By Mary Kuhlman
Public News Service
Kentucky is facing serious health challenges, according to an annual state-by-state ranking of key health indicators.
The America’s Health Rankings 2018 report released recently places Kentucky 45th among states, down from 42nd in 2017.
Health experts say finding a physical activity you enjoy will help you stick to it. (Photo from Pixabay, via PNS)
Dr. Rhonda Randall, a senior medical adviser with the United Health Foundation, notes the Commonwealth places last among states in a few important measures.
“Physical inactivity, preventable hospitalizations – that’s going in the hospital for something that if you would have caught earlier could have been taken care of in an outpatient setting – and also 50th in the nation for cancer deaths,” she states. “And I would be remiss if I didn’t note that Kentucky is ranked 49th in the nation for smoking.”
Randall says the prevalence of obesity is of greatest concern at the national level. It now impacts 31 percent of adults and is a primary contributor to heart disease and cancer.
Kentucky’s adult obesity rate is slightly higher at 34 percent.
On the bright side, Randall notes, childhood poverty has decreased 19 percent nationally in the past five years.
“Childhood poverty is a key indicator of socioeconomic status, and we know that children who are living in poverty have greater challenges for health for the rest of their life,” she states. “So the fact that childhood poverty is decreasing is a good suggestion that, over the course of their lifetime, we’re setting them on a path to better health.”
Randall says the findings can help people focus on areas where they can improve behaviors that impact their health.
“Things like being more physically active, that’s got to be something you enjoy,” she stresses. “Whether it’s gardening or taking the dog for a walk, or some other activity that you’re going to be able to stick with. Thinking about what kind of a diet will be something that you’ll stay with the rest of your life.”
Randall adds that health professionals, public health leaders, and policymakers can use the report to examine ways to better support people in their communities in all aspects of their health.
