Kentucky exceeds national average for obesity, overdose deaths, air pollution and more
The University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute's County Health Rankings & Roadmaps program recently released its annual National Findings Report, with Kentucky statistics featured on the list. See how Kentucky compares nationally in categories like health, education and environment.
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Here's how the Bluegrass State stacks up in these categories:
Adult obesity
According to the 2024 National Findings Report data for Kentucky, 41% of adults in the state had a BMI of 30 or higher, compared to 34% nationally. The percentages varied by county, ranging from 31% to 47% in Kentucky.
The 2023 report indicated that 37% of adult Kentuckians had a BMI of 30 or more, compared to 32% nationally.
Drug overdose deaths
The data from the 2024 report indicated 43 drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people in Kentucky, ranging from 11 to 109 deaths per 100,000 across counties in the state. Nationally, there were 27 overdose deaths per 100,000 people.
In 2023, Kentucky had 36 drug overdose deaths per 100,000 people, ranging from 10 to 74 deaths per 100,000 people. Nationally, there were 23 overdose deaths per 100,000 people.
Life expectancy
According to the 2024 report, Kentuckians have a life expectancy of 74, compared to the national life expectancy of 77.6. In 2023, Kentuckians had a life expectancy of 75.1, with the national average at 78.5 years old.
Premature age-adjusted mortality rate
In Kentucky, there were 540 deaths per 100,000 people age 75 or younger. This ranged from 310 to 1,050 deaths per 100,000 people across state counties, according to the 2024 report. Nationally, the rate was 390.
As indicated in the 2023 data, Kentucky saw 490 deaths per 100,000 people age 75 or younger. This ranged from 300 to 950 deaths per 100,000 people by county. Nationally, the age-adjusted mortality rate was 360.
Median household income in Kentucky
The 2024 report revealed an average household income of $59,200 in Kentucky and an average income of $74,800. The 2023 median household income in Kentucky was $55,500, compared to $69,700 in the U.S.
How many Kentuckians experience excessive physical, mental distress?
In Kentucky, 14% of adults reported experiencing poor physical health for 14 or more of the last 30 days, with only 10% nationally. This ranged from 10% to 21% of adults across the counties, according to the 2024 data. In 2023, 14% of adult Kentuckians reported physical distress while only 9% reported it nationally.
18% of Kentuckians reported mental distress in 2024 compared to 15% nationally in 2024. Frequent mental distress is classified as "experiencing poor mental health for 14 or more of the last 30 days." It ranged from 15% to 25% of adults in Kentucky counties.
In 2023, 14% of Kentuckians reported frequent physical distress, compared to 9% nationally. 18% reported frequent mental distress, compared to 14% nationally.
Kentuckians less likely to finish high school, college
The 2024 report indicated 88% of Kentuckians have a high school degree or equivalent degree, compared to 89% nationally. This ranged from 64% to 94% of adults by county. Similarly, 63% of Kentuckians reported some college, compared to 68%.
In 2023, 88% of Kentucky adults had a high school degree, or equivalent, compared to 89% nationally. The same year, 63% of Kentuckians had completed some college, compared to 67% nationally.
Smoking
20% of adult Kentuckians reported smoking, compared to 15% of adults nationally, according to the 2024 findings. It varied from 14% to 35% of adults depending on the county.
In 2023, 22% of Kentuckians were cigarette smokers, compared to 16% nationally.
Disconnected youth
In 2024, 8% of young Kentuckians are disconnected youth. Disconnected youth is defined as "teens and young adults (age 16-19) were neither working nor in school." This ranged from 3% to 37% of young people by county. Nationally, 7% are disconnected youth.
In 2023, 8% of Kentuckians were classified as disconnected youth. It ranged from 3% to 29% of young people by county. Nationally, 7% were disconnected youth.
Physical activity
In 2024, 30% of adult Kentuckians reported physical inactivity, meaning they didn't participate in any physical activity or exercise outside of work. By county, it ranged from 21% to 42% of adults. Nationally, 23% of adults reported physical inactivity.
In 2023, 29% of Kentucky adults reported no physical activity outside of work. This ranged from 22% to 43% by county. Nationally, 22% reported physical inactivity outside of work.
Healthcare services
According to the 2024 report, Kentucky provides below-average healthcare services. More positively, only 7% of people are uninsured in the state compared to 10% nationally. However, access to doctors is hard to come by. In Kentucky, there is one primary care physician per 1,600 people, one dentist per 1,500 people and one mental health provider per every 340 people.
Nationally, there's one primary care physician per 1,330 people, one dentist per 1,360 people and one mental health care provider for every 320 people.
In 2023, Kentucky had one primary care doctor per 1,550 people, one dentist per 1,510 people and one mental health care provider per 370 people. Nationally, one primary care doctor per 1,310 people, one dentist per 1,380 and one mental health provider per 340 people.
Air pollution
As indicated by the 2024 data, Kentucky has an annual average of 8.2 micrograms per cubic meter of fine particulate matter in the air. It varied across the county from 5.7 to 10.5 micrograms per cubic meter.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has primary annual average standards of 12.0 micrograms per cubic meter. Nationally, data revealed 7.4 micrograms per cubic meter.
In 2023, data was the same.
This article originally appeared on Louisville Courier Journal: Kentucky National Findings Report 2024: How the Bluegrass State compares to national data