Jersey
making strides in health
Drops in infant deaths, kids in
poverty boost ranking, but obesity, uninsured are
concerns
Monday, December 12, 2005 • BY ANGELA STEWART •
Star-Ledger Staff
Buoyed by a sharp decline in the number
of children living in poverty, the overall health picture in
New Jersey improved this year, a new report
shows.
New Jersey placed 15th in the U.S. -- up
from 17th last year -- according to America's Health: State
Health Rankings, easily beating neighboring states
Pennsylvania (25th), New York (26th) and Delaware
(33rd).
The state's overall score also was
supported by a 10 percent increase in immunization rates and
the fact infant mortality rates have declined 45 percent
since 1990.
Cecilia Zalkind, executive director of
the Association for Children of New Jersey, acknowledged
improvements that cut the number of children in poverty to
8.4 percent, but said she was still concerned by so many
"pockets of poverty" here.
"When you look at children living in the
poorer communities of the state, they are really living in
conditions that you wouldn't realize if you just looked at
the statewide poverty levels," she said.
The 16th annual report -- issued today by
United Health Foundation in conjunction with the American
Public Health Association and Partnership for Prevention --
provides a health snapshot of all 50 states. The report
ranks states in 18 categories.
In this year's report, significant
improvement was made nationwide in areas such as motor
vehicle deaths, smoking, infectious disease and
cardiovascular deaths.
An increasing number of uninsured people
and obesity were two notable concerns.
The prevalence of obesity has gone from
11.6 percent of the population in 1990 to 23.1 percent
today, according to the report. New Jersey's comparative
ranking slid from 10th last year to 17th now.
New Jersey's four-year high school
graduation rate is the highest in the nation, at 89.8
percent. Nationwide, just 68.3 percent of incoming ninth
graders graduate on time and the rate is
declining.
But just 63.4 percent of pregnant women
in New Jersey are receiving adequate prenatal care and the
infectious disease rate is still among the highest in the
country.
Eddy Bresnitz, state epidemiologist, said
although New Jersey's state ranking on certain indicators
may still be lacking, it has clearly been moving in the
right direction. For example, he said the infectious disease
incidence rate in New Jersey has gone from 42.7 cases per
100,000 in 1990 to 29.1 per 100,000 in the 2005
report.
"I think more important than the (state)
rankings is our overall progress in improving various
factors used to assess the overall health of New Jersey, ...
we've seen good improvements," Bresnitz said.
Minnesota was the healthiest state this
year, with Vermont second. New Hampshire, Utah, Hawaii and
North Dakota follow.
Mississippi slid a spot to last in the
rankings. Tennessee and Louisiana, ranked 48th and 49th,
respectively, also continue to face serious health
challenges.
Premature death -- defined as the number
of years of potential life lost prior to age 75 -- also is
up in this year's report and of growing concern.
"Our nation's slowing rate of improvement
should be of concern to us all," said William McGuire,
chairman of the United Health Foundation's board of
directors.
A total of 28 countries also now have
healthy life expectancies greater than the United States,
including the United Kingdom, France, Germany and
Japan.
"This comparative information is
extremely important because it is an indication that we as a
nation have not achieved optimal health. As Americans, it is
apparent that we can -- and must -- do better," said Georges
Benjamin, executive director of the American Public Health
Association, which is releasing the report today in
Philadelphia during its annual meeting.
The America's Health Rankings 2005 Report
can be viewed in its entirety at www.americashealthrankings.org.
Angela Stewart writes about health care. She may be
reached at astewart@starledger.com or (973) 392-4178.
© 2005 The Star-Ledger. Used by NJ.com with
permission.
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