The greatest health strengths and challenges in Rhode Island
The recently released “America’s Health Rankings 2022 Annual Report” uncovered several health strengths and challenges in Rhode Island.
Rhode Island is ranked 11th in the country for overall health – an improvement from a ranking of 13 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
Rhode Island health strengths
- Low prevalence of obesity
- High adult flu vaccination rate
- Low uninsured rate
- 42% decrease in food insecurity from 14.4% to 8.4% of households between 2011 and 2013, as well as 2019 and 2021
Rhode Island health challenges
- High prevalence of excessive drinking
- High income inequality
- Low supply of dental care providers
- 19% increase in depression from 19.6% to 23.3% of adults between 2019 and 2021
- 15% increase in premature death from 6,174 and 7,082 years lost before age 75 per 100,000 population between 2018 and 2020
What this means for employers
Employers who do business or have employees living in the state of Rhode Island 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 Rhode Island.
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.