PHOENIX, AZ (Nov. 17, 2009) — United Health Foundation, the American Public Health Association and Partnership for Prevention today released the 20th Anniversary Edition of America’s Health Rankings™ showing thatArizona ranks 27th when compared to the health of other states.
Tobacco consumption and obesity have emerged as the two priorities that threaten the health of the nation. While tobacco use dropped from 19.8 percent of the population last year to 18.3 percent this year, approximately 440,000 deaths annually are still attributable to this preventable behavior.
Obesity has increased nearly 130 percent since the first edition of America’s Health Rankings.™ was issued 20 years ago. Currently, 27 percent of the population is obese.
The United States currently spends more per capita than any other nation on health care, including $1.8 trillion in medical costs associated with chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease and cancer, which can be linked to these national risk factors.
Arizona’s Health Checkup
This year, the Rankings not only provided an annual list of the healthiest and least healthy states, but also determined how Arizona ranked when compared to other states against the nation’s biggest health challenges since 1990.
· 2009 State Ranking: 27
· 2009 Smoking and Obesity Rankings: (based on a comparison of the incidence rates among all 50 states)
o Prevalence of Smoking: 15.9%
o Prevalence of Obesity: 25.5%
Arizona’s 2009 health strengths include:
· Low prevalence of smoking
· Low rate of preventable hospitalizations
· Low rates of cancer deaths and cardiovascular deaths
Areas of improvement for Arizona include:
· High percentage of children in poverty
· High rate of uninsured population
· Limited availability of primary care physicians
Results From the Nation’s Only 20-Year Scorecard
As the health care reform debate continues, the 20th Anniversary Edition of America’s Health Rankings™ has identified trends that support the need to ensure prevention is part of the solution. The persistent use of tobacco and unprecedented rates of obesity are limiting improvements in national health outcomes.
· Smoking — Biggest Battle of Past 20 Years: Despite focused efforts, nearly one in five Americans still smoke. Smoking remains the leading preventable cause of disease and death in the country. Over the past year, however, more than 3 million people have quit smoking, suggesting that smoke-free laws, smoking bans, increased cigarette taxes, access to smoking cessation programs and other interventions can make an impact.
· Obesity: Next National Health Battle: Obesity is growing faster than any previous chronic health issue our nation has faced. Today, more than one in four Americans are considered obese. If current trends continue, 103 million American adults — or 43 percent of the population — will be considered obese in 2018, making obesity the nation’s next health battle.
· Other 20-Year Improvements and Challenges: Over the past 20 years, the nation has seen significant declines in crime rates, infectious disease, smoking and infant mortality rates. Challenges since 1990 include the rising uninsured rate, lack of progress in increasing high school graduation rates and the need to continue to improve access to adequate prenatal care for pregnant women.
Economic Impact of Obesity
United Health Foundation commissioned a unique supplemental report for this year’s Ranking to help understand the financial impact of obesity. This supplemental “Future Costs of Obesity” report was written by Kenneth E. Thorpe, Ph.D., Emory University professor and Partnership to Fight Chronic Disease executive director. The report is the first to provide projections around future health care costs directly attributable to obesity that have been individually calculated for each state, as well as the nation. Left unchecked, obesity will add nearly $344 billion to the nation’s annual health care costs by 2018 and account for more than 21 percent of health care spending. .
Get Informed and Take Action to Improve National Health
The 20th Anniversary Edition of America’s Health Rankings™ has more data than ever before,
and the data is now easier to access, compare and share. The following tools are now available at www.americashealthrankings.org:
· e-Rankings is a searchable database thatmakes it possible to find out how each state — and the nation — rates now compared to 20 years ago.
· Healthy Actions Center features tips, tools and programs offered by proven experts to help everyone — from individuals to elected officials — make a difference now.
· Obesity Cost Calculator highlights national and state-specific costs of obesity today and projects how those costs could skyrocket in the future.
About America’s Health Rankings™
America’s Health Rankings™is the longest running report of its kind. For 20 years, the Rankings has provided ananalysis of national health on a state-by-state basis by evaluating a historical and comprehensive set of health, environmental and socio-economic 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 the 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. Since established by UnitedHealth Group [NYSE: UNH] in 1999 as a not‑for‑profit, private foundation, the Foundation has committed more than $170 million to improve health and health care. For more information, visit www.unitedhealthfoundation.org.
About the American Public Health Association
The American Public Health Association (APHA) is the oldest and most diverse organization of public health professionals in the world and has been working to improve public health since 1872. The Association aims to protect all Americans, their families and their communities from preventable, serious health threats and strives to assure community-based health promotion and disease prevention activities and preventive health services are universally accessible in the United States. APHA represents a broad array of health professionals and others who care about their own health and the health of their communities. More information is available at www.apha.org.
About Partnership for Prevention
Partnership for Prevention is a membership organization of businesses, nonprofit organizations and government agencies advancing policies and practices to prevent disease and improve the health of all Americans. The organization seeks to increase investment in preventing disease, promoting health and making prevention a national priority among both the public and private sectors. For additional information, visit www.prevent.org.
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