Ohio ranks 32nd in study of education level health gap

A national study has found that adults with the least education have the worst health (Source: “Less Education May Mean Poorer Health,” Dayton Daily News/HealthDay News, May 7, 2009).

The report by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Commission to Build a Healthier America adds to mounting evidence that factors outside of the medical system can have a significant impact on health and longevity.

"Access to affordable, high-quality medical care is essential, but that alone will not improve the health of Americans," commission co-chair Alice M. Rivlin said in a Johnson Foundation news release.

In a state-by-state comparison (pdf, 1 page) generated from the study's findings, Ohio ranked 26th in overall rate of adults reporting that they were in less than very good health. The report found that in Ohio, 65.9 percent of adults would be affected if the health gap between college graduates and those who did not graduate from college was eliminated. In terms of the size of the education-related health gap, Ohio ranked 32nd in the nation.