The greatest health strengths and challenges in Tennessee
The recently released “America’s Health Rankings 2022 Annual Report” uncovered several health strengths and challenges in Tennessee.
Tennessee is ranked 44th 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
Tennessee health strengths
- Low prevalence of excessive drinking
- High supply of primary care providers
- Low percentage of households experiencing severe housing problems
- 12% increase in high-speed internet from 81% to 90.8% of households between 2016 and 2021
Tennessee health challenges
- High premature death rate
- High prevalence of multiple chronic conditions
- High prevalence of cigarette smoking
- 44% increase in drug deaths from 30.6 to 44.1 deaths per 100,000 population between 2019 and 2020
- 31% increase in frequent mental distress from 13.7% to 18% of adults between 2017 and 2021
What this means for employers
Employers who do business or have employees living in the state of Tennessee 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 Tennessee.
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.