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Goal: All people living in Minnesota will have optimum physical and mental health.
The saying "If you don't have your health, you don't have anything" holds true for our region as well. Quality of life in Minnesota is intrinsically tied to the health of its inhabitants. Individually, robust health makes people feel good physically and mentally,bolsters an optimistic outlook and extends life expectancy. Collectively, we all benefit when our citizens are strong and healthy.
what's happening
- The percentage of adult Minnesotans with diabetes nearly doubled between 1995 and 2008. However, at 5.9 percent, Minnesota has the lowest percentage of adults with diabetes among all states.
- The increase in the obesity rate has become a national public health issue. About 1 in 4 adults in our state was obese in 2008, compared to 1 in 6 in 1995. Minnesotans are about equally likely to be obese as adults across the nation.
- Minnesota ranked third best among all states — behind only Massachusetts and Hawaii — in the percentage of residents under 65 who had health care coverage in 2008. Despite this, nearly 450,000 residents including 80,000 children, did not have health insurance.
making connections
A strong economy depends on the good health of its citizens. Businesses retain a vital and productive workforce, which attracts new economic growth to the region. Health care costs, and their burden to society, are reduced.
Quiz
| How fat are we? Where does Minnesota rank nationally for percentage of obese adults? (Rank #1 has the lowest obesity rate.) | |
| a. 3rd | |
| b. 7th | |
| c. 14th | |
| d. 33rd | |
New in our Library
- Benefit-cost calculations for three adult drug courts in Minnesota
- Behind bars II: Substance abuse and America's prison population
- Healthy, equitable transportation policy: Recommendations and research
- National healthcare disparities report 2008
- AHRQ Activities to reduce racial and ethnic disparities in health care: Program brief
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