discussion
According to recent health data (United Health Group State Health Ranking, 2000), Arkansas is ranked as one of the least healthy places to live in the United States. Its overall health ranking, according to the 2000 United Health Group state ranking, was 46 th out of the 50 states in the country. The United Health Group states health rating is broken down into 5 distinct categories: lifestyle, access, occupational safety and disability, disease, and mortality. Notable findings obtained from this survey indicated that Arkansas ranks:
- 45 th for total mortality
- 47 th for premature death
- 40 th for heart disease
- 45 th for cancer cases
- 42 nd for lack of health insurance
- 41 st for the adequacy of prenatal care
- 46 th for the prevalence of smoking
- 47 th for the risk of heart disease
According to this report, Arkansas has failed to match the increase in health status observed in other states between 1990 and 2000 in the following key areas: smoking prevention, heart disease, and infant mortality.