There’s been a startling increase in obesity since 1990 and the number of children living in poverty continues to increase, but Kansas is healthier than most states, according to a national survey released Tuesday.
In the latest edition of Americas’ Health Rankings, Kansas ranked 17th in the nation. Colorado was 16th; North Dakota 18th.
The rankings are an annual project of the United Health Foundation in partnership with the American Public Health Association and Partnership for Prevention.
The nonprofit United Health Foundation was established in 1999 by UnitedHealth Group, a Minneapolis-based health insurance company that reported more than $45.3 billion in revenue last year. The rankings are designed to promote and improve the general discussion of public health.
Minnesota, according to the foundation’s criteria, was found to be the healthiest state, followed by New Hampshire, Hawaii and Connecticut.
Louisiana came in 50th. Also at the bottom of the list were Mississippi, South Carolina, Tennessee and Arkansas.
Only three states Illinois, Ohio and Wisconsin showed more improvement since 2005, when Kansas ranked 23rd.
According to the survey, Kansas in 2006 ranked:
- 6th in the percentage of smokers: 17.8 percent,
- 8th in the percentage of uninsured: 10.8 percent,
- 11th in infectious disease: 7.9 cases per 100,000 population
The state also received high marks for 79.1 percent of the state’s pregnant women having received adequate prenatal care and for 83.8 percent of its children being immunized.
“We are pleased with the fact that Kansans are becoming healthier,” Kansas Department of Health and Environment Secretary Roderick L. Bremby said in a prepared statement. “However, there is more work that needs to be done, including addressing our rate of infant mortality and decreasing our motor vehicle fatality rate.”
The state posted an infant mortality rate of 7.1 deaths per 100,000 live births, up from 6.9 percent in 2005.
Kansas ranked 27th in motor vehicle deaths per 100 million miles driven.
“While there’s been a modest increase in seatbelt usage, we’re still below the national average,” Kansas Department of Transportation Secretary Deb Miller said.
The survey also noted that the number of Kansas children living in poverty increased from 17.8 percent to 19.8 percent since last year’s report. And since 1990, the percentage of people considered obese has nearly doubled.
Today, almost 24 percent of the state’s population is considered obese; 21 states’ populations were found to be less obese.
The survey caught the attention of Marci Nielsen, executive director of the Kansas Health Policy Authority.
“I, along with the Kansas Health Policy Authority Board, will continue to focus on using public health promotion strategies to decrease tobacco use, reduce the number of children and adults who are obese, and make health care more accessible and affordable for Kansans,” Nielsen said.
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