Connecticut generally scores better than the nation as a whole in the rate of premature deaths and percentage of people in poor or fair health, and in factors influencing health, according to a new report.Â
Among Connecticut’s eight counties, Tolland ranked first on length and quality of life and Windham was No. 8 with Hartford at No. 7, according to the County Health Rankings produced by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. Measuring more than 30 factors that impact health, including social determinants such as education, jobs, housing, exercise, commuting times and more, Middlesex County ranked No. 1 and Windham No. 8. Hartford was No. 5.
Among some of the findings, the nation’s median for years of potential life lost before age 75 per 100,000 population was 7,700 versus 5,300 for Connecticut. The percentage of adults reporting fair or poor health was 16 percent nationally, 12 percent in the state.
Among health factors, 18 percent of U.S. adults are smokers, 14 percent in Connecticut; 31 percent of adults are obese (with a body mass index of at least 30) nationally, 25 percent in the state; 28 percent of adults nationally report no leisure time physical activity, 22 percent in the state; 17 percent of U.S. residents less than 65 have no health insurance, 11 percent in Connecticut; U.S. and Connecticut high school graduation rates are equal, at 86 percent; 56 percent of adults ages 25-44 have some college, 68 percent in the state; and 23 percent of children in the U.S. live in poverty, 15 percent in Connecticut.
Among areas where Connecticut scores lower, 19 percent of households have overcrowding, high housing costs, or lack of kitchen or plumbing facilities versus 14 percent for the nation; 18 percent of state adults report binge or heavy drinking, 17 percent for the nation; and there were 279 violent crimes per 100,000 population in the state versus 199 for the nation.
