America's Health Rankings, United Health Foundation Logo

Summary

Low Disparities1

  • Between females2 and males2 for diabetes
  • Between those with less than a high school education2 and college graduates2 for cancer
  • Between metropolitan2 and non-metropolitan2 areas for low birthweight

High Disparities

  • Between those with less than a high school education2 and college graduates3 for high health status
  • Between Hispanic2 and Asian/Pacific Islander3 for child poverty
  • Between those with less than a high school education2 and college graduates3 for poverty

[1] Low disparities within a state does not indicate that all populations are doing well. Consider rates in comparison to national averages.
[2] Rates worse than national average.
[3] Rates same or better than national average.

Highlights

  • 23% decrease in Premature Death in the Hispanic population between 2005-2009 and 2015-2019 from 5,571 to 4,313 years of potential life lost before age 75 per 100,000
  • 40% decrease in Less Than a High School Education in the multiracial population between 2005-2009 and 2015-2019 from 21.6% to 13.0%
  • 15% decrease in Avoided Care Due to Cost in Black adults between 2011-2013 and 2017-2019 from 23.2% to 19.7%
  • 67% increase in Food Insecurity in households headed by an adult with less than a high school education between 2003-2007 and 2015-2019 from 19.1% to 31.9%
  • 47% increase in Asthma in male adults between 2011-2013 and 2017-2019 from 6.2% to 9.1%
  • 11% increase in Physical Inactivity in adults with a high school education between 2011-2013 and 2017-2019 from 33.5% to 37.1%

Trends

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Income Inequality

Income inequality measures the ratio of median household income of the 20% richest to the 20% poorest. A high ratio indicates greater income inequality. Research demonstrates an association between greater income disparity and poorer population health.
In Alabama, income inequality has decreased since 2011. Alabama’s ratio is currently higher than the national ratio.
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