Odilichi Ezenwanne, MD, MPH; Rich Crawford, MD, MPH; Patrick L. Remington, MD, MPH
WMJ. 2020;119(2):119-121
ABSTRACT
Background: Wisconsin’s health ranking dropped from 7th healthiest in 1990 to 23rd in 2018. The purpose of this paper is to identify the contributory factors to this decline.
Methods: Trends in Wisconsin’s health rank for 1990 to 2018 were compared overall and for only identical measures used in both years.
Results: Of the identical measures used in both years (n=10), the median rank declined from 8.5 (range 6-21) in 1990 to 19 (range 9-43) in 2018, with the greatest declines for infectious diseases, infant mortality, and smoking. The ranks were lower in 2018 for the similar measures used and for measures used only in 2018 compared to measures used only in 1990.
Discussion: Wisconsin’s drop in health ranking is real and calls for action to address the root causes.