America's Health Rankings, United Health Foundation Logo

Summary

Low Disparities1

  • Between females2 and males2 for able-bodied
  • Between females3 and males3 for diabetes
  • Between metropolitan3 and non-metropolitan3 areas for unemployment

High Disparities

  • Between those with less than a high school education2 and college graduates3 for dedicated health care provider
  • Between American Indian/Alaska Native2 and white3 for high health status
  • Between Hispanic2 and white3 for less than a high school education

[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

  • 46% decrease in Infant Mortality in Black infants between 2003-2006 and 2015-2018 from 14.9 to 8.0 deaths (before age 1) per 1,000 live births
  • 41% decrease in Unemployment in multiracial civilians between 2005-2009 and 2015-2019 from 10.3% to 6.1%
  • 34% decrease in Avoided Care Due to Cost in adults with less than a high school education between 2011-2013 and 2017-2019 from 28.8% to 18.9%
  • 26% increase in Frequent Mental Distress in adults with a high school education between 2011-2013 and 2017-2019 from 11.7% to 14.7%
  • 9% increase in Low Birthweight in Hispanic infants between 2003-2006 and 2016-2019 from 8.5% to 9.3%
  • 14% increase in Physical Inactivity in adults with some college education between 2011-2013 and 2017-2019 from 15.9% to 18.1%

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 Colorado, income inequality has decreased since 2011. Colorado’s ratio is currently lower than the national ratio.
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