Tue November 6, 2007
We can blame food, smoking for bad rating
Top 5 states: 1-Vermont, 2-Minnesota, 3-Hawaii, 4-New Hampshire,
5-Connecticut
Bottom 5 states:
46-Tennessee,
47-Oklahoma,
48-Arkansas,
49-Louisiana,
50-Mississippi
Staff Writer
Oklahomans eat too much, smoke too much and too often die from heart disease, researchers say, and only three states fared worse in a United Health Foundation state-by-state study of residents' health released on Monday.
In overall health for 2007, Oklahoma ranked 47th-worst, ahead of only Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi. Top-ranked states were Vermont, Minnesota, Hawaii, New Hampshire and Connecticut. Oklahoma dropped from 44th in 2006.
Oklahoma improved the least since 1990, and has only raised its overall score minimally since 1990 while the other states did better, according to the foundation's report.
Oklahoma ranked worst in the nation in cardiovascular deaths and 47th worst in prevalence of smoking, according to the report, "A Call to Action for People and Their Communities.”
In specific health categories, 25 percent of Oklahomans are listed as smokers and 29 percent of residents are considered obese.
"Since 1990, the prevalence of obesity increased from 11.6 percent to 29 percent,” noted the foundation's report about Oklahomans.
Obesity is defined as "an excessive accumulation of body fat, usually caused by the consumption of more calories than the body can use. The excess calories are then stored as fat.”
"This report is very disappointing,” said Pam Troup, a member of the executive committee of Central Oklahoma Turning Point, a health improvement initiative. "Despite many education programs, we're just not seeing changes in lifestyle behaviors. The best thing that could be done in Oklahoma would be for people to stop smoking and stop using all tobacco products.”
Oklahoma also was cited for limited access to primary-care physicians. That contributed to the state's low ranking, according to the national report.
Some 19 percent of Oklahomans lack health insurance and 21 percent of children live in poverty, the report stated.
What's the reaction?
In reacting to the report, public health authorities said several factors in the report aren't within their realm of control. The United Health Foundation's assessment also included measures of economic and social conditions that can affect health outcomes.
"Certainly, we are most disappointed that our state health status ranking has dropped,” Dr. Mike Crutcher, commissioner of the Oklahoma Health Department, said Monday.
"In the past year, Oklahoma has experienced some noteworthy achievements that we felt should have improved our state's health ranking.”
Crutcher said Oklahoma's immunization coverage for children from 19 to 35 months has improved from 44th to 25th in the nation — with 80.4 percent of these children now fully immunized against 10 diseases including polio and hepatitis B.
Other successes include a reduction in the state's infectious-disease rate, which has decreased by 60 percent since 1990.
Similarly, Oklahoma's smoking prevalence has decreased by 24 percent since 1990, although the annual rate has remained at about 25 percent since 2000, he said.
"Numerous organizations and initiatives — including the ‘Strong and Healthy Oklahoma' initiative and the Turning Point and Fit Kids coalitions — are working together throughout the state toward the common goal of achieving positive health changes,” Crutcher said.
"While we are disappointed in the new state health ranking, we are also even more determined to confront — and overcome — those challenges keeping our state from achieving significant health improvements,” Crutcher said.
How one state improved
New Mexico had a 4.5 percent increase in its health status over last year, and was ranked 38th in the report.
"We have doubled the number of school-based health centers across New Mexico, increasing students' access to free primary and behavioral health care in their schools,” said Deborah Busemeyer, spokeswoman for the New Mexico Health Department.
"We have expanded insurance coverage for business owners, workers, people with disabilities and every child up to age 12,” she said. "We have also created an ‘obesity interagency' to help state agencies collaborate.”
Officials with the Oklahoma Academy of Family Physicians said they are attempting to increase the number of general practice doctors in the state.
"Our efforts at the University of Oklahoma College of Medicine campus include introducing medical students to family medicine through preceptor programs with family physicians, monthly lectures relating to primary care, and community-outreach activities including hands-on clinics for the homeless and uninsured patients,” said Sam Blackstock, academy executive vice president.
"We are also even more determined to confront — and overcome — those challenges keeping our state from achieving significant health improvements.”
Dr. Mike Crutcher, health commissioner
Re: Oklahoma Ranks DEAD Last in Health Care!!
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Originally Posted by okclee
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