America's Health Rankings, United Health Foundation Logo

Summary

Low Disparities1

  • Between females3 and males2 for unemployment
  • Between those with a high school education3 and college graduates3 for uninsured
  • Between Black2 and white3 for low birthweight

High Disparities

  • Between those with a high school education3 and college graduates3 for high health status
  • Between Hispanic2 and white3 for less than a high school education
  • Between American Indian/Alaska Native2 and Hispanic3 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

  • 14% decrease in Premature Death in the Hispanic population between 2005-2009 and 2015-2019 from 4,484 to 3,863 years of potential life lost before age 75 per 100,000
  • 25% decrease in Unemployment in civilians with less than a high school education between 2005-2009 and 2015-2019 from 14.2% to 10.7%
  • 29% decrease in Avoided Care Due to Cost in white adults between 2011-2013 and 2017-2019 from 11.5% to 8.2%
  • 35% increase in Diabetes in adults with less than a high school education between 2011-2013 and 2017-2019 from 13.4% to 18.1%
  • 29% increase in Poverty in male-headed households between 2005-2009 and 2015-2019 from 7.9% to 10.2%
  • 28% increase in Cancer in college graduates between 2011-2013 and 2017-2019 from 6.4% to 8.2%

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