United States Statistics

Alabama (2005: Ranked 45Th for Quality of Health; Ranked 43rd in 2004)

Almost 80 percent of women in Alabama have received adequate prenatal care and 82.3 percent of children (aged 19 to 35 months) have received complete immunizations. Almost 14 percent of Alabama residents do not have health insurance, down from 16.9 percent in 1990. Top challenges include obesity (28.8 percent of the population), high poverty rates of children (24.2 percent, an increase from 22.3 in 2004), and a high premature death rate. Infant mortality rates range from 6.8 deaths per 1,000 live births for non-Hispanic whites to 14.7 deaths per 1,000 for non-Hispanic blacks.

Alaska (2005: Ranked 30th for Quality of Health; Ranked 24th in 2004)

Only 12.0 percent of children live in poverty; there is a low total mortality rate at 795.4 deaths per 100,000 people; and cardiovascular-related deaths number only 275.1 per 100,000. The percentage of uninsured residents dropped from 18.9 percent in 2004 to 17 percent in 2005. Access to quality prenatal care is somewhat limited, with 66.5 percent of women receiving adequate care. Only 75.3 percent of children (aged 19 to 35 months) have received a complete set of immunizations, down from 79.7 percent in 2004. Only 60.7 percent of ninth graders have been graduating from high school. More than 24 percent of the population smoke.

Arizona (2005: Ranked 31st for Quality of Health; Ranked 23rd in 2004)

Only 18.5 percent of the population smoke, down from 29.5 percent in 1990 and 20.8 percent in 2004. There is a low rate of cancer deaths (184.5 deaths per 100,000), cardiovascular deaths (287.1 per 100,000), and low work-related fatalities (4.1 deaths per 100,000 workers). Only 68.5 percent of women have received adequate prenatal care and the rate of children living in poverty has increased from 19.1 percent in 2004 to 21.1 percent in 2005.

Arkansas (2005: Ranked 47th for Quality of Health; Ranked 46th in 2004)

More than 82 percent of children (aged 19 to 35 months) have received complete immunizations, up from 76.5 percent in 2004, and 74.2 percent of ninth graders go on to graduate within four years. Children living in poverty declined from 26.8 percent in 2004 to 21.8 percent in 2005. Infectious disease is low at 17.8 cases per 100,000 people, down from 37 cases per 100,000 in 1990. Significant percentages (25.5 percent) of residents smoke and are obese (26 percent), up from 13.2 percent in 1990.

California (2005: Ranked 22nd for Quality of Health, Ranked Same in 2004)

A low percentage of residents smoke (14.7), down from 16.8 percent in 2004 and 25.6 percent in 1990. The percentage of children (aged 19 to 35 months) with complete immunizations is 81.3 percent, up from 77.4 percent in 2004. Cancer deaths are low at 191.9 per 100,000 people. Infant mortality is at 4.9 deaths per 1,000 live births, down from 9.0 in 1990. Over 18 percent of residents do not have health insurance and infectious diseases affect 26.7 out of every 100,000 people. Violent crime affects 552 out of 100,000 people.

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