Type to search

Health Care News

National study ranks Delaware 31st in overall health

Avatar photo
Share

The United Health Foundation’s annual national healthy study ranked Delaware 31st in the nation for overall health.

Here are some of the key findings:

Obesity/Physical Activity

  • The obesity rate increased slightly from 30.7% to 31.8% at 31.6% – ranked #28 in the nation
  • The percentage of adults who reported doing no physical activity or exercise increased from 26.6% to 31.0% – #44 in the nation
  • DE is among the bottom states for neighborhood amenities, with 28.8% of children aged 0 to 17 having access to parks/playgrounds, recreation or community centers, libraries and sidewalks/walking paths ““ below the national average of 38.6%

Drug Use

  • In the past two years, drug deaths increased 33% from 18.1 to 24.0 deaths per 100,000 population – #42 in the nation
  • DE ranks #32 in premature death, with 7,992 years lost before age 75 per 100,000 population
    Mental Health
  • In the past year, mental health providers increased 6% from 235.7 to 249.6 per 100,000 population
  • In the past six years, frequent mental distress increased 30% from 10.5% to 13.7% of adults
  • DE had 12.2 suicide deaths per 100,000 population in 2018 ““ below the national average of 13.9

Access to Care

  • In the past two years, infant mortality increased 29% from 6.5 to 8.4 deaths per 1,000 live births
    DE ranks #48 in infant mortality and #39 in low birthweight
  • Delaware ranks #47 in the nation with only 44.1 dentists per 100,000 population

Other

  • The percentage of children aged 0 to 17 in poverty increased from 16.9% to 18.5%
  • In the past six years, excessive drinking decreased 24% from 22.1% to 16.8% of adults
  • In the past 10 years, air pollution decreased 41% from 14.6 to 8.6 micrograms of fine particles per cubic meter
  • DE is among the states with the highest percentage of disconnected youth (teens and young adults aged 16 to 24 neither working nor in school) at 14.3% – above the national average of 11.7%

Get the free DBT email newsletter  

Follow the people, companies and issues that matter most to business in Delaware.

You Might also Like

Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Premier Digital Partners

© 2024 Delaware Business Times

Important notice for access to your Delaware Business Times “Insider” content

Flash Sale! Subscribe to Delaware Business Times and save 50%.

Limited time offer. New subscribers only.

Limited time offer. New subscribers only.

SUMMER FLASH SALE!

Subscribe to Delaware Business Times and save 50%