Texas ranks 46th in overall health in 2008

Texas sunk nine places to rank 46th healthiest state in the country in America’s Health Rankings 2008, an annual analysis of national health on a state-by-state basis compiled by the United Health Foundation. Though the state showed slight strengths due to low prevalence of smoking and binge drinking, low rate of cancer deaths and moderate infant mortality rate, the high rate of uninsured—nearly 25 percent—continues to weigh heavily on the Texas health care system. In addition, the state score worsened due to limited access to primary care with only 95 primary care physicians per 100,000 population, according to the report. Other challenges come from a high percentage of children in poverty, a high incidence of infectious diseases and a rising prevalence of obesity. See www.americashealthrankings.org for more information on Texas and other states.