Mississippi State Capitol

THE 5 WORST STATES FOR HEALTH CARE

5. MISSISSIPPI

TOTAL SCORE: 44.36

COST RANK: 17

ACCESS RANK: 25

OUTCOMES RANK: 51

ADDITIONAL RANKINGS:

Fewest physicians per capita rank: 5

Fewest dentists per capita rank: 5

Lowest % of insured adults aged 19 to 64 rank: 5

Highest infant mortality rate rank: 1

Highest % of adults with no dental visit in past year rank: 1

(Photo of Mississippi State Capitol: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock.com)
Rising health care costs continue to be an alarming issue for many Americans, especially as the COVID-19 pandemic persists and economic recovery takes its time. A recent paper from Rand Corp. claimed that as health care costs climb, employers respond by reducing wages and benefits, culminating in a double whammy for workers. However, as a new WalletHub study illustrates, the state of health care varies from state to state. Related: 5 best, 5 worst states for dental health In order to determine the best and worst states for health care, WalletHub compared all 50 states and the District of Columbia across dimensions of cost, access and outcomes. Using 44 metrics including average monthly insurance premiums and life expectancies, they graded each metric on a 100-point scale and determined each state and the District's weighted averages to calculate the overall scores. "Americans have to take responsibility for our health to control health-related expenditures, particularly health that is in each individual's control," remarked Diane Howard of Rush University. "These are things everyone knows – eat correctly, exercise, limit stress, get regular check-ups, and know your health care numbers (cholesterol, blood pressure, weight). "All of this is easier said than done," she admitted, "with the enormous stress people are under during the COVID-19 pandemic." See our slideshow of WalletHub's 5 best and 5 worst states for health care, and click here for the full study. Read more:   
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Richard Binder

Richard Binder, based in New York, is part of the social media team at ALM. He is also a 2014 recipient of the ASPBE Award for Excellence in the Humorous/Fun Department.