The greatest health strengths and challenges in Iowa
The recently released “America’s Health Rankings 2022 Annual Report” uncovered several health strengths and challenges in Iowa.
Iowa is ranked 15th in the country for overall health – which is an improvement from its rank of 20 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
Iowa health strengths
- Low prevalence of frequent physical distress
- Low percentage of low birthweight infants
- Low uninsured rate
- 41% decrease in food insecurity from 11.9% to 7% of households between 2011-2013 and 2019-2021
Iowa health challenges
- High prevalence of excessive drinking
- High occupational fatality rate
- Low supply of mental health providers
- 36% increase in frequent mental health from 10.2% to 13.9% of adults between 2018 and 2021
- 14% increase in premature death from 6,868 to 7,803 years lost before age 75 per 100,000 population between 2019 and 2020
What this means for employers
Employers who do business or have employees living in the state of Iowa may want to consider programs or benefits that can help support their employee population and guide them to better health decisions.
Breaking down the findings from America’s Health Rankings 2022 Annual Report
The latest findings highlight some of the greatest health challenges and strengths across the nation, with racial and ethnic disparities coming into sharp focus.