Report: R.I. in nation’s top 10 for health of women and children

THE UNITED HEALTH FOUNDATION, an independent nonprofit founded by UnitedHealth Group, ranked Rhode Island ninth in the nation for the health of women and children. Massachusetts ranked No. 1 in the nation. / COURTESY UNITED HEALTH FOUNDATION
THE UNITED HEALTH FOUNDATION, an independent nonprofit founded by UnitedHealth Group, ranked Rhode Island ninth in the nation for the health of women and children. Massachusetts ranked No. 1 in the nation. / COURTESY UNITED HEALTH FOUNDATION

PROVIDENCE – A report released by the United Health Foundation ranked the health of women and children in Rhode Island as ninth best in the nation, according to a recent release by the organization.

Overall, the health of Rhode Island women ranked fifth in the United States, the health of Rhode Island children was 12th in the nation and the state’s infant health ranking was 28th among the 50 states.

The state was praised for its low child mortality rate (13.9 deaths per 100,000 children under age 18) and high percent of cervical cancer screening (94.5 percent of 18-44-year-old women) and Maternity Practices in Infant and Nutrition Care, or mPINC, survey score (86 percent).

Rhode Island ranks first in the nation for adolescent immunizations and 11th for childhood immunizations.

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The Ocean State came in second in the nation for well-women visits and flu vaccines, third for cervical cancer screening and fifth for dental visits.

However, the state still faces some challenges when it comes to the health of women and children. The United Health Foundation report found a high prevalence of excessive drinking among women (19.6 percent among 18-44-year-old women), especially pregnant women (15.5 percent of 18-44-year-old women), and few supportive neighborhoods for children under the age of 17 (70.5 percent).

In terms of policy regarding women and children’s health, Rhode Island ranked second in the nation, but 32nd in the behaviors category, with Rhode Island infants’ behaviors ranking 45th in the nation. The state is 33rd in low-risk cesarean section delivery (25.8 percent of deliveries) and 42nd in well-baby checks (89.3 percent of babies in the state).

United Health Foundation found the state ranked 14th overall for general population health and 11th for senior health.
Massachusetts ranked No. 1 among the 50 states. Vermont ranked No. 2, New Hampshire No. 3 and Connecticut No. 4. Maine was the only New England state to rank outside the top 10, at No. 11.

More information about Rhode Island can be found on the United Health Foundation’s website. To see entire report, click HERE.
The United Health Foundation was founded as a nonprofit in 1999 by the UnitedHealth Group and has committed nearly $315 million to programs and communities across the globe, according to its website.

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