The greatest health strengths and challenges in Maryland

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

Jan. 4, 2023

Maryland is ranked 8th in the country for overall health – an improvement from a ranking of 18 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

Maryland health strengths

Low prevalence of frequent physical distress
Low economic hardship index score
Low prevalence of cigarette smoking
50% increase in mental health providers from 219.3 to 328.1 per 100,000 population between 2017 and 2022
30% decrease in food insecurity from 12.5% to 8.7% of households between 2012 and 2014, as well as 2019 to 2021

Maryland health challenges

High premature death rate
High racial disparity in high school graduation rates
High Black/white residential segregation
19% increase in obesity from 28.9% to 34.3% of adults between 2015 and 2021

What this means for employers

Employers who do business or have employees living in the state of Maryland 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 Maryland.

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 Maryland state summary (pdf)

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