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Executive BriefIntroductionNational HighlightsKey FindingsSocial and Economic FactorsPhysical EnvironmentClinical CareBehaviorsHealth OutcomesInternational ComparisonState Summaries
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Alaska
Arizona
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District of Columbia
Florida
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Indiana
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US SummaryAppendixMeasures TableData Source DescriptionsThe Team
AlabamaAlaskaArizonaArkansasCaliforniaColoradoConnecticutDelawareDistrict of ColumbiaFloridaGeorgiaHawaiiIdahoIllinoisIndianaIowaKansasKentuckyLouisianaMaineMarylandMassachusettsMichiganMinnesotaMississippiMissouriMontanaNebraskaNevadaNew HampshireNew JerseyNew MexicoNew YorkNorth CarolinaNorth DakotaOhioOklahomaOregonPennsylvaniaRhode IslandSouth CarolinaSouth DakotaTennesseeTexasUtahVermontVirginiaWashingtonWest VirginiaWisconsinWyomingUS SummaryAppendixMeasures TableData Source DescriptionsThe TeamBehavioral Health
Drug Deaths
Heavy drug use and overdoses burden individuals, families, their communities, the health care system and the economy. Drug poisoning was the most common cause of injury deaths in 2019.
Findings
Deaths due to drug injury (unintentional, suicide, homicide or undetermined) in the U.S. significantly increased 4% from 20.6 to 21.5 deaths per 100,000 population between 2018 and 2019. This increase reversed a 5% decrease between 2017 and 2018. When considering long-term trends, however, drug deaths increased 79% between 2009 and 2019 (from 12.0). There were nearly twice as many drug deaths in the U.S. in 2019 (approximately 70,600) than in 2009 (approximately 37,000). Recently released provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that drug overdose deaths reached a record high of roughly 93,000 in 2020.
Drug deaths significantly increased in eight states between 2018 and 2019, led by 27% in Mississippi (10.6 to 13.5), 23% in Minnesota (11.5 to 14.2) and 16% in California (13.5 to 15.7). Over the same period, drug deaths significantly decreased in one state: 8% in Michigan (26.3 to 24.2).
Between 2009 and 2019, drug deaths significantly increased across all subpopulations. Between 2018 and 2019, drug deaths significantly increased:
Disparities
In 2019, drug deaths were highest in West Virginia (50.4), the District of Columbia (49.4), Delaware (46.2) and Maryland (38.5); they were lowest in Nebraska (8.7), South Dakota (10.3), and both North Dakota and Texas (11.1).
In 2019, drug deaths significantly varied by race and ethnicity, age and gender. The rate was higher among:
- The American Indian/Alaska Native population (29.1), 7.5 times higher than among the Asian/Pacific Islander population (3.9).
Related findings
In 2021, the percentage of adults who reported using prescription drugs non-medically (including pain relievers, stimulants and sedatives) or illicit drugs (excluding cannabis) in the last 12 months was 12.0% nationally. Between 2020 and 2021, there were no significant changes in non-medical drug use nationally or at the state level. In 2021, non-medical drug use was highest in the District of Columbia (18.7%); Oregon, Oklahoma and Nevada (all 17.2%); and both Georgia and Colorado (16.2%). It was lowest in Vermont (4.7%), North Dakota (7.1%) and Massachusetts (7.3%).
Excessive Drinking
Alcohol is the third-leading preventable cause of death in the United States, behind tobacco and poor diet/physical inactivity. Excessive drinking comes with short- and long-term risks ranging from motor vehicle accidents to hypertension, heart disease, stroke and liver disease.
Findings
Nationally, the percentage of adults who reported binge drinking or heavy drinking decreased 5% from 18.6% to 17.6% between 2019 and 2020, equaling roughly 40.4 million adults in 2020. The rate hasn’t been this low since 2014. This change was likely driven by a 7% decrease in binge drinking from 16.8% to 15.7% between 2019 and 2020, while heavy drinking moved from 6.5% to 6.7% over the same period.
Excessive drinking significantly decreased in four states: 31% in Illinois (21.6% to 14.8%), 15% in Maine (19.9% to 17.0%), 13% in Massachusetts (21.3% to 18.5%) and 9% in Minnesota (22.0% to 20.1%) between 2019 and 2020.
Between 2019 and 2020, excessive drinking significantly decreased:
- 8% among adults ages 25 and older with some college education (18.0% to 16.6%) and 7% among college graduates (18.3% to 17.0%).
- 6% among adults ages 25 and older with an annual household income of $75,000 or more (22.6% to 21.3%).
Disparities
In 2020, excessive drinking was highest in both the District of Columbia and Wisconsin (24.4%), Iowa (22.8%) and North Dakota (22.4%); it was lowest in both Utah and West Virginia (12.1%), Oklahoma (12.8%) and Maryland (13.8%).
In 2020, excessive drinking varied the most by age and race and ethnicity, but also significantly varied by gender, income and education. The percentage was higher among:
- Adults ages 18-44 (23.4%), 3.2 times higher than among adults ages 65 and older (7.4%). Excessive drinking was significantly lower with each increase in age group.
- Hispanic adults (18.6%), 1.9 times higher than among Asian adults (9.9%). Excessive drinking was significantly lower among Asian adults than all other racial and ethnic groups except adults who identified their race as other (11.5%). Excessive drinking among Hispanic adults was not statistically different from white (18.4%), multiracial (18.2%), Hawaiian/Pacific Islander (18.0%) and American Indian/Alaska Native (16.7%) adults.
- Adults ages 25 and older with an annual household income of $75,000 or more (21.3%) than those with an income less than $25,000 (13.2%). Excessive drinking was significantly higher with each increase in income level.
- Adults ages 25 and older who graduated from college (17.0%), those with a high school degree (16.9%) and those with some college education (16.6%) than those with less than a high school education (14.9%).
Frequent Mental Distress
Frequent mental distress is determined by self-reported poor mental health days. The measure aims to capture the population experiencing persistent, and likely severe, mental health issues that may have a significant impact on health-related quality of life and overall wellness.
Findings
Nationally, the percentage of adults who reported their mental health was not good 14 or more days in the past 30 days decreased 4% from 13.8% to 13.2% between 2019 and 2020, affecting approximately 34.1 million adults in 2020. This recent decrease reversed a steady increase from 2014 to 2019.
Frequent mental distress significantly decreased in two states: 17% in Mississippi (17.3% to 14.4%) and 15% in West Virginia (20.6% to 17.5%) between 2019 and 2020.
Between 2019 and 2020, frequent mental distress significantly decreased 7% among adults ages 25 and older with a high school degree (14.1% to 13.1%) and 6% among males (11.6% to 10.9%). Over the same period, frequent mental distress significantly increased 19% among adults ages 25 and older with an annual household income of $75,000 or more (7.5% to 8.9%) and 13% among adults ages 25 and older who graduated from college (8.3% to 9.4%).
Disparities
In 2020, frequent mental distress was highest in Arkansas (17.8%), Louisiana (17.6%) and West Virginia (17.5%); it was lowest in South Dakota (9.4%), Alaska (9.9%) and Illinois (10.0%).
In 2020, frequent mental distress varied most by race and ethnicity and income, but also significantly varied by age, education and gender. The percentage was higher among:
- Multiracial adults (21.1%), 2.9 times higher than among Asian adults (7.4%). Frequent mental distress among multiracial adults was not statistically different than among American Indian/Alaska Native adults (18.8%). Frequent mental distress among Asian adults was significantly lower than all other racial and ethnic groups.
- Adults ages 25 and older with an annual household income less than $25,000 (20.7%), 2.3 times higher than among those with an income of $75,000 or more (8.9%). Frequent mental distress was significantly lower with each increase in income level.
- Adults ages 25 and older with less than a high school education (16.4%) than those who graduated from college (9.4%).
Related findings
Nationally, the percentage of adults who reported ever being told by a health professional that they have a depressive disorder (including depression, major depression, minor depression or dysthymia) decreased 2% from 19.9% to 19.5% between 2019 and 2020. Depression significantly decreased in four states: 20% in Illinois (18.3% to 14.7%), 17% in both Idaho (22.7% to 18.9%) and Florida (17.7% to 14.7%) and 14% in Oregon (24.6% to 21.2%) between 2019 and 2020. Over the same period, depression significantly increased in one state: 23% in Connecticut (14.4% to 17.7%). In 2020, depression was highest in West Virginia (26.4%), Kentucky (24.2%) and Tennessee (24.1%); it was lowest in Hawaii (12.7%), California (14.1%), Florida (14.7%) and Illinois (14.7%).
Suicide
Suicide was the 10th-leading cause of death in the United States in 2019. In the same year, there were an estimated 1.4 million suicide attempts. Mental health disorders and substance use disorders are the most significant risk factors for suicidal behaviors.
Findings
Deaths due to intentional self-harm significantly decreased 2% nationally from 14.8 to 14.5 deaths per 100,000 population between 2018 and 2019, returning to the same rate as 2017. This recent decrease follows a steady increase in the suicide rate from 2009 (12.0) to 2018. There were more than 47,500 deaths by suicide in 2019, roughly 830 fewer than in 2018.
Despite the national decrease, no states experienced significant changes between 2018 and 2019.
Between 2018 and 2019, suicide significantly decreased 3% among the white population from 18.6 to 18.1. There were no other significant changes by age, gender or race and ethnicity.
Disparities
In 2019, suicide was highest in Wyoming (29.8), Alaska (28.6) and Montana (27.0); it was lowest in the District of Columbia (6.5), New Jersey (8.4), New York (8.6) and Massachusetts (9.1).
In 2019, suicide significantly varied by gender, race and ethnicity and age. The rate was higher among:
- The American Indian/Alaska Native population (21.4), 2.9 times higher than among both Asian and Black (7.3) and Hispanic (7.4) populations. The white population also had a higher rate at 18.1.
Physical Health
High Health Status
Adults with high self-reported health status have lower rates of mortality from all causes compared with those with low self-reported health status.
Findings
Nationally, the percentage of adults who reported their health was very good or excellent increased 13% from 49.7% to 56.3% between 2019 and 2020. This reversed a downward trend that began in 2012, when the percentage of adults reporting high health status was 52.7%. States with the highest percentage of high health status were concentrated in the West, Midwest and Northeast. States with the lowest percentage of high health status were concentrated in the South and included Nevada.
High health status significantly increased in 46 states, led by 21% in Hawaii (47.8% to 57.9%), 20% in New Mexico (44.9% to 53.7%) and 19% in both Maine (51.1% to 60.7%) and South Dakota (51.9% to 61.6%) between 2019 and 2020.
Between 2019 and 2020, high health status significantly increased among all education levels, all racial and ethnic groups except adults who identified as other race, all income and age levels and both genders. By group, the largest increases were:
- 24% among adults ages 25 and older with an annual household income less than $25,000 (26.5% to 32.8%).
Disparities
In 2020, high health status was highest in the District of Columbia (64.2%), Colorado (63.3%), Massachusetts (62.3%), and both New Hampshire and Vermont (62.1%); it was lowest in West Virginia (44.7%), Mississippi (46.1%) and Alabama (47.5%).
In 2020, high health status varied most by education, income and age, but also significantly varied by race and ethnicity and gender. The percentage was higher among:
- Adults ages 25 and older who graduated from college (69.3%), 2.4 times higher than among those with less than a high school education (29.3%). High health status was significantly higher with each increase in educational attainment.
- Adults ages 25 and older with an annual household income of $75,000 or more (70.6%), 2.2 times higher than among those with an income less than $25,000 (32.8%). High health status was significantly higher with each increase in income level.
- Adults ages 18-44, 1.5 times higher than among adults ages 65 and older (43.5%). High health status was significantly lower with each increase in age group.
- Asian (60.5%) and white (59.2%) adults than American Indian/Alaska Native (43.5%), Hispanic (46.5%) and Black (47.7%) adults.
Related Findings
Nationally, the percentage of adults who reported their physical health was not good 14 or more days in the past 30 days decreased 21% from 12.5% to 9.9% between 2019 and 2020. Frequent physical distress significantly decreased in 34 states, led by 35% in Maine (14.0% to 9.1%), 31% in Hawaii (10.6% to 7.3%) and 29% in Virginia (11.7% to 8.3%) between 2019 and 2020. In 2020, frequent physical distress was highest in West Virginia (15.8%), Kentucky (15.2%) and Arkansas (14.2%); it was lowest in the District of Columbia (6.7%), both Hawaii and Maryland (7.3%) and Massachusetts (7.7%).
Multiple Chronic Conditions
Adults with multiple chronic conditions represent one of the highest-need segments of the population because each of their chronic conditions is likely to require extra medication and monitoring.
Findings
Nationally, the percentage of adults who had three or more of the eight chronic health conditions included in this measure decreased 4% from 9.5% to 9.1% between 2019 and 2020. This is the second year in a row multiple chronic conditions decreased, dropping below the previous lowest rate from 2015 (9.4%), when America’s Health Rankings first analyzed data for this measure.
Despite the national decrease, no states experienced significant changes between 2019 and 2020.
Between 2019 and 2020, multiple chronic conditions significantly decreased 24% among American Indian/Alaska Native adults (18.1% to 13.8%), 8% among adults ages 25 and older who graduated from college (6.2% to 5.7%) and 7% among adults ages 45-64 (12.3% to 11.4%).
Nationally in 2020, the most prevalent conditions among adults with multiple chronic conditions were arthritis and depression. Between 2019 and 2020, the national prevalence decreased 7% for cancer (7.3% to 6.8%), 5% for both arthritis (25.9% to 24.5%) and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (6.5% to 6.2%), 4% for cardiovascular disease (8.4% to 8.1%), 2% for both depression (19.9% to 19.5%) and diabetes (10.8% to 10.6%) and 1% for asthma (9.7% to 9.6%). The prevalence for chronic kidney disease did not change (2.9%). The recent drop in cancer prevalence followed a 9% increase between 2016 and 2019.
Disparities
In 2020, multiple chronic conditions varied most by age and race and ethnicity, but also significantly varied by income, education and gender. The percentage was higher among:
- Adults ages 65 and older (20.8%), 7.4 times higher than among adults ages 18-44 (2.8%). The prevalence of multiple chronic conditions was significantly higher with each increase in age group.
- American Indian/Alaska Native (13.8%) and multiracial (13.1%) adults, approximately 5 times higher than among Asian adults (2.5%); Asian adults had a significantly lower prevalence of multiple chronic conditions than all other racial and ethnic groups.
- Adults ages 25 and older with an annual household income less than $25,000 (20.2%) than those with incomes of $75,000 or more (4.7%).
- Adults ages 25 and older with less than a high school education (17.2%) than college graduates (5.7%).
