Ohio falls to 32nd in state health ranking

A national ranking of states based on overall quality of health found that Ohio has slipped to 32nd (Source: “Ohio ranks 49th on air pollution; smoking rate up 3 percent,” Cleveland Plain Dealer, Dec. 3, 2008).

The report was published by the United Health Foundation and is based on personal behaviors, public health policies, environmental factors and medical care quality. The report showed Ohio’s ranking dropped three spots from 29th in 2007. Mirroring national trends, the percentage of Ohioans who are classified as obese jumped to 28 percent, up from 23 percent five years ago and 11 percent in 1990. Other factors leading to Ohio's declined ranking are that it ranks 49th in air polution and the prevalance of smoking increased 3 percent since last year.

On the positive side, according to the report's Ohio snapshot, is that the state has a relatively low rate of uninsured population and low geographic disparities compared to other states.