Mapped: Louisiana health rankings by parish
Most of Louisiana's parishes are more likely to have conditions that lead to poor health, 2025 County Health Rankings show.
Why it matters: The rankings take a holistic approach to considering health outcomes from exercise opportunities and students' reading scores to access to broadband internet and affordable housing.
The big picture:"Community conditions, such as access to transportation, safe housing, jobs that pay a living wage and well-resourced schools, are known as the social determinants of health," says the report, which is produced annually by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute.
The research indicates that a general swath of the U.S. that stretches across the South from Southern California into parts of Appalachia is more likely to have the conditions that lead to poorer health outcomes.
Zoom in: That includes most of Louisiana, except for the River Parishes, Cameron Parish and Bossier Parish.
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Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Yahoo
GCHD calls on federal officials to protect Medicaid
May 19—MOSES LAKE — Earlier this month, the Grant County Health District announced the passing of a resolution to call on federal leaders to protect and maintain funding for Medicaid. The proposed federal budget calls for possible extensive cuts to the program, which provides health care coverage for millions nationwide and thousands within Grant County. "It came about from our health officer (Alexander Brzezny) who has been monitoring some of the conversations at the federal level and what he was hearing from some of the medical associations of some concerns that Medicaid funding could be reduced substantially," said GCHD Administrator Theresa Adkinson. "Looking at our data, we know this would have a huge impact on our health care system and our residents in Grant County," Adkinson said these concerns inspired her to meet with the GCHD Board of Health to explain why this would be important to Grant County. The resolution was adopted by the board April 9. "Once we get the resolution passed, then that authorizes the staff and I to be able to talk with elected officials about the subject and talk about those impacts," she said. After passing the resolution, the GCHD shared it with all their supporting associations as well as the federal and state elected officials with positive feedback. "It opens that door for a conversation so that while it's not on the docket right now, you know that these conversations are happening now," said Adkinson. "They have those talking points from back home on what the impacts would be, not in DC, but here in Grant County." Medicaid is a public health insurance program that provides free or low-cost health coverage to people with low income, disabilities, pregnancies and those living in long-term care facilities. In an article from KFF, formerly Kaiser Health News, on May 14 the House Energy and Commerce Committee plans to use the changes to the Medicaid program to help meet spending targets aimed at funding President Donald Trump's domestic priorities. The Congressional Budget Office estimates that the bill would decrease the federal deficit by more than $880 billion over 10 years. According to a press release by GCHD, cuts to Medicaid could severely impact access to care for 40% of Grant County residents and more than 1.8 million people across the state. This loss of coverage would threaten health coverage, especially in rural areas where resources are limited. The resolution states that, according to national County Health Rankings and Roadmaps, Grant County is faring worse than the average county in Washington for community conditions which determine health and worse for health outcomes which measure the health of local communities. Congressional Districts 4 and 5 have the highest proportions of adults and total population on Medicaid among Washington regions. "People will stop seeking care because they're concerned about out-of-pocket costs, so in a rural community such as ours, access to health care is critical," said Adkinson. "You don't want folks to have to drive far to seek healthcare and then we already have some healthcare deserts where our community health centers have opened their doors, like down in Mattawa." The resolution further says Medicaid is critical to the survival of rural Washington hospitals by being responsible for more than 25 percent of most Grant County hospitals' revenue. According to data provided by area legislators and hospitals, 30% of Samaritan Healthcare's revenue comes from Medicaid, and 27% of that for Columbia Basin Hospital. Nearby, Othello Community Hospital gets 58% of its revenue from Medicaid. Congressman Dan Newhouse, R-Wash., has said that the country needs to curb spending due to being more than $37 trillion in debt. Legislators from both sides of the aisle have said that spending needs to be cut, but that cuts to Medicaid should be minimal to ensure people have access to care. There is also concern that cuts to Medicaid could have impacts outside of negative impacts to access to medicine, including economic issues. An article from George Washington University said cuts to Medicaid and the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program could also trigger severe economic consequences. The combined cuts could result in the loss of around one million jobs, $113 billion decline in states' gross domestic products and $8.8 billion in lost state and local tax revenue in 2026 alone. "Medicaid and SNAP programs are not just designed to strengthen individual health and nutrition — they support the economic well-being of communities and businesses nationwide," said Leighton Ku, lead author and director of the Center for Health Policy Research and professor of health policy and management at GW's Milken Institute School of Public Health. Adkinson said any citizens within the community who have concerns about the issue can help by talking with federal officials through hotlines, emails or drop-down boxes and leave messages about how this would impact the community. "Personal stories always have an impact, it's one thing to look at a budget, it's another thing to start looking at the lives that are covered by this funding source and the jobs that could potentially be lost in our community as well," she said.
Miami Herald
08-05-2025
- Miami Herald
Map Shows US Counties With Life Expectancy Below North Korea's
Newsweek has created a map that highlights a sobering reality for parts of the United States: in dozens of U.S. counties, average life expectancy is now lower than that of North Korea. Life expectancy in North Korea-a country often cited for its economic hardship and limited healthcare access-stood at 72.6 years in 2021, according to the World Health Organization. Yet in parts of the United States-particularly in Southern states including Mississippi, Kentucky and West Virginia-county-level data shows average life expectancies below that threshold, according to the County Health Rankings project, an annual analysis conducted by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. It comes as new research carried out by the Yale School of Public Health (YSPH), published in JAMA Network Open, found that certain states' life expectancy is far worse than others-particularly in parts of the Deep South and Appalachia-underscoring the severity of health inequities within the United States. The U.S. spends more on health care per capita than any other country, yet significant health disparities persist, particularly in rural and low-income areas. Many of the counties falling below North Korea's life expectancy benchmark are in regions with high poverty rates, limited access to medical care, and a high burden of chronic diseases, including obesity and diabetes. U.S. counties where life expectancy falls below North Korea's average of 72.9 years include: Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota: 56.9 yearsMcDowell County, West Virginia: 65.1 yearsUnion County, Florida: 67.9 yearsMonroe County, Arkansas: 68.8 yearsKusilvak Census Area, Alaska: 65 years The Yale School of Public Health study, published last month, looked at mortality trends by cohort, rather than standard life expectancy calculations, which estimate how long a newborn today is expected to live. While states in the West and Northeast saw continuous improvements, parts of the South have stagnated. For instance, female life expectancy in some Southern states increased by fewer than three years between the 1900 and 2000 birth cohorts. For males in the same region, life expectancy increased by less than two years since the 1950 cohort. Washington, D.C., had the lowest life expectancy in the 1900 birth cohort at 61.1 years, but it achieved one of the most significant gains over the century, reaching 72.8 years. The Yale study examined the rate at which mortality increased after age 35, which is summarized by the number of years it takes for an individual's risk of death to double. Longer doubling times indicate healthier aging. Regional differences were clear: New York and Florida showed slower mortality increases, while Oklahoma and Iowa saw faster mortality escalations. After 35 years of age, the highest rate-doubling time in a state was 9.39 years in New York for females and 11.47 years for males in Florida. Conversely, Oklahoma and Iowa exhibited the fastest doubling of death rates after age 35-a sign of more rapid health deterioration among their populations. The study concluded: "From 1969 to 2020, period life expectancy increased, although there was greater improvement for some states in the West and Northeast and less for some states in the South. "Some states in the West and Northeast showed increases in the cohort life expectancy greater than 30 years for those born in 2000 compared with 1900. However, in parts of the South, female cohort life expectancy increased by less than 2 years. "For male cohorts in parts of the South, life expectancy increased from 1900 to 1950 but by less than 2 years after 1950." County Health Rankings and Roadmaps says: "Safe housing, jobs that pay a living wage and well-resourced schools are among the factors, often called the social determinants of health, that make up a healthy community. "How these conditions are created, distributed and maintained determines the opportunity for everyone to thrive. Written and unwritten societal rules-and how they are applied-shape conditions for healthy communities. "Rules may be written in the form of policies and laws, or unwritten, in the form of worldviews and norms. Together, power and rules are the structural determinants of health." Yale researchers have called for policy changes to address the gaps in life expectancy across the country. "The disparities we see today are the result of decades of cumulative effects-on smoking rates, health care access, environmental exposures, and public health investments," the study's lead author, Theodore R. Holford, said. "Without conscious policy changes, these gaps will likely persist or even widen." Newsweek has contacted the Department of Health and Human Services, via email, for comment. Related Articles Map Shows Where Marijuana Is Legal as Pennsylvania Bill Moves ForwardMap Shows Where Child Marriage Remains Legal as Maine Ban Becomes LawMap Shows Rarest Baby Names in Each StateMap Shows Fluoride Bans on Drinking Water in US States 2025 NEWSWEEK DIGITAL LLC.
Newsweek
08-05-2025
- Newsweek
Map Shows US Counties With Life Expectancy Below North Korea's
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. Newsweek has created a map that highlights a sobering reality for parts of the United States: in dozens of U.S. counties, average life expectancy is now lower than that of North Korea. Life expectancy in North Korea—a country often cited for its economic hardship and limited healthcare access—stood at 72.6 years in 2021, according to the World Health Organization. Yet in parts of the United States—particularly in Southern states including Mississippi, Kentucky and West Virginia—county-level data shows average life expectancies below that threshold, according to the County Health Rankings project, an annual analysis conducted by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. It comes as new research carried out by the Yale School of Public Health (YSPH), published in JAMA Network Open, found that certain states' life expectancy is far worse than others—particularly in parts of the Deep South and Appalachia—underscoring the severity of health inequities within the United States. Why It Matters The U.S. spends more on health care per capita than any other country, yet significant health disparities persist, particularly in rural and low-income areas. Many of the counties falling below North Korea's life expectancy benchmark are in regions with high poverty rates, limited access to medical care, and a high burden of chronic diseases, including obesity and diabetes. What To Know U.S. counties where life expectancy falls below North Korea's average of 72.9 years include: Oglala Lakota County, South Dakota: 56.9 years 56.9 years McDowell County, West Virginia : 65.1 years : 65.1 years Union County, Florida : 67.9 years : 67.9 years Monroe County, Arkansas : 68.8 years : 68.8 years Kusilvak Census Area, Alaska: 65 years The Yale School of Public Health study, published last month, looked at mortality trends by cohort, rather than standard life expectancy calculations, which estimate how long a newborn today is expected to live. While states in the West and Northeast saw continuous improvements, parts of the South have stagnated. For instance, female life expectancy in some Southern states increased by fewer than three years between the 1900 and 2000 birth cohorts. For males in the same region, life expectancy increased by less than two years since the 1950 cohort. Washington, D.C., had the lowest life expectancy in the 1900 birth cohort at 61.1 years, but it achieved one of the most significant gains over the century, reaching 72.8 years. The Yale study examined the rate at which mortality increased after age 35, which is summarized by the number of years it takes for an individual's risk of death to double. Longer doubling times indicate healthier aging. Regional differences were clear: New York and Florida showed slower mortality increases, while Oklahoma and Iowa saw faster mortality escalations. After 35 years of age, the highest rate-doubling time in a state was 9.39 years in New York for females and 11.47 years for males in Florida. Conversely, Oklahoma and Iowa exhibited the fastest doubling of death rates after age 35—a sign of more rapid health deterioration among their populations. The study concluded: "From 1969 to 2020, period life expectancy increased, although there was greater improvement for some states in the West and Northeast and less for some states in the South. "Some states in the West and Northeast showed increases in the cohort life expectancy greater than 30 years for those born in 2000 compared with 1900. However, in parts of the South, female cohort life expectancy increased by less than 2 years. "For male cohorts in parts of the South, life expectancy increased from 1900 to 1950 but by less than 2 years after 1950." What People Are Saying County Health Rankings and Roadmaps says: "Safe housing, jobs that pay a living wage and well-resourced schools are among the factors, often called the social determinants of health, that make up a healthy community. "How these conditions are created, distributed and maintained determines the opportunity for everyone to thrive. Written and unwritten societal rules—and how they are applied—shape conditions for healthy communities. "Rules may be written in the form of policies and laws, or unwritten, in the form of worldviews and norms. Together, power and rules are the structural determinants of health." What Happens Next Yale researchers have called for policy changes to address the gaps in life expectancy across the country. "The disparities we see today are the result of decades of cumulative effects—on smoking rates, health care access, environmental exposures, and public health investments," the study's lead author, Theodore R. Holford, said. "Without conscious policy changes, these gaps will likely persist or even widen." Newsweek has contacted the Department of Health and Human Services, via email, for comment.
