Introduction

The United Health Foundation is proud to release the America’s Health Rankings® 2024 Health of Women and Children Report, which provides a comprehensive look at the health of women of reproductive age and children nationwide and on a state-by-state basis

This report is complemented by the 2024 Maternal and Infant Health Disparities Data Brief, which sought to more deeply understand disparities in several of the key outcome measures included in this report, such as maternal mortality and severe maternal morbidity. The brief provides detailed State Profiles which include disparities and trends over time in these and other measures.

• Child and maternal mortality both worsened, while the overall mortality rate among women improved. All mortality measures had significant disparities by race/ethnicity and geography. Firearm deaths, an indicator of community and family safety, have been increasing among women of reproductive age and children.
• Behavioral and mental health challenges among women continued to grow, with increases in the drug death rate and the prevalence of depression and frequent mental distress.
• The prevalence of mental health conditions among children increased, while mental health treatment among children remained stable and the teen suicide rate improved.
• Some physical health measures improved while others worsened. Rates of severe maternal morbidity, asthma and obesity among women rose. However, the prevalence of youth who are overweight or have obesity improved. Among newborns, cases of congenital syphilis increased, but cases of neonatal abstinence syndrome decreased.
• Cigarette smoking among women, smoking during pregnancy and household smoke exposure among children improved.
• Early childhood education enrollment increased after having declined substantially between 2019 and 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic. However, food sufficiency among children worsened.
• Several measures of access to care improved. The uninsured rate among women and children decreased, and the number of pediatricians per 100,000 children increased. However, other clinical care measures, including low-risk cesarean delivery, adequate prenatal care and well-woman visit, did not significantly change.

For the first time, the Health of Women and Children Report examines health disparities among women by disability status, sexual orientation and veteran status. The report also includes four new measures: congenital syphilis, mental health conditions and mental health treatment among children, and mentorship of children.

We encourage policymakers, advocates, community leaders and individuals to use these findings to advance better health and well-being for women and children nationwide.

Objective

• Measures: 123. These include 82 measures included in the state ranking calculation and 41 additional (unweighted) measures not included in the state rankings. For a complete list of measures, definitions and source details, see the Measures Table.
• Categories of health: five. The report analyzes health and well-being holistically through measures of Health Outcomes and four categories of drivers of health: Social and Economic Factors, Physical Environment, Behaviors and Clinical Care.
• Data sources: 33. Data are from many sources, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System and Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System, March of Dimes, the National Survey of Children’s Health and the U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey.

• Presenting a holistic view of health. This report goes beyond measures of clinical care and health behaviors by considering social, economic and physical environment measures, reflecting the impact of social drivers of health.
• Providing a benchmark for states. Each year since its first publication, the report has presented strengths, challenges and key findings for each state and the District of Columbia. Public health advocates can monitor health trends over time and compare their state with other states or the nation. State Summaries containing data on all 82 ranking and 41 unweighted measures are available on the website as a separate download.
• Highlighting disparities. The report shows differences in health between states and among demographic groups at state and national levels, with groupings based on race/ethnicity, gender, age, disability status, educational attainment, income level, metropolitan status, sexual orientation and veteran status. These analyses often reveal differences among groups that national or state aggregate data may mask.
• Stimulating action. The report aims to drive change and improve health by promoting data-driven discussions among individuals, community leaders, public health workers, policymakers and the media. States can incorporate the report into their annual review of programs, and many organizations use it as a reference when assigning goals for health improvement plans.

Model for Measuring America’s Health