No replies to this topic

[advancedatheist]

Obesity, Child Mortality Slowing U.S. Health Gains

Mon Nov 8, 5:23 PM ET

By Todd Zwillich

WASHINGTON (Reuters Health) - Rising obesity rates and the number of people without health insurance are placing a drag on health gains for the American population, according to the results of a survey released Monday.

The national health "report card," which has published a national report card on health each year since 1990, found continuing improvements in several key areas, including fewer deaths from violent crime, infectious diseases and car accidents. But the improvements have been largely offset in the last few years by a relentless rise in obesity and other factors.

Dr. Reed Tuckson, vice president of the American Health Foundation, said that he was also "distressed" by evidence that the US child mortality rate increased slightly between 2003 and 2004, the first uptick in 40 years. The United States now has an infant mortality rate of 7 deaths per 1000 live births, putting it behind 27 other nations.

The annual report evaluates all 50 states on 18 different measures. Some, like smoking rates, infant mortality, and infectious disease deaths, are direct indicators of the health of the population. Others, including insurance rates and education levels, are indirect indicators that have been shown to be associated with well-being....

State rankings placed Minnesota, Vermont, and New Hampshire at the top of the list for best overall health conditions. Mississippi remained in last place, unchanged from 2003. All but two states in the top 10, Hawaii and Utah, were northern states, while all but two at the bottom, West Virginia and Oklahoma, are in the Southeast.

Those southern states tend to have the highest rates of poverty, high rates of obesity, and lower levels of education. In addition, persistent disparities in health indicators for minority persons tend to have the most effect in those states.