HLTH 509
Reference
Virginia’s Health Rankings
According to the United Health Foundation and America’s Health Rankings Virginia is ranked 15th overall in
the United States for the year 2019. 1 Their overall health ranking has fluctuated between 23 and 20 for the last
18 years, but has improved in 2019 to a ranking of 15. The percentage of people diagonosed with diabetes has
slowly risen and has remained between 3.3% and 3.5% over the last 19 years and Virginia now ranks 20th
nationally. Virginia now ranks 22nd for obesity nationally as it has risen gradually since 2000 with people having
a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 30 or higher based upon their height and weight. Smoking in Virgina has
decreased 29% since 2012 for adults who have reported smoking at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime and
currently smoke daily or some days. Their overall national ranking for smoking is now 17.
Virginia’s health ranking has consistently remained at an average of 22 over the last 18 years which is much
better than a decrease in their overall national ranking. 1 They have managed to reach a ranking of 15 in 2019,
but there is no information in this reference nor have I been able to find other information as to what the state of
Virginia has specifically done to better their overall health ranking. I do see that smoking has been reduced by
29% since 2012, and air pollution has decreased by 49% since 2003.
I have chosen five determinants that are very important to me, to God, and should be very important to all of
humanity. Improving these would certainly lead Virginia to a higher health ranking, but that should not be the
overall reason for addressing them. The first determinant I chose is Drug Deaths, including alcohol and
Excessive Drinking because they have increased by 52% in the last three years. 1 Suicide, overdoses, and Violent
Crime are usually the main causes of drug related deaths. Drug use and abuse is usually brought on by mental
health issues and by physical, sexual, and emotional abuse. Frequent mental distress has increased by 21% in
the last four years. The reduction of these deaths would require more Mental Healthcare Provider availability
which is another determinant in Virginia because of their low rate of providers.
-y
—--—--
HLTH 509
1.America’s Health Rankings. United Health Foundation.
https://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/annual/state/VA Updated 2019. Accessed August
30, 2020.
