Core Measures Outcomes | 2015 Annual Report

Introduction Findings Comparison With Other Nations Core Measures Behaviors Community & Environment Policy Clinical Care Outcomes Supplemental Measures State Summaries

Alabama

US SummaryAppendixDescription of Core Measures Description of Supplemental Measures Methodology Model Development Scientific Advisory Committee The Team Acknowledgements Conclusion

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Diabetes 
Diabetes, the US’s seventh-leading cause of death, has 3 major types: type 1, type 2, and gestational. Type 2 accounts for 90% to 95% of all cases and is a largely preventable progressive disease managed through lifestyle modifications and health care interventions. Type 2’s onset can be prevented through improving diet, increasing physical activity, and losing weight; study participants losing an average 12 pounds lowered risk 58% in 3 years. Diabetics’ medical expenses are 2.3 times higher than if they did not have diabetes. Costs of type 1, type 2, gestational and undiagnosed diabetes, and prediabetes exceeded $322 billion in 2012. 
Data source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2014 
For details: www.americashealthrankings.org/ALL/Diabetes


Poor Mental Health Days
The number of poor mental health days is a predictor of future health, forecasting 1-month and 12-month office visits and hospitalizations. Poor mental health in extreme cases can lead to suicide, the 10th-leading cause of death for all ages and the second-leading cause of death for adults aged 25 to 34. US medical costs of mental illness are not far behind those of heart disease and traumatic injury. The 2013 annual direct and indirect costs of untreated serious mental illness were estimated to be $300 billion annually, an increase of $200 billion from 2003 estimates. 
Data source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2014 
For details: www.americashealthrankings.org/ALL/MentalHealth


Poor Physical Health Days
Poor physical health days are an indicator of the population’s health-related quality of life. The number of poor physical health days reveals information about all-cause morbidity within the population regardless of disease or health condition. Poor physical health days and poor mental health days provide insight into overall health. Poor physical health not only indicates current health status, but it also predicts future health and future medical care; it has been shown that poor physical health is a predictor of 1-month and 12-month hospitalizations and office visits.
Data source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2014 
For details: www.americashealthrankings.org/ALL/PhysicalHealth
    
Disparity in Health Status
Education improves health, and this disparity measure showcases the importance of keeping students in school through high school and beyond. Reducing health disparities between US adults with less education and those with college education would result in savings of more than $1 trillion annually, according to the National Bureau of Economic Research. Education is a socioeconomic indicator associated with longer life regardless of age, gender, or race. It may improve health directly (healthier lifestyles, better stress-coping, more effective chronic disease management) and indirectly (better work and economic conditions and social-psychological resources). Each increase in education level generally improves health status.  
Data source: Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, 2014 
For details: www.americashealthrankings.org/ALL/healthstatus_disparity


Infant Mortality
The US infant mortality rate is higher than that of other developed countries, and geographic and racial disparities persist. Infant mortality in non-Hispanic black infants is more than twice that of non-Hispanic white infants, and the majority of states with the worst infant mortality are in the South. Infant mortality is an indicator of maternal health, prenatal care, and access to quality health care. Congenital malformations, low birthweight, and sudden infant death syndrome account for 58% of infant mortality. Prevention strategies include improving women’s pre-conception health, access to quality prenatal care, and reducing elective deliveries before 39 weeks. 
Data source: National Vital Statistics System, 2012 to 2013 
For details: www.americashealthrankings.org/ALL/IMR


“From 1915 through 1997, the infant mortality rate declined greater than 90%…, and from 1900 through 1997, the maternal mortality rate declined almost 99%.”  - Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report
Cardiovascular Deaths 
Heart disease and stroke are the US’s leading and fifth-leading death causes, respectively, and leading causes of disability with 85.6 million people living with cardiovascular disease or stroke effects. Heart disease causes 1 in 4 deaths. Among stroke victims, 90% have residual disability contributing to direct medical costs and lost productivity. Black adults are twice as likely to have a stroke and more likely to die from stroke than white adults, and American Indian and Alaska Natives experience cardiovascular death before age 65 at twice the national rate. Cardiovascular disease equals 17% of medical spending and 30% of Medicare spending. 
Data source: National Vital Statistics System, 2011 to 2013 
For details: www.americashealthrankings.org/ALL/CVDdeaths


 “Every day, 2,200 people die from cardiovascular diseases— that’s nearly 800,000 Americans each year.”  —Million Hearts 
Cancer Deaths 
Cancer is the US’s second-leading death cause. Most common sites in 2011 were breast, prostate, and lung. More than 1.7 million new cancer cases and 589,430 cancer deaths occur annually. Direct medical cancer costs were $88.7 billion in 2011. Prostate cancer disproportionately affects black men. Breast cancer is the most common cancer among adult women; white women have the highest incidence, but mortality risk is 44% greater for black women. World Cancer Research estimates 25% to 33% of new cancers relate to obesity, physical inactivity, and nutrition. Every US adult losing 2.2 pounds would prevent 100,000 new cancer cases annually. 
Data source: National Vital Statistics System, 2011 to 2013 
For details: www.americashealthrankings.org/ALL/CancerDeaths


“Forty-two states have enacted legislation limiting minors’ access to indoor tanning facilities, including restricting access by age or requiring parental permission and/or a physician’s order.”  —American Cancer Society 
Premature Death
Premature death reflects the difference between the age of death and age 75. Young people’s deaths are more likely to be preventable than senior deaths and often indicate health care system failures and/or lifestyle factors. Heart disease, cancer, unintentional injuries, suicide, and perinatal deaths are the US’s top 5 causes of premature death. Many causes are preventable. Examples: 88% of adult smokers began by age 18 even though smoking decreases life expectancy by at least 10 years compared with nonsmokers. Also, heart disease is tied to several modifiable risk factors such as obesity, diabetes, and physical inactivity. 
Data source: National Vital Statistics System, 2013 
For details: www.americashealthrankings.org/ALL/YPLL





 

Outcomes

Diabetes

Poor Mental Health Days

Poor Physical Health Days

Disparity in Health Status

Infant Mortality

Cardiovascular Deaths

Cancer Deaths

Premature Death

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