America's Health Rankings, United Health Foundation Logo

Please tell us a little more about you

We appreciate you taking the time to help America’s Health Rankings better understand our audiences. Your feedback will allow us to optimize our website and provide you with additional resources in the future. Thank you.

Please select one option which best describes your profession or field of expertise

Journalist or media professional
Health Policy Professional
Public health professional (state, local, or community level)
Health care provider or administrator
Member of an advocacy group or trade organization
Academic, student, or researcher
Government administrator, legislator, or staffer
Concerned citizen
Other
Don't show me this again

Summary

Low Disparities1

  • Between females3 and males2 for unemployment
  • Between white2 and Hispanic3 for cancer
  • Between metropolitan2 and non-metropolitan3 areas for low birthweight

High Disparities

  • Between those with less than a high school education2 and college graduates3 for high health status
  • Between Black2 and white3 for food insecurity
  • Between American Indian/Alaska Native2 and white3 for child 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

26% decrease in Infant Mortality in Black infants between 2003-2006 and 2015-2018 from 14.8 to 10.9 deaths (before age 1) per 1,000 live births
30% decrease among those with Less Than a High School Education in the female population between 2005-2009 and 2015-2019 from 13.1% to 9.2%
33% decrease in Avoided Care Due to Cost in Black adults between 2011-2013 and 2017-2019 from 19.7% to 13.2%
31% increase in Multiple Chronic Conditions in college graduates between 2011-2013 and 2017-2019 from 4.9% to 6.4%
19% increase in Poverty in male-headed households between 2005-2009 and 2015-2019 from 7.5% to 8.9%
24% increase in Diabetes in adults with some college education between 2011-2013 and 2017-2019 from 8.7% to 10.8%

Trends

high_health_status_pennsylvania

frequent_mental_distress_pennsylvania

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