Wisconsin has been ranked 22nd in the country for the health of its women and children, reflecting the state’s high level of access to clinical care.
The ranking comes from the latest United Health Foundation report. It analyzes states’ performance on an array of metrics, ranging from education and economic factors to health behaviors and options for obtaining health care.
The report spotlights clinical care as one of the state’s top strengths, for which it was ranked sixth for women and 19th for children.
Under the category specific to women, the state was ranked ninth for access to adequate prenatal care, fifth for dental visits, 12th for flu vaccination and third for dedicated health care providers.
The clinical care category for children included fewer favorable rankings, with more falling closer to the middle of the pack. The state was ranked 27th for its rate of ADD/ADHD treatment, 20th for childhood immunizations, and 12th for developmental screening.
In contrast, the state received a better ranking for the health behaviors of children — seventh in the country, versus 25th for women. This section covered factors such as exercise, sleep, smoking and other tobacco use and sexual health.
Still, Wisconsin’s health outcomes ratings were better for women than children, with a ranking of 24th versus 39th, respectively.
The report also highlights some recent trends tracked by the nonprofit foundation. The mortality rate for women in Wisconsin rose 9% since 2020, from 107.9 deaths per 100,000 women aged 20-44 years, to 117.3 deaths.
But over the same period, smoking during pregnancy fell 17%, from 8.3% to 6.9%.
See the full report: https://www.wisbusiness.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/10/AHR-2023-health-of-women-and-children-report-WI-full-1.pdf
–By Alex Moe
