The greatest health strengths and challenges in Texas

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

Jan. 5, 2023

Texas is ranked 38th in the country for overall health – a decline from a ranking of 34 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

Texas health strengths

Low prevalence of frequent mental distress
Low prevalence of multiple chronic conditions
Low prevalence of cigarette smoking
11% increase in high-speed internet of households from 82.9% to 92% between 2016 and 2021
12% increase in mental health providers from 133 to 148.6 per 100,000 population between 2021 and 2022

Texas health challenges

High economic hardship index score
High percentage of household food insecurity
High uninsured rate
38% increase in drug deaths from 10.4 to 14.3 deaths per 100,000 population between 2016 and 2020

What this means for employers

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

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 Texas state summary (pdf)

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