In a recent assessment by America’s Health Rankings 2024 Annual Report, Hawaiʻi has been recognized as the eighth healthiest state in the nation based on critical health measures. This marks a slight decline from its previous ranking of sixth place in 2023, prompting discussions about the areas where improvements can be made.
Dr. Kenneth Fink, director of the Hawaiʻi Department of Health (DOH), expressed pride in the state’s performance. “For many key indicators of public health, the data show that Hawaiʻi performs exceptionally well,” he stated. However, he acknowledged challenges in certain sectors, particularly economic factors and personal health behaviors that present opportunities for enhancement.
Hawaiʻi topped the charts in health outcomes, boasting the lowest rates of reported frequent mental distress and racial disparities in premature death nationwide. Additionally, the state ranks second-lowest for adult obesity and third-lowest for adults living with multiple chronic conditions, indicators that underscore the overall health of the population.
In terms of clinical care, Hawaiʻi secured the seventh position, highlighted by the lowest rates of avoided care due to cost and preventable hospitalizations. The state also boasts the second-lowest percentage of uninsured individuals.
Despite these achievements, there remains a pressing need for more healthcare professionals, with Hawaiʻi ranking 28th in the number of medical health providers and 34th for primary care providers. The report also evaluated various socioeconomic factors affecting public health, revealing some concerning statistics.
Hawaiʻi ranked 36th on the Economic Hardship Index, which considers elements such as housing conditions, income levels, education, and unemployment. While the state received high marks for low air pollution and water quality, it tragically ranked last in severe housing issues, including overcrowding and cost-burdened occupants.
Additional challenges identified in the report included poor volunteerism (45th), voter participation (34th), sleep insufficiency (50th), e-cigarette use (44th), and excessive alcohol consumption (44th).
America’s Health Rankings compiles an extensive analysis of over 280 unique measures from more than 80 publicly available databases to provide a detailed state-by-state evaluation of health and well-being in the country.
For more in-depth information on Hawaiʻi’s health data, interested parties can visit the 2024 Annual Report page and click on “State Summaries.”
As Hawaiʻi continues to navigate the complexities of public health, the latest report serves as both a celebration of its successes and a guide for future improvements, ensuring that the Aloha State remains a leader in health and well-being.
