America's Health Rankings, United Health Foundation Logo

Summary

Low Disparities1

  • Between females3 and males3 for child poverty
  • Between non-metropolitan3 and metropolitan3 areas for low birthweight
  • Between those with less than a high school education3 and college graduates3 for excessive drinking

High Disparities

  • Between females2 and males3 for depression
  • Between those with less than a high school education2 and college graduates3 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

  • 18% decrease in Infant Mortality in white infants between 2003-2006 and 2015-2018 from 5.0 to 4.1 deaths (before age 1) per 1,000 live births
  • 27% decrease in Unemployment in civilians in metropolitan areas between 2005-2009 and 2015-2019 from 6.4% to 4.7%
  • 25% decrease in Smoking in adults with a high school education between 2011-2013 and 2017-2019 from 22.8% to 17.2%
  • 40% increase in Diabetes in Hispanic adults between 2011-2013 and 2017-2019 from 7.7% to 10.8%
  • 15% increase in Depression in adults with a high school education between 2011-2013 and 2017-2019 from 20.8% to 23.9%
  • 11% increase in Low Birthweight in Asian/Pacific Islander infants between 2003-2006 and 2016-2019 from 7.2% to 8.0%

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