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.
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.
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.