State health slips in national rankings

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By MARK ANDERSEN / Lincoln Journal Star

Nebraska’s health slipped from the ranks of the top 10 in a new national report, dragged down by high rates of smoking, obesity and binge drinking, and a growing rate of uninsured.

For the nation as a whole, Wednesday’s report — 2008 America’s Health Rankings — was unflattering, saying the nation’s overall health had seen no improvement for a fourth consecutive year, following roughly 15 years of steady progress.

According to the study, Vermont ranks healthiest, followed in order by Hawaii, New Hampshire, Minnesota and Utah. Louisiana came in dead last, trailing in reverse order behind Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee and Texas.

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The report uses health statistical measures along with environmental and socio-economic data to determine rankings.

Nebraska ranks 13th this year, falling from 10th place last year.

Among the findings:

* In the past year, Nebraska’s rate of uninsured increased from 11.4 percent to 12.8 percent.

* On the good side, the state’s infant mortality rate declined from 6.5 to 5.7 deaths per 1,000 live births. Nebraska ranks No. 1 in the rate of high school graduation (88 percent), also scoring well in child immunizations (85 percent) and clean air.

Nebraska ranked 7th overall in the initial 1990 report, and then fell slowly to 16th place in 2003 before rebounding.

Similar to what’s happening in Nebraska, national health measures were weighed down by unprecedented levels of obesity, persistent tobacco use and increasing numbers of uninsured.

One in four Americans is currently considered obese, putting them at increased risk for health issues such as heart disease, stroke, high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes and certain cancers. Significant reductions in the prevalence of smoking have not occurred since the early 1990s. And nearly 46 million Americans are currently uninsured.

“Our collective national failure to successfully address the determinants of health over the past several years is tragically documented in this year’s report,” said Dr. Reed Tuckson, chief of medical affairs for UnitedHealth Group, in a press release. “Without action in these severe economic times, the harsh findings of this report will only be worse next year for our nation, states, communities, families, and individuals.”

The mediocrity uncovered in the report mirrors the findings of studies pitting the United States against other developed nations.

The United States ranks 28th in terms of a healthy life expectancy with an average of 69 years, while Japan leads all countries with an average of 75 years.

In a comparison of roughly 20 industrialized countries, the United States had the worst mortality rate from treatable conditions despite spending as much as double per person.

Dr. Georges Benjamin, director of the American Public Health Association, said, “We know improvement is possible because other nations have achieved far better health outcomes at less cost, indicating that we, too, can do the same.”

Reach Mark Andersen at 473-7238 or mandersen@journalstar.com.