Alaska ranks 33rd for health of women and children

Alaska is the 33rd healthiest state in the nation for women and children, a five spot fall from being ranked 28 in 2016, according to United Health Foundation’s 2018 America’s Health Rankings Women and Children Report. Alaska ranks in the bottom five in adolescent immunizations, high school graduation, well-woman visits, teen suicide, uninsured women, chlamydia, and lifetime partner violence, which has contributed to Alaska’s drop-in rank.

Positive indicators of health for Alaska’s women and children include a low prevalence of diabetes in women, a high prevalence of breastfeeding exclusively for 6 months, and a high prevalence of a protective home environment in children aged 0-5.

Since United Health Foundation’s 2016 report, there has been a 6% increase in drug deaths, 26% increase in the infant mortality rate, and 16% increase in teen suicide.

For all states, rankings are based on four determinants that directly influence health outcomes: behaviors, community and environment, policy, and clinical care. Alaska scored one out of five stars in both behaviors and clinical care. Additionally, The Last Frontier ranks at the very bottom (out of all 50 states) for indicators of health such as substance use disorder in youths, chlamydia and adolescent well-visits.