OGDEN -- Utah currently ranks seventh in the nation when it comes to the overall health of its residents, the same spot it held in last year's rankings.
The 22nd annual America's Health Rankings shows Utahns have a lower prevalence of smoking, binge drinking and obesity than other states. In addition, the state has a low rate of preventable hospitalizations, low rates of cancer deaths, cardiovascular deaths, infant mortality and adult diabetes.
The report shows a 10 percent drop in preventable re-hospitalizations among Medicare patients for illnesses such as pneumonia, asthma, congestive heart disease and diabetes.
Ogden Regional Medical Center marketing director Craig Bielik said the hospital has taken numerous measures to ensure its patients are going home with good instructions and follow-up care, so they won't have to be readmitted. The hospital also has several programs and protocols in place to treat other diseases.
"Our nutritionists regularly counsel patients regarding achieving health through weight loss," he said. "We also work closely with St. Mark's Hospital in Salt Lake City to help people who struggle with obesity."
Bielik said the average time it takes heart attack patients to receive life-saving treatment at the hospital is 52 minutes.
"That's 38 minutes faster than the national goal of 90 minutes," he said.
The report also shows the challenges Utah faces. For example, people in Utah have limited availability to primary care physicians and low immunization coverage. The state fell from 30th place last year to 47th when it comes to children being fully vaccinated.
"The measles outbreak the state battled this spring is a reminder that we need parents to step up and take advantage of this simple, life-saving measure," said Utah Department of Health deputy director Dr. Robert Rolfs.
While Utah fares better when it comes to obesity, the state still needs to drastically reduce the rate, which threatens overall health through cancer, heart disease and diabetes. In addition, Rolfs said, more residents need to have access to health care coverage, and it's important to attract more primary care physicians to the state, especially in rural areas.
"We are pleased to see that Utah continues to compare favorably to other states in terms of the public's health," said Davis County Health Department director Lewis Garrett. "Unfortunately, some of the health indicators used in this report continue to gradually deteriorate in our state."
Overall, Weber-Morgan Health Department director Gary M. House said, Utahns should be commended for their continuous dedication to promoting individual and community health.
"These measures are a constant reminder that every effort put forth to achieve optimum health will benefit us all," House said.
The report released Tuesday by the Utah Health Foundation listed Vermont as the healthiest state. For the 10th year in a row, Mississippi was listed as the unhealthiest state in America. It also shows that 27.5 percent of Americans are obese, 17.3 percent are smokers and 8.7 percent have diabetes.
The full report can be viewed at www.americashealthrankings.org.
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