America's Health Rankings, United Health Foundation Logo

Summary

Low Disparities1

  • Between females2 and males2 for diabetes
  • Between Hispanic3 and Black3 for cancer
  • Between metropolitan2 and non-metropolitan2 areas for unemployment

High Disparities

  • Between those with less than a high school education2 and college graduates3 for high health status
  • Between Black2 and Asian/Pacific Islander3 adults for child poverty
  • Between females3 and males2 for multiple chronic conditions

[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

  • 22% decrease in Infant Mortality in Black infants between 2003-2006 and 2015-2018 from 14.4 to 11.3 deaths (before age 1) per 1,000 live births
  • 28% decrease among those with Less Than a High School Education in the white population between 2005-2009 and 2015-2019 from 15.6% to 11.3%
  • 30% decrease in Avoided Care Due to Cost in Black adults between 2011-2013 and 2017-2019 from 25.9% to 18.2%
  • 74% 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 33.3%
  • 40% increase in Multiple Chronic Conditions in female adults between 2011-2013 and 2017-2019 from 11.9% to 16.6%
  • 33% increase in Depression in adults with a high school education between 2011-2013 and 2017-2019 from 16.5% to 21.9%

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 Louisiana, income inequality has increased since 2011. Louisiana’s ratio is currently higher than the national ratio.
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