Report: Florida Among Ten Most Unhealthy States

[Judi Lynn]

Report: Florida Among Ten Most Unhealthy States

POSTED: 7:00 am EST November 9, 2004


ORLANDO, Fla. -- A new report ranks Florida among the ten worst states for the health of its residents.

Florida came in 42nd in Monday's report, the same spot it held last year. The ranking is based on 18 criteria that include the state's number of smokers, death rates for cancer and heart disease, prevalence of violent crime and high-school graduation rates.

In Florida's favor were its low obesity rate and the amount of money the state spends on public health. But the number of smokers and the uninsured rose.

Minnesota is the healthiest state in the nation. Louisiana came in last.
(snip/...)

http://www.wftv.com/health/3902017/detail.html

[snippy]

1. This is what happens when people vote republican. n/t

[RazzleCat]

3. The redder the state the lower its ranking

coincidence I don't think so

[The Zanti Regent]

2. Oh, I love your picture of the PRINCE OF WAILS!

Look at that asshole, just chomping at the bit...

[JI7]

4. there is a picture of the chimp with that ugly similar face

can someone post them side by side if you have the pic ?


the bottom 16 states which includes florida all went for chimp

[Judi Lynn]

6. I don't think this is the one, but it's stupid, too.....

[JI7]

10. hahaha, yes thanks

the one you put on your original post next to jeb's pic was the exact one i was thinking of.

[moondust]

5. 8 of the top 10 are blue states.

The bottom 16 are all red states.

http://www.unitedhealthfoundation.org/shr2004/Findings.html

[sweetheart]

7. the bottom 15 states all voted bush

Maryland at position 34 is the most unhealthy democratic state.
http://www.wftv.com/health/3899738/detail.html

Seems low IQ, poor health and mental illness (GOP voting) are
correlated!

[Maeve]

8. To be fair, how much of that is due to it being a retirement state?

I think that would be a major factor in the death rates.

[ozymandius]

13. Like Maeve says -

This state is full of people who have chronic health problems due to their advanced age. My wife's Uncle Jerry, for example, has battled cancer for a long time. Now he battles complications from cancer treatment.

Among other red states - look at the typical diet. Southern cuisine has not often been noted for its healthful qualities.

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

17. The study is weighted for that..it doesn't play into it..

From the study:
Florida is 42nd this year, unchanged from 2003. Its strengths are high support for public health with 10.8 percent of the state health budget allocated to public health, a low prevalence of obesity at 19.9 percent of the population, a low rate of cancer deaths at 193.5 deaths per 100,000 population and a low total mortality rate at 807.5 deaths per 100,000 population. The state continues to face several challenges, including a high violent crime rate at 770 offenses per 100,000 population, a low high school graduation rate with 55.7 percent of incoming ninth graders who graduate within four years and a high incidence of infectious disease at 43.8 cases per 100,000 population. Florida is 47th for the combined measures of risk factors and 27th for the combined measures of outcomes, indicating that Florida is unlikely to improve its relative ranking in the near future without reductions in the risk factors. Health disparities in the state are high for both access to adequate prenatal care and premature death rates. Black non-Hispanics experience 12,767 years of potential life lost before age 75 per 100,000 population compared to Hispanic individuals who experience 5,342 years lost.

In the past year, the prevalence of smoking increased from 22.0 percent to 23.9 percent of the population, the rate of motor vehicle deaths declined from 2.0 to 1.8 deaths per 100,000,000 miles driven and the rate of cancer deaths declined from 196.0 to 193.5 deaths per 100,000 population.

Since 1990, access to adequate prenatal care has increased from 62.8 percent to 80.4 percent of pregnant women receiving adequate prenatal care, the rate of motor vehicle deaths has declined from 3.1 to 1.8 deaths per 100,000,000 miles driven and the incidence of infectious disease has decreased from 47.0 to 43.8 cases per 100,000 population, a slower decline than other states.

To learn more about health and health initiatives in Florida, visit the Florida state department of health Web site at: www.doh.state.fl.us/

Go to the Florida page


Georgia

Georgia is 45th this year, its lowest ranking in the 15 years of this report; it was 41st in 2003. Its strengths include a low number of limited activity days per month at 2.0 days in the previous 30 days, a low rate of cancer deaths at 203.0 deaths per 100,000 population and high access to adequate prenatal care at 76.7 percent of pregnant women receiving adequate prenatal care. Challenges include a very low high school graduation rate with 53.6 percent of incoming ninth graders who graduate within four years, a high incidence of infectious disease at 41.3 cases per 100,000 population and low support for public health with just 0.8 percent of the state health budget allocated to public health. Health disparities within the state's prenatal care program are low compared to other states, but more disparity is illustrated by the differences in premature death rates. Black non-Hispanic individuals experience 12,773 years of potential life lost before age 75 per 100,000 population compared to 4,360 years lost for the Hispanic population. Georgia is 45th for the combined measures of risk factors and 41st for the combined measures of outcomes, indicating the state is unlikely to change significantly in ranking in the near future.

In the past year, the percentage of children in poverty decreased from 19.5 percent to 17.7 percent of persons under age 18, and per capita public health spending declined from $30 to $7 per person.

Since 1990, the prevalence of smoking has decreased from 31.8 percent to 22.8 percent of the population, access to adequate prenatal care has increased from 66.8 percent to 76.7 percent of pregnant women receiving adequate prenatal care and the prevalence of obesity has increased from 10.8 percent to 25.2 percent of the population.

To learn more about health and health initiatives in Georgia, visit the Georgia state department of health Web site at: www.ph.dhr.state.ga.us/

Go to the Georgia page


Hawaii

Hawaii is fourth this year; it was 10th in 2003. Hawaii has been among the top ten states for 13 of the 15 years of this index. It is number one for a low prevalence of obesity at 16.4 percent of the population, a low rate of deaths from cardiovascular disease at 251.6 deaths per 100,000 population, a low rate of cancer deaths at 166.0 deaths per 100,000 population and a low total mortality rate at 675.4 deaths per 100,000 population. Other strengths include a low prevalence of smoking, a low violent crime rate, a low rate of uninsured population, strong support for public health and a low premature death rate. Challenges for the state include a low high school graduation rate with 64.8 percent of incoming ninth graders who graduate within four years and a moderate incidence of infectious disease at 22.6 cases per 100,000 population. Hawaii is fourth for the combined measures of outcomes and sixth for the combined measures of risk factors, indicating that the state's relative health is likely to remain the same in the near future. Health disparities within the state are among the lowest in the country for premature death rates; however, there is some evidence of disparity in access to adequate prenatal care.

In the past year, the prevalence of smoking declined from 21.0 percent to 17.2 percent of the population, the percentage of children in poverty declined from 15.9 percent to 12.0 percent of persons under age 18 and the high school graduation rate increased from 61.0 percent to 64.8 percent of incoming ninth graders who graduate within four years. The number of limited activity days per month increased from 1.2 to 1.9 days in the previous 30 days.

Since 1990, the percentage of children in poverty has decreased from 20.7 percent to 12.0 percent of persons under age 18, access to adequate prenatal care has increased from 65.8 percent to 75.1 percent of pregnant women receiving adequate prenatal care and the high school graduation rate has declined from 84.5 percent to 64.8 percent of incoming ninth graders who graduate within four years.

To learn more about health and health initiatives in Hawaii, visit the Hawaii state department of health Web site at: www.state.hi.us/health/

Go to the Hawaii page

[ZR2]

9. Since Florida is filled with retirees

It's not surprising the cancer and heart problem rates are high.

[PCIntern]

11. So what...

Like all of a sudden, we're supposed to care? these people certainly don't care if their nation is at peace, if people have jobs, if the water is clean, if the leaders are telling the truth. why should I care and sully my beautiful mind with negaitve images, when I live in the proud Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, which rejected the Bush Doctrine, despite 50 visits here. It's true - Democracy is Beautiful, these people are all going to get exactly what they voted for.

And I love it!

[midnight armadillo]

12. Hmm, let's see here...

Yup, it's a red state.

Fuck 'em.

[floridaguy]

14. Exit strategy?

So it's come to my attention that I'm living in "red-state" Republican Hell!

Now, until November 2nd, I rationalized that I was put here as a thorn in their ass, and I was. I even got a job with the campaign and became the most outspoken Kerry supporter I could be. It must of worked, because a prominent member of the Repugnant Club felt the need to hurl insults at me, as I strode around the track of the gym wearing my "Anyone But Bush" shirt.

That was then, this is now. I'm considering leaving the no-so-great-state of Florida, so I'm looking for suggestions. I prefer water locations, or mountains, but not major cities. Small towns with an eye toward the environment are a plus.

[dArKeR]

15. National smoking rate at 27%? I think it's much higher and there is a

conspiracy by our gov. and tobacco to 'revise down' the figures. The West Coast is suppose to be full of healthy and progressive people but why do i constantly and daily see what seems more than 40% of the people smoking? (From CA to OR to WA.) Not only that, I see a higher percentage of young people smoking. Aren't we all supposed to know NOT to smoke? Nicotine must be one nasty addictive drug!!!

Let not all forget that Clinton and the Dems. are the ones that led the charge and stopped smoking in the work place, most indoor buildings... And the only reason the airlines stopped smoking on flights was because of threats of massive lawsuits from Flight Attendents. (Thanks for such moral Christian airline executives making decisions of faith and not business.) But no corporations will need to worry about these situations in the future under aWol and the repukes. In fact I wonder if the Southern American tobacco industry is the real source of money and dirty tricks against the Democrats?

In WA, everywhere, I see smoking posters in all convience stores. The posters are in the windows pointing outside where children can see them at eye level. The current poster I see everywhere is a cartoon type, and Indiana Jones type sketch. Moral American Repukelican Corporations!

[GoBlue]

16. Median rankings

Blue States =15
Red States =35