The greatest health strengths and challenges in Wisconsin
The recently released “America’s Health Rankings 2022 Annual Report” uncovered several health strengths and challenges in Wisconsin.
Jan. 5, 2023
Wisconsin is ranked 21st in the country for overall health – an improvement from a ranking of 23 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
Wisconsin health strengths
- Low prevalence of non-medical drug use
- Low income inequality
- Low prevalence of physical inactivity
- 41% increase in flu vaccination from 36% to 50.7% of adults between 2016 and 2021
Wisconsin health challenges
- High racial disparity in premature death rates
- High prevalence of excessive drinking
- High Black/white residential segregation
- 36% increase in frequent mental distress from 10% to 13.6% of adults between 2015 and 2021
- 29% increase in drug deaths from 20.9 to 26.9 deaths per 100,000 population between 2019 and 2020
What this means for employers
Employers who do business or have employees living in the state of Wisconsin 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 Wisconsin.
