The greatest health strengths and challenges in Colorado

The recently released “America’s Health Rankings 2022 Annual Report” uncovered several health strengths and challenges in Colorado.

Jan. 4, 2023

Colorado is ranked 10th in the country for overall health –which is the same ranking it received in 2019¹– according to America’s Health Rankings 2022 Annual Report. Below is a summary of the positive and negative factors that contributed to this ranking.²

Colorado health strengths

Low prevalence of obesity
Low economic hardship index score
Low prevalence of physical inactivity
34% decrease in smoking from 18.3% to 12% of adults between 2011 and 2021

Colorado health challenges

High prevalence of excessive drinking
Low rate of high school graduation
Low prevalence of having a dedicated health care provider
28% increase in frequent mental distress from 11.1% to 14.2% of adults between 2018 and 2021

What this means for employers

Employers who do business or have employees living in the state of Colorado may want to consider programs or benefits that can help support their employee population and guide them to better health decisions.

Learn more about the factors impacting the health of Colorado.

The real people behind these numbers are what make the work ahead so critically important. Despite the challenges ahead, I remain optimistic that the health system can rise to the moment to address long-standing disparities and improve the health and well-being of all Americans, for this generation and the next.

— Patricia L. Lewis, Chief Sustainability Officer at UnitedHealth Group

View the Colorado state summary (pdf)

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