Washington State Cracks Top Ten in Health Rankings

First time since 1999

Congratulations to you and to everyone participating in the Healthiest State Campaign and

working to make a difference in the health of our state!

For the first time since 1999, Washington state is back among the Top Ten Healthiest States

in the Nation—this according to the 2008 Healthiest State Report Card just released by the

Washington Health Foundation.  Washington ranks #10 among the 50 states, up two spots

from our ranking of #12 in 2007.

“This has been a long time coming,” said Greg Vigdor, WHF President and CEO. “We are

thrilled with the progress Washington is making in many key areas.”

Washington now meets or exceeds the national average in 13 of the 17 health measures

and outcomes used as benchmarks in the Report Card.  Among our state’s strengths were:

• Smoking Rates - #5
• Injury and Violence Prevention - #5
• Physical Activity - #9
• Years of Lost Life - #7

Washington failed to meet the national average in the following areas:

• Use of Proven Preventive Care – #32.5
• High School Graduation Rates - #32
• Medical Care Quality - #33
• Limits on Normal Living - #30.5

While we are thrilled with Washington’s improvement, this year’s ranking has placed our

state toward the top of a second-tier set of states.  The first tier is largely dominated by

New England States in four of the top five spots overall.  Vermont is number one, followed

by Connecticut, Minnesota, New Hampshire and Massachusetts.  Utah, Hawaii, Iowa,

Wisconsin and Washington round out the Top Ten.

“Those top tier states exceed the national average in nearly every area,” Vigdor explained.

“They are ranking in the top ten in at least eight of the 17 measures and outcomes.  That

is what it will take to move Washington to the next level—a commitment to better health

and a belief that together we truly can make Washington the Healthiest State in the Nation!”

View the full report:

http://www.whf.org/spotlights/Healthiest-State-Report-Card-2008.aspx

View additional coverage:

KPLU’s Austin Jenkins

http://www.publicbroadcasting.net/kplu/news.newsmain?action=article&ARTICLE_ID=1298792&sectionID=1

The Seattle P.I.

http://blog.seattlepi.nwsource.com/toyourhealth/archives/141063.asp

QUESTIONS?                                                                                                                          

Contact Jennifer Muhm at the Washington Health Foundation at 206-438-6111 or

JenniferM@whf.org   You can also email us at HealthiestState@whf.org.