Oklahoma’s health ranking falls to 47th in the U.S.

Posted on: 12/19/18

The United Health Foundation released its annual America’s Health Rankings this week, showing that Oklahoma has fallen from 43rd to 47th in the nation. The poor health ranking is due in large part, the report said, to the state’s high number of uninsured citizens. Other factors include an increase in adult obesity (from 32.8 percent to 36.5 percent), and low rates of childhood and adolescent immunization. Oklahoma also has a high cardiovascular death rate and a high prevalence of physical inactivity.

Solutions vary, but as Oklahoma has the 2nd highest number of uninsured citizens in the U.S., it is clear that broadening health insurance coverage is key.

“Given that our new governor has stated a goal of becoming a top-10 state, we clearly have a long way to go and much work to do,” said Patti Davis, OHA president. “But we are up to the challenge. OHA will continue to work to encourage lawmakers to bring back federal dollars to our state to cover the uninsured. Doing so will increase access to preventive care, particularly in rural areas, and will improve the overall health of our state.”

For more information on Oklahoma’s ranking in the study, click here.