Hawaii eighth in health foundation's ranking
Hawaii ranked eighth-best among states in key health measures, according to America's Health Rankings 2024 Annual Report—a drop from sixth place in 2023.
While the state got the top ranking for its low rates of adults avoiding care due to cost, it ranked in the bottom half for other factors, including No. 34 for the number of primary care providers and No. 36 in the economic hardship index.
'For many key indicators of public health, the data show that Hawaii performs exceptionally well, ' said Dr. Kenneth Fink, Hawaii Department of Health director, in a news release. 'However, in certain areas—primarily economic factors and certain personal behaviors—there are opportunities for improvement.'
The report is the longest-running annual assessment of the nation's health on a state-by-state basis, according to the foundation. The 2024 report ranked states based on 88 measures spanning five categories of health and well-being.
Hawaii ranked No. 1 for health outcomes, due in part to recording the lowest rates in the nation for frequent mental distress reported among adults (13 %) and racial disparities in premature death ; the second-lowest rate of adult obesity (26 %); and the third-lowest rate of adults with multiple chronic conditions (7.7 %).
Don 't miss out on what 's happening !
Stay in touch with breaking news, as it happens, conveniently in your email inbox. It 's FREE !
Email 28141 Sign Up By clicking to sign up, you agree to Star-Advertiser 's and Google 's and. This form is protected by reCAPTCHA.
Cases of frequent mental distress among adults, however, jumped 54 % from 2014 to 2023.
For clinical care, Hawaii ranked No. 7 due in part to recording the lowest rates in the nation for avoided care due to cost (6.7 %) and No. 2 for the second-lowest percentage of population uninsured (3.2 %).
Hawaii ranked lower for categories that looked at social and economic factors affecting public health.
The state ranked 36th on a scale of 1 to 100 for the Economic Hardship Index, which factors in crowded housing, per capita income, and poverty and unemployment rates.
Socially, Hawaii also ranked low for voter participation, at 34th, and volunteerism, at 45th.
Hawaii ranked high for number of dental care providers, at No. 4, but in the bottom half for number of mental health providers, at No. 28, and number of primary care providers, at No. 34.
The state offered a mixed bag in the category of physical environment—a top ranking for low rates of air pollution and drinking water violations, on one hand, but a bottom ranking for water fluoridation, on the other hand.
Hawaii does not add fluoride to its public drinking water system to help battle cavities and tooth decay. The Honolulu City Council in 2004 voted to from being added to Oahu's public water supply.
The state's legislative efforts to change the ban have so far been.
Hawaii residents also ranked No. 44 for percentage of adults that use e-cigarettes (10 %) and drink excessively (20 %)—and at the bottom, No. 50, for percentage of adults with insufficient sleep (45.6 %).
The report also found that drug deaths increased 74 %, from 11.3 to 19.7 deaths per 100, 000 people between 2013 and 2022.
In overall ranking, New Hampshire ranked first, Vermont second, and Massachusetts third. Louisiana was 50th, at the bottom of the overall ranking.
Monitoring state's health Where Hawaii ranked :—Overall rank : 8th—Health outcomes : 1st—Clinical care : 7th—Social & Economic Factors : 14th—Behaviors : 17th—Physical environment : 27th A closer look—Premature death racial disparity : 1st—Obesity among adults : 2nd—Percent of population uninsured : 2nd—Multiple chronic conditions among adults : 3rd—Dental visits among adults : 3rd—Premature deaths : 6th—4th grade reading proficiency : 8th—Childhood immunizations : 17th—Fruit and vegetable consumption : 19th—Mental health providers (per 100, 000 ): 28th—Primary care providers (per 100, 000 ): 34th—Voter participation : 34th—Economic hardship index : 36th—E-cigarette use among adults : 44th—Excessive drinking among adults : 44th—Volunteerism : 45th—Severe housing problems : 50th—Sleep health : 50th—Water fluoridation : 50th Key findings—Drug deaths increased 74 % (from 2013 to 2022 )—Frequent mental distress increased 54 % (from 2014 to 2023 )—Teen births dropped 53 % (from 2013 to 2022 )—Uninsured declined 40 % (from 2014 to 2023 )
Source : America's Health Rankings 2024 Annual Report
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Wire
a day ago
- Business Wire
Alen Celebrates 20 Years of Innovation and Leadership in Air Purification For Home, School and Work
AUSTIN, Texas--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Alen, a leader in the air purification industry, today celebrates 20 years of creating best-in-class air purifiers that ensure the health and safety for millions of Americans. The Austin-based company has become a trusted name in clean air solutions since its founding in 2005, recognized by leading industry and scientific experts for its powerful technology, thoughtful design and its deep commitment to healthier living. 'Alen began with one goal in mind. Make clean air simple, effective, and accessible, for people and pets,' said Warburg Lee, Founder and CEO of Alen. 'Since then, both outdoor and indoor air quality have worsened due to wildfires, increased allergens, and viruses, making our mission even more critical. We're a health and wellness company, not just an air purifier company, with a mandate to create healthy living and working environments. From our earliest models to our most recent advanced purifier models, our north star is that we remove 99.9 percent of airborne particulates while operating quietly in the background to protect what matters most.' 20 years of achievements include: Growing from start-up to nationally recognized brand with over 50 team members, availability in all 50 states, serving more than 2 million customers worldwide, and developing the fifth generation of advanced air purifier systems with new products launching in October 2025. Meeting critical third-party standards, including certifications from ENERGY STAR, Quiet Mark, SleepScore Labs, and the Asthma and Allergy Friendly Program. Products are tested to remove up to 99.9 percent of airborne particles down to 0.1 microns. Sought-after by national retailers including Lowe's and Amazon to carry Alen products because they are a trusted brand for homes, schools, and businesses across the country. Continued excellence in technology, developing proprietary technology, industry-first features, and responsive design with intelligent sensors and proprietary airID technology that detects and responds to real-time air quality changes, automatically adjusting to remove pollutants like dust, smoke, and chemicals for cleaner, healthier air. Day-one pursuit of design to fit the aesthetics of modern living. Alen purifiers blend seamlessly into bedrooms, offices, classrooms, and large commercial spaces with multiple sizes, ultra-quiet performance, and customizable designer panels. Alen's mission to improve indoor air became a national movement for wellness. Alen continues to lead with purpose, innovation, and a long-standing commitment to help people breathe better and live healthier. Alen is preparing to introduce new models later this year, building on its reputation for premium air purification and breakthrough technology. These upcoming releases will reinforce its position as a leader in clean air solutions. Alen is poised to deliver greater impact across both retail and business-to-business markets, backed by ongoing innovation, supply chain strength, and strategic commercial partnerships. To explore Alen's full range of air purification solutions, visit About Alen Alen is an Austin-based innovator of high-performance air purifiers, committed to creating healthier indoor environments through advanced, scientifically validated technology. Alen's purifiers use True HEPA filters and are independently certified by Quiet Mark, the Asthma & Allergy Friendly® Certification Program, SleepScore Labs, and ENERGY STAR® for delivering best-in-class air purification, energy efficiency, ultra-quiet operation, and improved sleep quality. Alen's mission to enhance quality of life in homes, workplaces, and shared spaces is driven by the belief that wellness begins with pure air. Alen empowers individuals and families to lead healthier lives with cleaner, safer air and greater peace of mind through proprietary features like airID smart sensor technology and a commitment to lifetime reliability.
Business Wire
2 days ago
- Business Wire
Astria Therapeutics Reports Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results and Provides a Corporate Update
BOSTON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Astria Therapeutics, Inc. (NASDAQ:ATXS), a biopharmaceutical company focused on developing life-changing therapies for allergic and immunologic diseases, today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2025, and provided a corporate update. 'Delivering on navenibart's best-in-class potential is our top priority, and enrollment in the global Phase 3 ALPHA-ORBIT trial is well underway with active sites across the U.S., U.K., Canada, Hong Kong, and South Africa' said Jill C. Milne, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer at Astria Therapeutics. "We are encouraged by the strong enthusiasm from patients and physicians, including at the recent HAEA conference, where we had the opportunity to engage with the HAE community. We were also thrilled to announce a strategic partnership with Kaken. Their expertise supports our ongoing Phase 3 enrollment, contributes to strengthening our financial position, and may ultimately help expand global patient access to navenibart.' Navenibart (STAR-0215) In August, Astria announced that it has exclusively licensed development and commercialization rights in Japan to Kaken Pharmaceutical for navenibart. Under the agreement, Astria will receive an upfront payment of $16 million, with the potential for an additional $16 million in total commercialization and sales milestones. In addition to these payments, Astria is also eligible for tiered royalties with the royalty rate as a percentage of net sales up to 30%, and partial Phase 3 cost reimbursement. The navenibart Phase 3 program consists of the ALPHA-ORBIT Phase 3 trial and the ORBIT-EXPANSE long-term trial, which are designed to support registration globally. ALPHA-ORBIT is a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled study evaluating the efficacy and safety of navenibart over a 6-month treatment period, with dosing arms every 3 months (Q3M) and every 6 months (Q6M). Enrollment is ongoing and top-line results are expected in early 2027. After completing ALPHA-ORBIT, eligible patients may continue into the open-label ORBIT-EXPANSE study, which includes 6 months of additional treatment followed by a patient-centric flexible dosing phase. Positive initial results from the ongoing ALPHA-SOLAR long-term open-label trial of navenibart were presented at the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) Annual Congress. All 16 ALPHA-STAR target enrollment participants continued into ALPHA-SOLAR and the results are highly consistent with ALPHA-STAR - showing robust overall reduction in monthly attack rates (92% mean and 97% median) and a well-tolerated safety profile. STAR-0310 Astria is developing STAR-0310, an investigational high-potency and long-acting monoclonal antibody OX40 antagonist that incorporates YTE technology, for the treatment of atopic dermatitis (AD) and potentially other indications. STAR-0310 was intentionally designed to capitalize on the learnings of OX40 receptor and OX40 ligand programs with the goal of having the best overall OX40 therapy. The Company initiated a Phase 1a clinical trial of STAR-0310 in healthy subjects in January 2025. The Phase 1a trial is intended to assess the safety, tolerability, pharmacokinetics, and immunogenicity of STAR-0310 in healthy adult participants, with early proof-of-concept (POC) results expected in the third quarter of 2025. Data presented at the European Academy of Allergy and Clinical Immunology (EAACI) annual congress support STAR-0310 as a potential best-in-class OX40 antagonist, with a unique allosteric inhibition mechanism, enhanced disruption of OX40/OX40L signaling compared to other agents, and pure antagonistic activity without agonism. These findings, along with previously reported low ADCC activity and robust cytokine suppression, highlight STAR-0310's differentiated profile and its potential to achieve deeper inhibition of T cell responses. Upcoming Corporate Events Cantor Global Healthcare Conference (September 3-5, 2025, New York, New York) Second Quarter 2025 Financial Results Cash Position: As of June 30, 2025, Astria had cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments of $259.2 million, compared to $328.1 million as of December 31, 2024. The Company expects that its cash, cash equivalents and short-term investments as of June 30, 2025, together with the Kaken upfront payment and expected reimbursement of a portion of the Company's Phase 3 program costs, will be sufficient to fund its current operating plan into 2028, including (i) for navenibart, support for all program activities through completion of our ALPHA-ORBIT Phase 3 trial, including activities related to the planned ORBIT-EXPANSE long-term trial and Phase 3 development and testing of drug device combinations, and (ii) for STAR-0310, the completion of the ongoing Phase 1a clinical trial of healthy subjects. Net cash used in operating activities for the three months ended June 30, 2025 was $36.1 million, compared to $16.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024. R&D Expenses: Research and development expenses were $25.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $20.7 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024. The increase in research and development expenses was attributed to an increase in navenibart expenses related to the support of the ALPHA-ORBIT clinical trial and employee expenses, partially due to increases in stock-based compensation and company growth to support the advancement of our programs, during the three months ended June 30, 2025. G&A Expenses: General and administrative expenses were $9.9 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $8.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024. The increase in general and administrative expenses was attributable to company growth to support the advancement of our programs, stock-based compensation and other professional services. Operating Loss: Loss from operations was $35.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025, compared to $28.8 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024. Net Loss: Net loss was $33.1 million for the three months ended June 30, 2025, compared to a net loss of $24.2 million for the three months ended June 30, 2024. Net Loss Per Share Basic and Diluted: Net loss per share basic and diluted was $0.57 for the three months ended June 30, 2025, compared to a net loss basic and diluted of $0.43 per share for the three months ended June 30, 2024. About Astria Therapeutics: Astria Therapeutics is a biopharmaceutical company, and our mission is to bring life-changing therapies to patients and families affected by allergic and immunologic diseases. Our lead program, navenibart (STAR-0215), is an investigational monoclonal antibody inhibitor of plasma kallikrein in clinical development for the treatment of hereditary angioedema. Our second program, STAR-0310, is an investigational monoclonal antibody OX40 antagonist in clinical development for the treatment of atopic dermatitis. Learn more about our company on our website, or follow us on Instagram @AstriaTx and on Facebook and LinkedIn. Forward Looking Statements: This press release contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of applicable securities laws and regulations including, but not limited to, statements regarding: the expected timing of receipt of topline results from the navenibart ALPHA-ORBIT Phase 3 trial; the goals and objectives of the ALPHA-ORBIT Phase 3 trial and the ORBIT-EXPANSE long-term trial, including that they are designed to support registration of Q3M and Q6M navenibart administration; our goal of developing two dosing options for navenibart; the potential for navenibart in the HAE market, including the potential to be the market leading treatment in HAE, the potential therapeutic and other benefits of navenibart as a treatment for HAE, and our vision and goals for the program; the objectives, goals and potential payments from our agreement with Kaken Pharmaceutical; the potential therapeutic benefits and potential attributes of STAR-0310 as a treatment for AD; expectations regarding the nature and timing of receipt of early proof-of-concept results from such trial, including our expectation that such results will inform on STAR-0310's differentiated profile; the potential to develop STAR-0310 in additional indications; our goals and vision for STAR-0310; statements about the Company's current operating plan and the Company's anticipated cash runway; and the goal of bringing life changing therapies to patients and families affected by allergic and immunological diseases and to become a leading allergy and immunology company. The use of words such as, but not limited to, 'anticipate,' 'believe,' 'continue,' 'could,' 'estimate,' 'expect,' 'goals,' 'intend,' 'may,' 'might,' 'plan,' 'potential,' 'predict,' 'project,' 'should,' 'target,' 'will,' 'would,' or "vision," and similar words expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are neither historical facts nor assurances of future performance. Instead, they are based on Astria's current beliefs, expectations and assumptions regarding the future of its business, future plans and strategies, future financial performance, results of pre-clinical and clinical results of Astria's product candidates and other future conditions. Actual results may differ materially from those indicated by such forward-looking statements as a result of various important factors, including the following risks and uncertainties: changes in applicable laws or regulations; the possibility that we may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors; risks inherent in pharmaceutical research and development, such as: adverse results in our drug discovery, preclinical and clinical development activities, the risk that the results of preclinical studies, including of navenibart and STAR-0310, may not be replicated in clinical trials, that the preliminary or interim results from clinical trials may not be indicative of the final results, that the results of early stage clinical trials, such as the results from the navenibart Phase 1a clinical trial and the initial results from the ALPHA-STAR trial, may not be replicated in later stage clinical trials, including additional and final results from the ALPHA-STAR trial or the planned navenibart Phase 3 development program; the risk that we may not be able to enroll sufficient patients in our clinical trials on a timely basis, and the risk that any of our clinical trials may not commence, continue or be completed on time, or at all; decisions made by, and feedback received from, the FDA and other regulatory authorities on our regulatory and clinical trial submissions and other feedback from potential clinical trial sites, including investigational review boards at such sites, and other review bodies with respect to navenibart, STAR-0310, and any other future development candidates, and devices for such product candidates; our ability to manufacture sufficient quantities of drug substance and drug product for navenibart, STAR-0310, and any other future product candidates, and devices for such product candidates, on a cost-effective and timely basis, and to develop dosages and formulation for navenibart, STAR-0310, and any other future product candidates that are patient-friendly and competitive; our ability to develop biomarker and other assays, along with the testing protocols therefore; our ability to obtain, maintain and enforce intellectual property rights for navenibart, STAR-0310, and any other future product candidates; our potential dependence on collaboration partners; competition with respect to navenibart, STAR-0310, or any of our other future product candidates; the risk that survey results and market research may not be accurate predictors of the commercial landscape for HAE, the ability of navenibart to compete in HAE and the anticipated position and attributes of navenibart in HAE based on clinical data to date, its preclinical profile, pharmacokinetic modeling, market research and other data; risks with respect to the ability of STAR-0310 to compete in AD and the anticipated position and attributes of STAR-0310 in AD based on its preclinical profile; our ability to manage our cash usage and the possibility of unexpected cash expenditures; our ability to obtain necessary financing to conduct our planned activities, including the costs associated with commercialization of navenibart if regulatory approval is obtained, and to manage unplanned cash requirements; the risks and uncertainties related to our ability to recognize the benefits of any additional acquisitions, licenses or similar transactions; and general economic and market conditions; as well as the risks and uncertainties discussed in the 'Risk Factors' sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the period ended December 31, 2024 and our Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended June 30, 2025, and in other filings that we may make with the Securities and Exchange Commission. New risks and uncertainties may emerge from time to time, and it is not possible to predict all risks and uncertainties. Astria may not actually achieve the forecasts or expectations disclosed in our forward-looking statements, and investors and potential investors should not place undue reliance on Astria's forward-looking statements. Neither Astria, nor its affiliates, advisors or representatives, undertake any obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement, whether as result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as required by law. These forward-looking statements should not be relied upon as representing Astria's views as of any date subsequent to the date hereof. Astria Therapeutics, Inc. C onsolidated Statements of Operations (In thousands, except share and per share data) (Unaudited) Astria Therapeutics, Inc. Selected Consolidated Balance Sheets Data (In thousands) (Unaudited) June 30, December 31, 2025 2024 Assets Cash and cash equivalents $ 76,319 $ 59,820 Short-term investments 182,859 268,312 Right-of-use asset 4,546 5,114 Other current and long-term assets 18,200 9,117 Total assets 281,924 342,363 Liabilities and stockholders' equity Current portion of operating lease liabilities 1,399 1,384 Long term portion of operating lease liabilities 3,367 3,969 Other current and long-term liabilities 16,645 17,747 Total liabilities 21,411 23,100 Total stockholders' equity $ 260,513 $ 319,263 Expand Astria Therapeutics, Inc. Selected Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows Data (In thousands) (Unaudited) Six Months Ended June 30, 2025 2024 Net cash used in operating activities $ (70,076 ) $ (35,885 ) Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities 86,575 (194,334 ) Net cash provided by financing activities - 141,901 Net increase (decrease) in cash, cash equivalents and restricted cash $ 16,499 $ (88,318 ) Expand
Yahoo
07-08-2025
- Yahoo
5 Billion Sea Stars Have Shattered and Died Over the Past 10 Years, Scientists May Finally Know Why
A team of international researchers discovered the cause of a sea-star wasting diseaseNEED TO KNOW The cause of a sea star-wasting disease was determined to be a bacterium known as Vibrio pectenicida The disease causes sea stars to disintegrate to death in a white, goo-like substance An estimated 95% of sunflower sea stars died during the 10-year epidemicAfter an estimated 5 billion sea stars died due to a wasting disease in oceans globally, scientists have identified the root cause of the disease. A team of researchers identified the cause as a bacterium known as Vibrio pectenicida. The team reported its findings this week in Nature Ecology & Evolution. The disease causes starfish to disintegrate into a white, slimy substance. The disease is the largest documented epidemic for a noncommercial species, and it has affected more than 20 species of sea stars along the West Coast of North America, Scientific American reports. An estimated 90% of sunflower sea stars ( known as Pycnopodia helianthoides) have died from the illness, making them a critically endangered species. Sunflower sea stars are capable of sprouting 24 arms and growing to the size of a bicycle tire, per the Associated Press. The epidemic has lasted a decade. The same strain of bacteria has also infected shellfish. The international research project was led by scientists from the Hakai Institute, the University of British Columbia (UBC), and the University of Washington—and conducted in collaboration with The Nature Conservancy, the Tula Foundation, the U.S. Geological Survey's Western Fisheries Research Center, and the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife. The first author on the study and an evolutionary ecologist at the Hakai Institute and UBC, Melanie Prentice, told Tula: "When we lose billions of sea stars, that really shifts the ecological dynamics.' Prentice went on to describe the impact of losing a sea star. 'In the absence of sunflower stars, sea urchin populations increase, which means the loss of kelp forests, and that has broad implications for all the other marine species and humans that rely on them," she explained. "So losing a sea star goes far beyond the loss of that single species.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. With the sharp decline in sea stars, the sea urchins that usually serve as a food source rapidly expanded in population. In turn, they ate nearly 95% of the kelp forests in Northern California within a decade. These kelp forests help provide food and habitats for a wide variety of marine life, including fish, sea otters and seals, per the AP. With these new findings, researchers are hoping to revive the sea star population and restore balance to the ecosystem, the outlet reported. Read the original article on People
