9 cases per 100,000 population and the rate of occupational fatalities declined from 6.8 to 6.0 deaths per 100,000 workers.

This year, the overall scores of 29 states declined.  The states with the largest decreases (Table 7) were New Mexico (-4.2 points on overall score), Idaho (-3.9 points) and West Virginia (-3.5 points).  Other states’ declines were less than 3.0 points. 

Table 7 - States with the Greatest Overall Health Decline 2005 to 2006

The principal reasons for the changes in these states are:

New Mexico: The prevalence of smoking increased from 20.3 percent to 21.5 percent of the population, the rate of high school graduation decreased from 67.4 percent to 63.1 percent of ninth graders who graduate in four years and the immunization coverage decreased from 83.5 percent to 78.4 percent of children ages 19 to 25 months receiving complete immunizations.

Idaho: The prevalence of obesity increased from 20.8 percent to 24.5 percent of the population, the occupational fatalities rate increased from 6.1 to 9.9 deaths per 100,000 workers and the number of poor physical health days per month increased from 3.3 to 3.7 days in the previous 30 days.

West Virginia:  The prevalence of obesity increased from 27.6 percent to 30.6 percent of the population, the percentage of children in poverty increased from 18.0 to 21.4 percent of persons under age 18, immunization coverage decreased from 86.6 percent to 74.9 percent of children ages 19 to 35 months receiving complete immunizations and the rate of uninsured population increased from 16.4 percent to 17.9 percent. 

Two states, Missouri and Arkansas remained unchanged from the 2005 Edition to the 2006 Edition.