America's Health Rankings, United Health Foundation Logo

Summary

Low Disparities1

  • Between females2 and males2 for diabetes
  • Between those with a high school education3 and some college education3 for cancer
  • Between metropolitan3 and non-metropolitan3 areas for child poverty

High Disparities

  • Between Hispanic2 and white3 for less than a high school education
  • Between American Indian/Alaska Native2 and Asian/Pacific Islander3 for smoking
  • Between those with less than a high school education2 and college graduates3 for physical inactivity

[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

  • 18% decrease in Excessive Drinking in male adults between 2011-2013 and 2017-2019 from 22.2% to 18.3%
  • 33% decrease in Unemployment in Hispanic civilians between 2005-2009 and 2015-2019 from 6.9% to 4.6%
  • 23% decrease in Avoided Care Due to Cost in Black adults between 2011-2013 and 2017-2019 from 15.4% to 11.8%
  • 81% increase in Diabetes in Asian/Pacific Islander adults between 2011-2013 and 2017-2019 from 6.8% to 12.3%
  • 55% increase in Food Insecurity in households headed by an adult with some college education between 2003-2007 and 2015-2019 from 9.4% to 14.6%
  • 30% increase in Child Poverty in Hispanic children between 2005-2009 and 2015-2019 from 13.3% to 17.3%

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