America's Health Rankings, United Health Foundation Logo

Summary

Low Disparities1

  • Between females2 and males2 for smoking
  • Between non-metropolitan3 and metropolitan3 areas for uninsured
  • Between those with less than a high school education3 and some college education3 for dedicated health care provider

High Disparities

  • Between those with less than a high school education2 and college graduates3 for poverty
  • Between Black2 and white3 for severe housing problems
  • Between females2 and males2 for premature death

[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

  • 27% decrease in Avoided Care Due to Cost in adults with less than a high school education between 2011-2013 and 2017-2019 from 26.2% to 19.1%
  • 35% decrease among those with Less Than a High School Education in the Black population between 2005-2009 and 2015-2019 from 15.0% to 9.8%
  • 15% decrease in Smoking in male adults between 2011-2013 and 2017-2019 from 29.6% to 25.1%
  • 45% increase in Multiple Chronic Conditions in adults with a high school education between 2011-2013 and 2017-2019 from 14.0% to 20.3%
  • 58% increase in Food Insecurity in white households between 2003-2007 and 2015-2019 from 9.1% to 14.4%
  • 19% increase in Unemployment in civilians in non-metropolitan areas between 2005-2009 and 2015-2019 from 6.2% to 7.4%

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 West Virginia, income inequality has decreased since 2011. West Virginia’s ratio is currently higher than the national ratio.
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