Health articles
Get unbiased data and visuals on healthcare, health insurance, birth and death rates, life expectancy, sickness, and disease.
Just the Facts about US healthcare and the health of Americans
Americans have faced many health challenges in recent years, from opioid addiction to COVID-19. And accidental deaths are rising. So what does the government spend on health for its citizens?
How many people get sick from foodborne illnesses?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that nearly 9.9 million people (or a population that’s a bit more than New Jersey) contract foodborne illnesses every year. Of those, an estimated 53,300 people are hospitalized and 931 die.Foodborne illnesses are severely underreported; some outbreaks are never reported to local health departments, and some are never formally identified because individuals do not seek medical assistance. The CDC’s National Outbreak Reporting System (NORS) collects all the data it can, but reporting is voluntary. Based NORS data, the number of reported illnesses decreased 65% from 1998 to 2023. In 2023, 9,521 Americans reported becoming sick from a foodborne illness.
May 8, 2025How many people die from gun-related injuries in the US each month?
An estimated 3.8K in August 2024, the most recent month for which data is available. This includes homicides, suicides, accidents, and other incidents where a shooting was considered the primary cause of death.
How much fentanyl is seized at US borders each month?
About 720 pounds in May 2025. Fentanyl is a synthetic opioid used medically as a pain reliever but is also trafficked illegally due to its potency. In 2023, the latest data available, fentanyl was involved in 69% of fatal accidental drug overdoses in the US.
Updates monthlyHow many drug overdose deaths happen every year in the US?
In 2022, there were about 107,941 overdose deaths. That means that for every 100,000 people living in the US, 32 died of a drug overdose. This is the highest the drug overdose death rate has reached since data from 1999 became available.
Which states have the highest and lowest life expectancy?
From 2022 to 2023, life expectancy across the United States rose from 77.5 to 78.4 years, according to final death data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).But what exactly does life expectancy mean? And how does it vary by state?
Mar 27, 2025Drug prices have outpaced inflation since the 1980s
Drug prices were 5.5 times higher in 2024 than in 1985, according to Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) data, and their increases are outpacing general cost-of-living increases: The cost of medication has gone up three times as fast as the overall rate of inflation, with drugs targeting heart disease rising the fastest.
Mar 21, 2025Do women live longer than men in the US?
In the United States, women are expected to outlive men by 5.3 years. This longevity gap, which was two years in 1900, grew to nearly eight around 1980 before dropping to its current level. What are the average lifespans for men and women born in the US?
Mar 21, 2025Which vaccines are recommended for American adults?
Federal vaccine recommendations and state mandates only apply to children, but the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also recommends that adults stay up to date on certain vaccines. Which ones? It depends; recommended vaccinations depend on factors like age, pregnancy, or medical conditions increase infection risks.
Mar 12, 2025What are the leading causes of death in the US?
In 2022, heart disease, cancer, and accidents were the leading causes of death. Out of the nearly 3.3 million deaths in 2022, over 1.5 million, or 47%, were due to one of these three causes. The fourth, fifth, and sixth most common causes were COVID-19, cerebrovascular diseases, and chronic lower respiratory diseases.
How many people have mental illness in the United States?
About 58.7 million adults had a mental illness in 2023. That’s the equivalent of 22.8% of the adult population of the U.S, or 2 in 9 adults. This data comes from an annual survey by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), which defines mental illness as a range of disorders, from mild to severe, affecting a person’s thinking, mood, or behavior.
Updates annuallyHow many people die by suicide in the United States each year?
About 49,476 people died by suicide in 2022. In other words, there were about 14.2 suicides for every 100,000 people in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says several factors cause suicide and they exist at individual, community, and societal levels.
What does the Department of Health and Human Services do?
The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is a cabinet-level executive branch agency responsible for overseeing public health policy and administering funding for health programs and services. The department's functions include managing national health programs like Medicare and Medicaid, advancing medical research, ensuring food and drug safety, and promoting health equity for all individuals. It was established in 1980 after the Department of Health, Education, and Welfare was reorganized into separate entities.
Updates annuallyHow many kids are vaccinated?
Children born during the COVID-19 pandemic are getting fewer vaccines compared to children born in the 2010s. To control infectious diseases in the US population, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that all kids get a set of vaccines known as the “combined 7-series” vaccines, by the time they turn 2. Though trends for the individual vaccines in the series vary, complete vaccination is trending downward: 72.8% of children born in 2020 and 2021 got the full set of seven by 35 months, compared to 74.4% of children born in 2013–2014.
Feb 7, 2025Is bird flu impacting egg prices?
Avian flu cases have emerged in flocks of both commercial and wild birds since 2022, contributing to spikes in egg prices, which crossed $4 a dozen in late 2024. What is the avian flu? Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), commonly called the bird flu, is the general term for a group of viruses that usually spread between birds but can also infect mammals, including humans. The symptoms include those usually associated with the flu: fever, cough, sore throat, aches, and fatigue. With bird flu in particular, conjunctivitis is also common. The health risk for humans is low — 67 people contracted bird flu in 2024, resulting in one death, and there hasn’t been any person-to-person spread — but the H5 strain of bird flu has been impacting America’s commercial poultry flocks on a large scale, and is now spreading among herds of cows.
Jan 23, 2025The Affordable Care Act and the data: Who is insured and who isn't
The Affordable Care Act (ACA) is a comprehensive healthcare reform act signed into law in March 2010, during Barack Obama’s first presidency.The legislation aimed to “make affordable health insurance available to more people” by offering tax credits to some enrollees, expanding Medicaid to be available based on income alone, and supporting innovation to lower the cost of providing healthcare.Is Obamacare the same thing as the ACA?Yes — “Obamacare” is an unofficial nickname for the ACA, used both inside and outside of government.What did the ACA do?The ACA had implications across the healthcare and insurance industries, including introducing a number of changes to how people get insured.In 2013, 85.5% of Americans were covered by public or private health insurance, leaving 14.5% uninsured. The ACA went into effect in 2014. By 2016, 91.4% were insured, dropping the uninsured percentage to 8.6%, a 5.9-point shift.In early 2023, the Department of Health and Human Services reported that more than 40 million people had enrolled in ACA-related insurance plans.
Jan 17, 2025How common are triplets and higher-order births?
In 1998, around 19 in 10,000 babies born in the US was a triplet (or more). By 2023, around seven in 10,000 were. How many is 10,000? It's just over half the capacity of Madison Square Garden. Both medical professionals and the general public have long been interested in pregnancies that result in two or more babies — also called multiple birth pregnancies. While twins are a familiar phenomenon, triplets, quadruplets, or more, are less common.What does “multiple births” mean?The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention defines “multiple births” as when a pregnancy results in two or more fetuses being delivered. Twin births are the most common type of multiple birth. In 2023, the rate of twin births was 306 per 10,000 births, or 3.06%. How common are triplets and higher-order multiple births?In 1998, the rate of triplets or higher-order multiple births was 193.5 out of 100,000 live births, or a rate of 0.19%. In 2023, this rate was 73.8 out of 100,000. That’s 0.07% of live births that year. Overall, from 1998 to 2023, the rate of triplets and higher-order multiple births dropped 61.9%.
Jan 2, 2025How have US fertility and birth rates changed over time?
Women nationwide are giving birth to fewer children than they did 100 years ago, 10 years ago, and even a year ago. Those who do are increasingly having children later in life. Measuring a nation’s fertility and birth rates helps explain how demographics may shift over time.How are fertility rates calculated?The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines the general fertility rate as the number of live births per 1,000 women ages 15 to 44.
Oct 25, 2024How many people skip medical treatment due to healthcare costs?
In 2023, 27% of American adults skipped some form of medical treatment because they couldn’t afford it, according to the Federal Reserve. This is lower than the 32% who avoided care in 2013, when data collection began, but ties with 2015 and 2017 as the fourth-highest year on record.The probability of declining medical care seems to correlate with income: 42% of people with a family income under $25,000 skipped some medical treatment in 2023, compared to 12% of people with incomes over $100,000.
Oct 14, 2024How far into pregnancy do most abortions happen?
In 2021, just under half (44.8%) of reported abortions occurred within the first six weeks of pregnancy. Another 36.0% happened between seven and nine weeks, and 12.7% within 10 and 13 weeks. Put another way, 93.5% of reported abortions were performed before two and a half months of pregnancy.Farther into pregnancy, abortions are less common. Of the remaining 6.5% of reported abortions, 2.7% occurred between 14 and 15 weeks, 1.5% at 16 to 17 weeks, 1.5% at 18 to 20 weeks, and 0.9% at 21 weeks or more.
Oct 3, 2024Which states are people traveling to for abortions?
According to the most recent national abortion data, 74,244 pregnant women traveled outside of their areas of residence for abortions in 2021. That’s 11.9% of all abortions reported that year. California, Maryland, New Hampshire, and New Jersey did not submit abortion data.Where are people traveling to get abortions?Washington, DC, had the highest rate of non-residents traveling for an abortion, at 70.8% and Kansas had the second highest rate at 49.9%.Abortion medication is available in Kansas, though abortions are prohibited after 22 weeks of gestation. Surrounding states Missouri, Arkansas, and Oklahoma all have laws prohibiting abortion regardless of gestational age.Abortion medication is available in Washington, DC, and in nearby Maryland, Delaware, and Virginia.
Aug 30, 2024Can Medicare negotiate the price of prescription drugs?
The 2022 passing of the Inflation Reduction Act means that, for the first time, Medicare can negotiate the prices of some prescription drugs.Ten prescription drugs covered by the Medicare Part D benefit program are now subject to price negotiation. This program won’t affect prices until 2026 and will expand annually until 2029. Medicare can only negotiate on the price of drugs that have a high total cost to the federal government, don’t have a generic alternative, and were approved by the FDA for at least the last seven years.What’s included in Medicare Part D?People 65 and older and people with certain disabilities are eligible for Medicare, a federally sponsored health insurance program. The optional Medicare Part D provides prescription drug coverage for about 52 million Americans as of November 2023.Most people participating in Part D pay a small monthly premium and must pay an annual deductible before the Medicare drug benefit starts assisting with costs. How much the government assists on medication costs depends on a person’s income and the total cost of a person’s prescriptions, among other factors.Is spending on Medicare Part D drugs increasing?Part D spending depends on several things including enrollment numbers, according to the Congressional Budget Office.One contributing factor is the size and quantity of drug manufacturer price rebates. Rebates are payments that manufacturers make to Medicare; on average, rebates are equivalent to 47% of the total price for standard drugs and 12% of the price for more specialized, expensive medications.According to annual reports by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), per-enrollee spending on Medicare Part D prescription drugs has decreased in recent years, falling 14% from a recent peak in 2015 to 2022.
Aug 1, 2024How much does the government spend on Medicare?
Medicare is a health insurance program in the United States for individuals aged 65 and older.In 2023, the federal government spent about $848.2 billion on Medicare, accounting for 14% of total federal spending. This amount averages approximately $15,727 per Medicare beneficiary annually.What is Medicare?Former president Lyndon B. Johnson signed Medicare into law on July 30, 1965. Younger people with specific disabilities and/or diseases are also eligible.Medicare is part of mandatory spending, which also includes Social Security, Medicaid, and Veterans care. These programs operate based on eligibility rules and benefit formulas established by law, making this spending “automatic” as it does not require annual appropriations by Congress.How many Americans use Medicare?The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services report that Medicare currently covers 67.1 million Americans, which is roughly one in four American adults. About 89.5% of Medicare recipients are 65 years old or older.
Aug 1, 2024US cancer rates and trends: how have cancer rates and mortality changed over time?
Cancer has been one of the top two leading causes of death in the United States for over 75 years. According to the National Cancer Institute (NCI), nearly 40.5% of all Americans will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lives.According to NCI data, 2024 could have over 2.0 million new cancer cases. It projects approximately 611,720 people could die from cancer.However, even though the overall number of cases rises as the population grows, fewer people are getting and dying from cancer. Between 2000 and 2021, the incidence rate — or the rate of new cancer cases per 100,000 people — declined by 5.7%, while the annual mortality rate fell by 27.5%.In 2021, age-adjusted figures show 458.3 new cancer cases and 144.2 deaths per 100,000 individuals.As of January 2022, an estimated 18.1 million cancer survivors were in the United States. That’s approximately 5.4% of the population.There are some disparities in cancer rates across different population demographics. As of 2022, Black and Indigenous Americans are more likely than any other racial demographic to die from the disease.However, age is still the most indicative cancer risk factor for all racial and ethnic groups.Cancer rates also vary between states due to differing local risk factors.
Jul 29, 2024How many people in the US get colon cancer?
In 2024, colorectal cancer is estimated to be the fourth most common cancer in men and women and the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States.In 2000, there were 153,118 cases of colorectal cancer, peaking at 153,889 in 2003. Cases fell to 139,115 in 2012, rose to 147,445 in 2019, and then dropped to 129,820 in 2020 and 131,902 in 2021, likely influenced by reduced testing during the COVID-19 pandemic.Between 2000 and 2021, nearly 3.5 million people were diagnosed with colorectal cancer, an amount comparable to the entire population of Connecticut in 2023. This averages to about 400 new cases daily and represents about 9.2% of all new cancer diagnoses during those years.In 2021, there were an estimated 1,392,445 people living with colorectal cancer in the US, meaning one out of every 238 people were directly affected by the disease that year.How many people die from colon cancer?From 2000 to 2021, nearly 1.2 million people died from colorectal cancer — roughly 146 people per day on average. Annual deaths ranged from roughly 57,000 to 52,000 per year. These totals have fallen by 8.2% over this period.What’s the difference between colon and colorectal cancer?Colorectal cancer refers to cancers that can develop in the colon or the rectum. There are key differences between colon and rectal cancers, such as where they occur and how they're treated.The colon is the large intestine, leading to the rectum, which connects to the anus. It's important to recognize that colon and rectal cancers are not the same; they have different risk factors and treatments. Understanding these differences helps ensure more effective care and treatment.Based on data from the National Cancer Institute (NCI), since 2000, about 70% of colorectal cancers have been diagnosed as colon cancers.Are colon cancer rates on the rise?Colorectal cancer incidence and mortality rates have fallen since 2000. Between 2000 and 2021, new case rates have dropped 32.7%, and mortality rates have fallen about 38.2%, according to NCI data.
Jul 29, 2024Which states ban the abortion pill?
On June 13, 2024, in FDA v. Alliance for Hippocratic Medicine, the US Supreme Court unanimously reversed a lower court decision suspending the Food and Drug Administration’s approval of mifepristone, a medication used to end pregnancies in the first trimester and treat early miscarriages. The ruling allows healthcare providers to continue distributing the medication without added restrictions.As of June 2024, 14 states have near-total bans on mifepristone. The other 36 states and Washington, DC, provide some form of legal access to the abortion medication.
Jul 15, 2024The opioid crisis in data
Few US communities remain untouched by opioid overdoses: they killed an average of 224 people each day in 2022.Opioid deaths have increased tenfold over the past 25 years. Among all addictions in 2021, the number of people in treatment for opioid addiction — for abuse of prescription opioids, heroin, and illegal fentanyl — was second only to alcohol abuse at reporting facilities.Since 2017, Congress has spent over $10.6 billion to address the opioid crisis, and lawsuits filed against drug manufacturers, distributors, and pharmacies have awarded nearly $50 billion to state and local governments. The JEC determined that determined that the opioid epidemic cost the US economy an estimated $1.5 trillion in 2020 alone.What are opioids?Opioids are a class of drug derived from poppies that are used to treat pain. They’re typically broken into three categories: illegal drugs like heroin; legal synthetic prescribed opioids like fentanyl which is 50 to 100 times more potent than heroin, and legal semi-synthetic opioids like oxycodone, hydrocodone, codeine, and morphine.When did the opioid epidemic begin?The 2014 arrival of illicit fentanyl accelerated the crisis, but opioid addiction and deaths predate its appearance on the market.
Jun 21, 2024Mammograms are recommended beginning at age 50. Are women getting them?
Adjusting for age, 71.6% of women 50 and older have had a mammogram screening in the past two years. This figure includes women of all backgrounds, including education, race, income level, and other factors, including insurance status — which denotes the biggest gap between who does or doesn’t get screened.According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in women, with approximately 119 per 100,000 women in the United States diagnosed with a new case in 2020. Among women’s cancer deaths, it is the second most common cause, responsible for approximately 19 deaths per 100,000 women in 2020.
Oct 24, 2023Has vehicle traffic returned to pre-pandemic levels?
Preliminary data from the Federal Highway Administration has American drivers logging a total of 2,154,571,000,000 miles this year to date — that’s 2.15 trillion — the most vehicle miles traveled during the first eight months of a calendar year since 2019.How much did the pandemic impact vehicle traffic?According to the USAFacts America in Facts 2023 report, the number of miles driven in the US increased at an average rate of 2% annually between 1970 and 2019. In 2020, fewer people traveled to work, school, or other destinations due to the pandemic, and vehicle miles dropped 11%. Miles driven rose again in 2021, 2022, and the first eight months of 2023.
Nov 3, 2023Where mental illness is increasing in the US
In 2019, adults in the US experienced mental illness at a higher rate than the decade prior. Within the previous year, 20.6% of adults had experienced a mental illness, compared to 18.1% in 2009, according to estimates from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.The increase is more pronounced for adults ages 18–25, reflecting trends among children and teens in recent years. The implications reach throughout the world of public policy, prompting discussions about mental health and access to professional services, alternatives to police responses to mental health crises, and the role of schools in addressing mental health at an early age.
Nov 16, 2023Which waterborne illnesses are most common?
In 2020, a Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) study estimated that waterborne illnesses affect around around 7.2 million Americans annually. These illnesses can spread through drinking water, recreational bodies of water like swimming pools and lakes, and via water used for agriculture.What is a waterborne illness?Waterborne illnesses are diseases caused by pathogens — bacteria, viruses, and parasites — that travel via water and are contracted by drinking or encountering contaminated water.What are the most common waterborne illnesses?Per CDC estimates, the five most common waterborne illnesses in the US are:Otitis externa or "swimmer’s ear": A bacterial infection that typically occurs when water stays in the outer ear canal for too long. Although more prevalent among children, anyone can get swimmer’s ear. It’s not contagious.Norovirus: A highly contagious virus that spreads through contaminated food or water — it’s considered both a foodborne and waterborne illness. It often spreads when an infected person handles food without washing their hands first.Giardiasis: A waterborne illness triggered by the microscopic parasite Giardia duodenalis. Giardia parasites spreads by being ingested in contaminated water or food. After infection, the parasite lives in the intestines and can be passed through fecal matter.Cryptosporidiosis: Cryptosporidium, often called “Crypto,” is a microscopic parasite that causes the diarrheal disease cryptosporidiosis. The primary symptom of a Cryptosporidium infection is watery diarrhea. Other symptoms include stomach cramps or pain, dehydration, nausea, vomiting, fever, and weight loss. It can be spread through drinking contaminated water or coming in contact with contaminated fecal matter.Campylobacteriosis: An illness caused by the bacteria Campylobacter, and the most common bacterial cause of diarrheal illness in the United States. Campylobacter spreads mainly through consumption of raw or undercooked poultry, or foods that have been in contact with raw poultry. It can also be transmitted through other foods, contact with infected animals, and untreated water.
Feb 7, 2024Food prices are up as millions of Americans are unemployed
At a time of record unemployment, Americans are paying more for food at the grocery store. In April, national prices for household food items rose 2.6% over March, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).This 2.6% change in food is a seasonally adjusted average for a category called the BLS Consumer Price Index (CPI) calls “Food at Home.” It’s an overall measure for price fluctuations for items like milk and bread. This increase is in the midst of when people must cook at home and can’t as easily opt for restaurants due to state-mandated closures due to COVID-19.The average price of goods overall declined 0.8%, but clearly not all categories experienced that decline.
May 23, 2020The $2 trillion CARES Act, a response to COVID-19, is equivalent to 45% of all 2019 federal spending
Congress passed several major pieces of legislation responding to the COVID-19 pandemic in the past few weeks. What’s the difference between these bills, currently being discussed in phases, and what’s the best way to measure the size of the CARES Act in the context of previous government spending?Phases I & II: First stages of the coronavirus responsePhase One – Health agencies and initial small business loansThis first significant piece of legislation passed on March 6, 2020. H.R. 6074, or the Coronavirus Preparedness and Response Supplemental Appropriations Act, provides $8.3 billion in funding for vaccine development, loans for affected small businesses, evacuations and emergency activities at State Department facilities, and other humanitarian assistance.Phase Two – Paid sick leave, unemployment benefits, and food assistancePhase Two refers to H.R. 6201, the Families First Coronavirus Response Act, which passed on March 17, 2020. The law provides roughly $100 billion in tax credits supporting emergency paid leave benefits. It also expands unemployment benefits and requires employers to give approximately two weeks of paid sick leave. The bill also increases access to food and nutrition support for both children and adults by waiving specific program requirements.Phase III: The CARES ActOn March 27, 2020, the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act was signed into law, amounting to over $2 trillion in aid. That’s roughly $6,000 per American or 45% of all federal government expenditures in 2019.
Sep 23, 2020How many people die in traffic accidents in the US?
Traffic fatalities increased more than 10% in 2021, according to preliminary data from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. The increase came along with a rise in out-of-state travel and greater miles traveled in 2021, rebounding after stay-at-home orders due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Most of the fatalities occurred on multilane highways and freeways.
Sep 2, 2022How does the government count COVID-19 deaths?
The number of COVID-19 deaths in the US since the pandemic began topped 700,000 in October. This makes the virus the nation’s third leading cause of death behind heart disease and cancer.Those numbers are preliminary, and the official data will not be complete until at least a year after the government officially ends the public health emergency for the pandemic. With both the provisional and official data tracking causes of death, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) requires anyone certifying death information to follow international standards from the World Health Organization.When an individual dies, there’s often multiple contributing conditions or factors. Those can create challenges for tracking the cause of death in government data.
Oct 25, 2021Which states have the highest risk for Lyme disease and other tick-borne diseases?
Every year from mid-spring to mid-summer, reports of tick bites rise. Although Lyme disease is the most well-known and most common tick-borne disease, there are others to be aware of.What is Lyme Disease?Lyme disease is the most common vector-borne disease in the US — that is, spread via blood-feeding insects like fleas, ticks, and mosquitoes. Symptoms include headache, fatigue, fever, and a skin rash. If untreated, the disease can spread to the heart, joints, and nervous system. In most cases, it can be successfully treated with antibiotics.How common is Lyme Disease?Although it’s difficult to know exactly how many people are infected every year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that around 476,000 people are diagnosed and treated for Lyme disease annually. The agency based this number on insurance claims from 2010–2018 — and it may be an overestimate due to people receiving treatment when they weren’t actually infected.The number of reported cases in 2022 was 63,000 or nearly 19 in 100,000 people. This is an increase from 2018’s 7.21 in 100,000 people.Why are estimates and reported cases so different? This is partly because reporting is not required, and what is reported varies by health department. Many cases are never reported because they're diagnosed and treated without lab testing.The CDC attributes increasing tick-borne diseases to changes in land use — suburban development has introduced people into areas where ticks are more likely to live. It also notes that changing climate patterns impact the locations and seasonality of tick bites.
May 15, 2024Gun injuries are killing more Americans. Which communities are most impacted?
The number of people dying from firearm-related incidents has been increasing since 2000 — in particular, deaths increased by 45.5% between 2012 and 2021, with a spike between 2019 and 2021. There were 48,830 firearms deaths in 2021, the highest total number since the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) began tracking this statistic in 1968. This is a 70% increase from 2000, when there were 28,663 firearm deaths.
Sep 21, 2023How many people die from extreme heat in the US?
For many Americans, managing high summer temperatures has become a fact of life. Unfortunately, the human toll of these longer and more intense heat waves is also increasing.Heat waves — defined by the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration as periods of two or more days where the weather is “abnormally and uncomfortably hot” and “outside the historical averages for a given area” — have become more frequent and longer in duration since the middle of the 20th century. In April 2023, 69.7 million Americans lived in counties experiencing higher temperatures than the 20th-century normal.In 2023, Americans are increasingly grappling with prolonged heat waves — sometimes dubbed “heat domes” or “heat islands” by the Environmental Protection Agency — even in areas accustomed to particularly high heat. Phoenix, Arizona, for example, registered an average daily high temperature of 114.7 degrees Fahrenheit in July.
Aug 22, 2023Is Medicaid enrollment dropping?
A pandemic provision kept states from disenrolling Medicaid recipients for years. Under the Consolidated Appropriations Act, this provision ended on March 31, 2023.The Office of Health Policy projects that 17.4% of those enrolled in Medicaid and the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), or approximately 15 million people, will lose coverage. Here’s how millions gained or continued coverage over the pandemic — and who will lose coverage soon.How did Medicaid enrollment change during the pandemic?Congress passed the continuous enrollment provision under the Families First Coronavirus Response Act at the onset of the pandemic. This policy prevented states from disenrolling Medicaid recipients to ensure public health needs were met.During the pandemic, states received a temporary increase in Medicaid funding with the expectation that enrollment rates would increase.Between 2020 and 2022, Medicaid enrollment grew by approximately 20 million people. As a result of this policy, the nation hit a historic low uninsured rate of 8% at the beginning of 2022.As of January 2023, over 93 million people were enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP.
May 8, 2023Who has health insurance? Are rates going up?
More Americans had health insurance in 2022 than the year before. According to the Census Bureau, 92.1% of people in the US had health insurance in 2022 — an all-time high — up from 91.7% in 2021.
Mar 15, 2024How much is spent on personal healthcare in the US?
Between private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, and personal out-of-pocket costs, America spent $3.7 trillion on personal healthcare in 2022, according to the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS). Personal healthcare expenditures come from various sources including private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, and personal out-of-pocket costs.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines personal healthcare as the goods and services relating directly to patient care, such as prescription drugs and hospital care. Expenditures are calculated by adding the total national health expenditures and then subtracting the cost of investment (in research and equipment, for example), health insurance administration, and public health.
Mar 7, 2024How much do Americans binge drink?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) lists excessive alcohol use as one of the leading preventable causes of death, which they define as “premature deaths that could have been avoided.”The agency, which is a division of the Department of Health and Human Services, conducts research and provides guidance on the health effects of excessive alcohol use, which includes binge drinking.What is binge drinking?The CDC defines “excessive alcohol use” as binge drinking, heavy drinking, and any alcohol use by people younger than 21 or who are pregnant.The definition of binge drinking, according to the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, is the consumption of enough alcohol to bring the drinker’s blood alcohol concentration level to .08% or more.For men, this typically corresponds with consuming five or more drinks on an occasion, and for women, it’s four or more. Binge drinking is considered “the most common and costly pattern of excessive alcohol use in the United States,” according to a 2018 study published by the CDC.Heavy drinking is consuming 15 or more drinks per week for a man, or eight or more drinks per week for a woman.The drinking parameters for pregnant women and young adults have changed over time. In 1981, the US Surgeon General advised pregnant women and those considering pregnancy not to drink at all. This recommendation was reinforced in 2005. In 1984, the National Minimum Drinking Age Act essentially forced states to adopt a legal drinking age of 21.How much do people binge drink in the US?Data from the 2021 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System showed that nearly one in six adults (15.3%) binge drink. A quarter (25%) of this group did so weekly, on average, and 25% consumed at least eight drinks during a binge occasion. According to the 2021 National Survey on Drug Use and Health, about 6% of US adults reported heavy drinking.
Aug 4, 2023How many people have died in the US military, and how?
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, between 1775 and 1991, the US military recorded 651,031 battle deaths and 539,054 non-combat deaths, totaling 1.19 million fatalities.Record-keeping has become more efficient in recent years. From 1980 to 2022, there were 60,770 recorded deaths, of which 50,789 (or 83.6%) were due to accidents, illness, and self-inflicted wounds.
Mar 5, 2024Who’s affected by elevated lead levels in the US?
Lead is a naturally occurring metal that can cause learning and behavior problems in children if they are exposed to it. In rare cases, it can even be fatal. Experts have not found any safe blood lead level, which means even low lead exposure can have adverse or long-term effects.Which age group has the highest average blood lead levels?In 2017–2018, US adults 20 years or older had the highest average concentration of lead in their blood, followed by children ages 1 to 5. People between the ages of 12 and 19 years old had the lowest blood lead levels.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) measured the blood lead levels of National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) participants in 2017–2018, the latest period reported to date.The NHANES found that 95% of adults 20 years or older had lead levels of 2.62 micrograms per deciliter (µg/dL) or lower. In comparison, 95% of people between ages 12 and 19 had lead levels less than half that amount at 1.09 µg/dL or lower.
Jan 31, 2024How many Americans have diabetes?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that 38.4 million people had diabetes in 2021 — 29.7 million people with diagnosed cases and an estimated 8.7 million undiagnosed — or 11.6% of the US population. The CDC estimates that 22.8% of adults with diabetes are undiagnosed, meaning they meet lab criteria for the disease but were not aware of it or did not report having diabetes.Another 97.6 million adults, or 38.0% of the adult population, are estimated to have prediabetes, a condition where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to be considered diabetes.
Feb 7, 2024What is the state of RSV in the United States?
Weekly hospitalization rates for respiratory syncytial virus, better known as RSV, rose from 0.2 per 100,000 people during the week of September 2, 2023, to 1.3 during the week of October 28, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s RSV Hospitalization Surveillance Network (RSV-NET).
Dec 5, 2023How many IVF babies are born in the US?
Parents who started assisted reproductive technologies (ART) treatments in 2021 gave birth to 97,128 babies, the vast majority of whom were conceived via in vitro fertilization. That’s nearly enough babies to fill Texas’ Cotton Bowl Stadium.From 2012 to 2021, the number of ART processes started more than doubled, and the number of infants born using these methods increased by 49%. One out of every 42 babies born in the US in 2021 was conceived using these treatments.
Apr 19, 2024What is the impact of injuries and illnesses on American workers?
Americans employed in private industry suffered more than 2.8 million non-fatal workplace injuries and illnesses in 2022, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS). Both injuries (2.3 million, up 4.5%) and illnesses (460,700, up 26.1%) increased from 2021 to 2022. In 2022, the most common causes of workplace injury or illness were overexertion and bodily reaction, contact with objects and equipment, falls, slips, and trips, as well as exposure to harmful substances or environments.How did the pandemic affect workplace injuries and illnesses?The COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 led to increased workplace illnesses — particularly respiratory sickness. In 2019, private employers reported 126,800 incidents of workplace illnesses to BLS, about 10% of which were respiratory. In 2020, workplace illnesses spiked to 544,600, over 428,700 of which (78.7% of illnesses) were respiratory. After declining slightly in 2021, respiratory illness cases increased to 365,000 (79.2% of illnesses) in 2022, an annual increase of 35.4%.In 2021 and 2022 combined, BLS reports that COVID was the underlying cause of 560,750 total cases of days spent away from work. Grocery store employees, for example, had respiratory illness rates increase from 66.8 to 190.4 per 10,000 full-time employees.
Jan 3, 2024Who experiences anxiety and depression in the US?
Nearly 23% of American adults faced mental illness issues in 2021, according to data from the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). Young adults, adults aged 18–25, women, and unemployed and part-time workers reported higher rates of mental illness over the past year in 2021 compared to other groups in SAMHSA’s survey. SAMHSA runs an annual survey that collects mental health information and predicts the prevalence of mental health conditions using a statistical model. The survey includes phobias, psychotic symptoms, anorexia, and bulimia, as well as obsessive-compulsive, post-traumatic stress, adjustment, bipolar, and panic disorders.How does current American mental health compare to pre-COVID-19?SAMHSA estimates of Americans with mental illness were trending upward before the pandemic, from 18% in 2008 to 21% in 2019. Young people had the largest percentage point increase during that period, with the rate among adults ages 18–25 rising from 19% to 29%.During the pandemic in 2021, the rate of young people (18–25) with mental illness rose to 33.7%. However, SAMHSA notes that 2021’s survey results aren’t comparable to previous years due to changes in data collection methodology.Percentage of adults with mental illnessAfter SAMHSA implemented new data collection methods in 2021, it reported that 23% of adults dealt with mental illness. Over one-third of adults below the age of 25 had a mental illness in 2021.
Nov 27, 2023What are the top causes of death for people 65 and older?
The top two causes of death for senior citizens in 2022 were heart diseases and cancer at 1,015.9 and 810.2 deaths per 100,000 people, respectively, according to provisional data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).COVID-19 (262 per 100,000 people), cerebrovascular diseases (255.2 per 100,000), and chronic lower respiratory diseases (255.2 per 100,000) followed as the next most common causes of death for seniors. These were also the leading causes of death in 2021 — the most recent year with final data.
Jan 17, 2024Who lacks health insurance in the US?
In 2014 — after most of the Affordable Care Act went into effect — the share of people without health insurance dropped from 14.5% to 11.7%. Since then, the share of people in the United States without health insurance has reached as low as 8.6% (in both 2016 and 2021), but gaps in coverage persist among certain racial and ethnic groups.Disparities in coverage are influenced by a variety of factors, such as differences in income, occupation, poverty levels, location, and age. Federal and state policies can also affect access to healthcare.By understanding these differences in coverage, healthcare professionals may find ways to make healthcare more accessible and equitable for all people, no matter their race, gender, ethnicity or age.What races have the lowest healthcare coverage?As of 2021, 8.6% of Americans are uninsured, down from 15.1% a decade prior. But when you look at uninsured rates by race and ethnicity, there is a wide range in coverage. Overall, the uninsured rate was lowest for non-Hispanic white people at 5.7% in 2021, while it was highest at 18.8% of non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaska Native individuals. Hispanic or Latino people also had one of the highest uninsured rates in the country at 17.7%.
Apr 12, 2023Which states have the highest maternal mortality rates?
Maternal mortality, or the death of a woman while pregnant or within 42 days of the end of pregnancy, is considered a key indicator of maternal health today. Eighty percent of all pregnancy-related deaths in the US are preventable, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Maternal mortality rates vary significantly from state to state. Mississippi had the highest maternal mortality rate in 2021, with 82.5 deaths per 100,000 births, followed by New Mexico (79.5 deaths per 100,000 births). In contrast, California had the lowest maternal mortality rate (9.7), and Massachusetts had the second-lowest (17.4).But data is not available for all states. For confidentiality reasons, the CDC suppressed maternal death counts for states with nine or fewer deaths, resulting in data suppression for 17 states.
May 15, 2023What are the leading causes of death by age?
Heart disease, cancer, and COVID-19 were responsible for nearly half of the deaths nationwide in 2021. Still, the age-adjusted death rates of both cancer and heart disease have declined over the last 20 years.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that 3.46 million people died in the US in 2021. Overall, 10 causes accounted for 74.5% of deaths that year.For comparison, the top 10 causes in 1999 accounted for approximately 80% of all deaths.
Oct 6, 2023The CDC says teen mental health is in crisis. Who is most at risk?
Mental health among high school teens is worsening, according to a recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Between 2019 and 2021, the percentage of high school teens experiencing persistent feelings of hopelessness and sadness increased from 37% to 42%, continuing a decade-long trend of declining mental health among young people.But 2021 data shows a stark disparity in mental health for teenage girls and LGBQ+ students. Fifty-seven percent of female students and 69% of LGBQ+ students experienced persistent sadness or hopelessness. About 13% of female students and more than 20% of LGBQ+ students in 2021 had attempted suicide in the past year.Unstable housing and other social and economic factors can significantly impact teens' health and wellbeing. Three percent of students experienced unstable housing in 2021, but a higher percentage of Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander, American Indian or Alaska Native and Black students had unstable housing, compared to Asian, Hispanic, and white students. LGBQ+ students were also more likely to have unstable housing than their peers.What do teen mental health trends show?Compared to years prior, high school students reported higher rates of nearly all indicators of poor mental health during the second year of the pandemic. Of all racial and ethnic groups, multiracial students most commonly reported having poor mental health.
Mar 29, 2023Eight ways the pandemic affected American life in data
During the pandemic, the number of jobs available grew, the number of people getting educated fell, and spending on things such as recreation and hotel stays plummeted. Here are eight charts showing some of the ways the pandemic reverberated in different realms of American life.
Jul 12, 2022How does the original $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act compare to the $2.2 trillion CARES Act?
H.R.1319, also known as the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021, narrowly passed the Senate with an amendment on March 6 and was approved by the House on March 10. The bill as originally passed by the House on February 27, 2021 contained a host of relief packages to address COVID-19's impact on “the economy, public health, state and local governments, individuals, and businesses.” The original bill from the end of February also included several provisions less directly tied to the pandemic, such as raising the federal minimum wage to $15 an hour by 2025 and increased Medicaid coverage. While not all provisions made it through the Senate—the minimum wage amendment was removed and certain spending amounts were slightly reduced—many of the provisions in the original House bill remain.The Congressional Budget Office (CBO), a nonpartisan agency dedicated to estimating costs for legislation, stated that the version of the bill originally passed in the House at the end of February would cost $1.2 trillion in fiscal year 2021 and a total of $1.9 trillion over the next 10 years. The CBO has not yet released revised cost estimates for the Senate version of the bill, which eliminated the minimum wage provision, cut spending on stimulus checks, unemployment benefits, and several other items while leaving other large expenditures intact, such as assistance to state and local governments. This article explores the spending breakdown in the original $1.9 trillion version of the bill as passed by the House on February 27, 2021, though this total cost estimate and specific components may change as estimates are revised to incorporate amendments to the bill, such as the elimination of the minimum wage provision.The American Rescue Plan Act is the third major pandemic stimulus package, following the $2.2 trillion CARES act passed in March of last year and the $900 billion plan signed into law in December.What’s in the original $1.9 trillion American Rescue Plan Act?This new bill focuses on different areas of spending than the CARES Act. Over 60% of the CARES Act funding supported four major focuses: $500 billion to support businesses through the Treasury, $350 billion to support small businesses through the Paycheck Protection Program and other initiatives, $300 billion for stimulus checks, and $250 billion for unemployment insurance.
May 17, 2021How did the COVID-19 pandemic change America, according to new Census data?
The American Community Survey (ACS), administered by the US Census Bureau, is the most comprehensive annual survey about the country’s population and housing information. It is used to distribute $675 billion every year, from allocating school lunch funds to planning emergency service coverage.Due to low response rates, the 2020 ACS data was withheld. As a result, the 2021 data release is the first version of the survey showing American economic, household, and social characteristics since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.The data confirms big shifts in American society: commuting changed drastically, the housing market continued to tighten, and older Americans were hit disproportionately hard by the pandemic.How has the increase in people working from home changed commuting patterns?Between 2019 and 2021, the percentage of workers working from home more than tripled from 5.7% to 17.9%. This included workers who went into an office for less than half of their working week. The percentage of workers using public transportation to commute was halved, dropping from 5% to 2.5% over the same time period. Driving alone continued to be the most common method of transportation to work.
Sep 21, 2022Are fentanyl overdose deaths rising in the US?
In 2022, 73,654 people died from a fentanyl overdose in the US, more than double the amount of deaths from three years prior in 2019. Fentanyl deaths have increased every year for the past decade, but 2022 marked the smallest year-over-year growth at 4.3%.
Sep 27, 2023The state of healthcare at the end of 2020
Even before the coronavirus pandemic surged across the country, government data revealed that healthcare was getting costlier, and not always with improved results.
Dec 14, 2020What is postpartum depression? Who’s most at-risk of developing it?
A slew of developments in women's healthcare emerged in 2023: In May, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved the first-of-its-kind drug to treat menopausal hot flashes. In June, it approved the first over-the-counter birth control pill.The latest development is zuranolone, brand name Zurzuvae. On August 4, 2023, the FDA approved Zurzuvae, the first pill specifically for postpartum depression. Before then, healthcare professionals had to administer intravenous injections for this potentially life-threatening condition.These announcements in women’s health also come at a time when states are considering the legality of abortion access — including bans on the abortion pill — since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade on June 24, 2022.What is postpartum depression?The FDA defines postpartum depression as a major depressive episode that occurs after a woman gives birth. The onset is usually within the first month after childbirth, but women remain at risk for up to a year afterwards. And although “postpartum” refers to the time after giving birth, this type of depression can also begin in the later stages of pregnancy.Perinatal depression encompasses minor or major episodes of depression anytime during pregnancy or up to a year after giving birth.What are the symptoms of postpartum depression?Symptoms include feelings of sadness, guilt, and worthlessness. In extreme cases, it can include thoughts of self-harm, or harming one's child.The Office on Women's Health (OWH) differentiates postpartum depression from the “baby blues,” is a term people use to describe mood swings and feelings of worry and anxiety that are common after giving birth. Baby blues typically resolve on their own within two weeks, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Postpartum depression is more serious and longer-lasting, and should be treated by a healthcare professional.The OWH advises that women who feel emotionless or sad all or most of the time for longer than two weeks, either during or after pregnancy, should reach out for help. Postpartum depression can last months or years after giving birth.How long can postpartum depression last?According to the CDC, postpartum depression can last months or years after giving birth. If left untreated, postpartum depression can interfere with a mother’s ability to bond with and care for her baby. It not only affects her health — it can harm the infant's physical and emotional growth.How many women get postpartum depression?A 2018 CDC survey across 31 sites included in its Pregnancy Risk Assessment Monitoring System found that an average of 13.2% of women experienced postpartum depressive symptoms after giving birth. The data, collected from 29 states, New York City, and Puerto Rico, showed variance in the prevalence of postpartum depression, from 9.7% of women in Illinois to 23.5% in Mississippi. The average across all locations was 13%.
Sep 26, 2023What’s the breast cancer rate for women under 40?
In 2020, 11,368 women between ages 20 and 39 were diagnosed with breast cancer in the US, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That’s a rate of 27 per 100,000 people in the age group.Overall, there were 239,612 new cases of female breast cancer in 2020, down from 270,395 in 2019. However, the CDC cautions that the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted cancer screenings, which may, in part, explain the drop in cases in 2020.
Oct 24, 2023Queer teens are experiencing worsening mental health according to CDC data.
The mental health of high school students, particularly teenage girls and LGBQ+ youth, worsened from 2011 to 2021. This comes from a recent Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report, which found that nearly 70% of LGBQ+ high school students in 2021 had experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in the past year. More than 50% reported poor mental health during the past 30 days. These numbers are far worse compared to their heterosexual peers (22% of whom reported experiencing poor mental health during the same period).The report also says creating a safe, inclusive learning environment is essential to improving the well-being of LGBQ+ youth. Let's dig into the numbers to learn more about mental health trends.How does teen mental health differ based on sexual identity?The 2019 Youth Risk Behavior Survey found a higher rate of poor mental health indicators such as bullying, drug use, and suicide attempts among LGBQ+ teens.That year, high school students who identified as anything besides heterosexual experienced higher rates of bullying on school grounds.
Mar 29, 2023What role do schools play in addressing youth mental health?
Children and teens across America are struggling with their mental health, and the problem, including the amount of youth with suicidal thoughts and behaviors, is getting worse, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Twenty-eight percent of students experienced persistent feelings of sadness or hopelessness in 2011. In 2021, 42% of students reported these feelings. The percentage of male students experiencing these feelings increased from 21% in 2011 to 29% in 2021. For female students, percentages rose from 36% in 2011 to 57% in 2021, according to a 2021 CDC survey.Multiple government agencies have identified schools as important places of support when it comes to providing mental health resources to children and teens. So what resources do they offer, how equipped are they to offer this support, and what’s stopping them from doing more?Do schools need to address student mental health?In 2022, 76% of public schools reported an increase in staff “expressing concerns about student depression, anxiety, and other disturbances since the start of the pandemic.”This is according to a survey done in April 2022 by the Institute of Education Sciences, which conducts research on behalf of the Department of Education. The study represents a national sample of elementary, middle, high, and combined-grade public schools.The survey found that 69% of all public schools also reported an increase in the percentage of students seeking mental health services from school since the start of the pandemic. Schools in the suburbs and schools with more than 1,000 students reported the largest increases at 77% and 87%, respectively.How do schools address mental health?The most common mental health services provided by schools are individual-based intervention (84% of public schools), case management (69%), external referrals (66%), group-based intervention (56%), and a needs assessment (53%).Schools expanded mental health support efforts during the pandemic, the most common action taken being to encourage staff to address student social and emotional well-being and mental health. Schools also offered professional development opportunities to teachers on how to help struggling students.
Aug 10, 2023How does America care for the elderly?
Caring for older adults is a growing concern in the US, where the population is aging and healthcare costs for seniors are rising.There are several choices available to those seeking long-term care for older adults, according to the Administration on Aging:At-home care with an eldercare professionalAt-home care from family and friendsNursing homesAssisted livingBoard and care homesContinuing care retirement communitiesIn-home care (with a nurse, aide, or other provider)Community services (adult day care centers, transportation services, etc.)How many senior citizens will there be in 2030?According to the Census Bureau, the number of Americans ages 65 or older is projected to increase from 58 million (17% of the population) in 2022 to 73 million (21% of the population) by 2030. As the population ages, more people enroll in Social Security and Medicare programs. The federal government also projects increases in the number of Americans with certain diseases or impairments, such as Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Nov 10, 2023Local parks can improve community health, but most Americans lack access
Local governments use parks to advance community environmental and economic goals, and promote equity. And of course, they bring improved physical and mental health benefits for residents. However, access to publicly-run local parks is patchy across the country.How do local parks benefit health?Parks access encourages the surrounding community to be more active. Having a park within walking distance in addition to supporting infrastructure such as sidewalks or crosswalks can help people reach the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention-recommended amount of physical activity. This can also improve mental health, reduce the risk of disease, and strengthen bones and muscles.How many people have access to parks?39% of Americans live within a half mile of a park.
Mar 27, 2023Are you getting enough sleep?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), over a third of US adults report getting less than the recommended amount of sleep. The same is true of children, and the number of teens is even higher: three-quarters of teens report not sleeping enough.Per the CDC, sleep is a critical component of overall health, and insufficient sleep is linked to obesity, depression, type 2 diabetes, and heart disease. Poor sleep can also cause car crashes — the CDC estimates that more than 6,000 fatal crashes a year involve a drowsy driver.What is the recommended amount of sleep?The recommended amount of sleep is dictated by developmental stages and physiological needs — it primarily depends on age.The CDC recommends 7 or more hours for adults ages 18–60, while teenagers should aim for 8–10 hours.For younger children the requirements increase, with preschoolers needing 10–13 hours and toddlers needing 11–14, including naps.Newborns and infants need the most sleep, from 12–17 hours depending on age.
May 7, 2024US suicide rate trends and states with the highest suicide rates
In 2021, 12.3 million American adults seriously thought about suicide, 3.5 million planned a suicide attempt, and 1.7 million attempted suicide. Suicide was the second leading cause of death for people ages 10–14 and 20–34 in 2021.The National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH) defines “suicidal ideation” as “thinking about, considering or planning suicide.”The suicide rate in the United States has steadily increased over the past 20 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Suicide was responsible for 48,183 deaths in 2021 — this represents a 36% increase in the national suicide rate since 2000. According to preliminary data, the national suicide rate increased an additional 2% between 2021 and 2022.Which ages have suicide as a top cause of death?Suicide was among the top nine leading causes of death for people ages 10–64 in 2021.
Nov 29, 2023How many people get the flu?
During the 2022–2023 US flu season, an estimated 31.91 million people experienced symptoms of the influenza virus.After two years of unusually low levels of recorded flu activity, cases jumped from 2022 to 2023, according to preliminary Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates.When is the flu season?The CDC determines the start and end of flu season by monitoring flu activity — illnesses, medical visits, and hospitalizations — through its influenza surveillance systems. Most seasons begin in October, peak between December and February, and continue through May.The 2022–23 flu season began in October 2022 and continued until early September 2023, according to the CDC. Nearly 85% of cases during this season were recorded between October and January based on data from the National Center for Health Statistics.For context, flu activity during the 2021-2022 season began to increase in November and remained elevated until mid-June.Why were flu cases so low during the pandemic?The CDC attributed low flu activity during the pandemic to COVID-19 mitigation efforts that are also effective in slowing the spread of the flu, such as the use of face masks, staying home, reduced travel, school closures, and more. As a result, estimates of those impacted by the 2021–22 flu season are as much as 90% lower than in past years.The CDC described flu activity in the 2020–21 flu season as “unusually low.” It was the lowest flu activity since the CDC first began collecting data in 1997.Flu cases rebounded during the 2021–22 season compared to the previous year, but were the second lowest in over a decade.How many people die from the flu?The CDC estimates that between 12,000 and 52,000 people died of the flu annually between 2010 and 2020. The 2017–18 flu season had more related deaths than any other season: an estimated 52,000.According to CDC data, the flu led to 15 million medical visits, over 360,000 hospitalizations, and 21,410 deaths during the 2022–23 season.
Dec 6, 2023How many Americans have been diagnosed with HIV?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 1.1 million people in the US were living with a diagnosed HIV infection at the end of 2021.HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus, is a disease spread through sex that weakens a person’s immune system, compromising their health by attacking the white blood cells that are critical to fighting off disease. When HIV reaches its most advanced stage, it causes AIDS — acquired immunodeficiency syndrome — which leads to progressive failure of the immune system and is incurable, though not all people with HIV develop AIDS.Early HIV diagnosis is one pillar of the federal government’s plan to end the HIV epidemic.HIV diagnoses over timeIn 2021, 35,769 people were newly diagnosed with HIV. That’s a 7% decrease from 2017 but an 18% increase over 2020. The Department of Health and Human Services attributes the increase to increased testing, as people who delayed healthcare in 2020 because of the COVID-19 pandemic returned to the doctor.The federal government’s goal is to reduce annual new infections to 9,300 by 2025, and then to 3,000 by 2030.
Nov 10, 2023Is autism increasing?
Data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) suggests that autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is becoming more commonly identified in children. According to a 2020 study of 11 surveillance sites in the CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network, one in 36 children (2.8%) were estimated to have autism spectrum disorder, up from one in 44 (2.3%) in 2018, and one in 150 (0.7%) children in 2000.What is autism spectrum disorder?The CDC defines ASD as “a developmental disability that can cause significant social, communication and behavioral challenges.” (ASD is caused by neurological differences, which can be caused by known genetic conditions along with other not-yet-identified factors — or most likely, a combination). Other influences might include older parents, a difficult birth, infections during pregnancy, and environmental impacts.People with autism may learn, behave, and interact differently than others. Some are nonverbal and need assistance with daily living; others have advanced conversational abilities and live independently with little or no support. According to the CDC, ASD begins before the age of three and is generally lifelong, though symptoms may improve as people age.There is no medical test for autism, and it can be difficult to diagnose. It’s not uncommon for people to receive diagnoses in adolescence or adulthood. The CDC cautions that the symptoms of ASD also appear in people without autism.Prevalence of ASD over timeAs identification methods have improved, autism spectrum disorder diagnoses have become more frequent in children, according to the CDC’s Autism and Developmental Disabilities Monitoring Network (ADDMN), which began researching autism in 2000. The latest ADDMN surveillance data — which only includes children from 11 sites, and is not necessarily representative of the entire United States — reports that 2.8% of monitored children were diagnosed with autism in 2020, compared to 1.5% in 2010, and 0.7% in 2000.
Nov 3, 2023How many people in the United States suffer from allergies?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that over 50 million people in America experience allergies every year, making it the sixth-most common cause of chronic illness in the country. According to the CDC’s National Health Interview Survey, over one-quarter of US adults (25.7%) and nearly one in five US children (18.9%) suffer from seasonal allergies, while 6.2% of adults and 5.8% of children suffer from food allergies.
Oct 9, 2023How does the US provide mental health treatment?
More than one in five adults in the US — about 58 million people — lives with a mental illness. In 2021, 47.2% of them received some form of mental health service.Women were more likely to get care: 51.7% of women with a mental illness received care, compared to 40% of men, according to the National Institute of Mental Health. And while younger people had higher rates of mental illness, they were less likely to receive care than older adults.Among different races and ethnicities, Asian adults were the least likely to receive mental health services. In 2021, 25.4% received care, less than half the rate of white (52.4%) and multi-race adults (52.2%).
Nov 17, 2023Heart disease causes one in five American deaths
In 2021, the heart disease mortality rate in the US was 209.6 deaths per 100,000 people, meaning heart disease caused about one in every five deaths. Heart disease has been the leading cause of death in the US since 1950.“Heart disease” is a broad label for various heart conditions, including coronary artery disease (CAD), the most common type. CAD killed 375,476 Americans in 2021.How many people in the US have heart disease?In 2019, 5.5% of American adults reported having a heart disease diagnosis, according to the National Center for Health Statistics.
Jan 4, 2024Is carbon monoxide still a problem in the US?
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hundreds of people die each year from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning in the US, and thousands more are hospitalized. Between 2016 and 2020, Alaska, Nebraska, and West Virginia had the highest death rates from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning.How many people die from carbon monoxide poisoning each year?In 2022, 1,244 people in the US died from carbon monoxide poisoning, according to provisional CDC data. Of those deaths, 624 were accidental and 579 were suicides. There were also 511 deaths where carbon monoxide was involved, but wasn't the actual cause of death; most of those were fire-related.Are more people dying from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning?More people died from accidental carbon monoxide poisoning in 2022 than any year since at least 1999. The number of deaths increased 85.7% from 2012 to 2022.With the frequency of natural disasters increasing, the Federal Emergency Management Agency notes that many Americans now use portable generators due to power outages — despite “serious health and safety concerns,” including carbon monoxide poisoning. The Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) concludes that portable generators are associated with 40% of carbon monoxide deaths related to consumer products since 2009.
Nov 22, 2023How COVID-19 is changing primary voting—and the November election
The coronavirus outbreak has disrupted the 2020 election calendar, prompting states to shift their presidential primaries and other votes.These changes also include shifts away from the traditional visiting of polling places. Primary elections do not have the same rate of turnout as general elections, but this primary season may still provide insight into how Americans will vote in November’s election.Tuesday, April 28 should have hosted six primaries: Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, New York, Pennsylvania, and Rhode Island. Instead, the only state that voted was Ohio. After cancelling its March 17 in-person primary, Ohio conducted its election almost entirely by mail. Gov. Mike DeWine initially proposed June 2 as a substitute, but the Ohio legislature moved the official primary date to April 28. Ballots postmarked by April 27 will be counted.New York state cancelled its presidential primary entirely. Over a dozen other states are weighing how to proceed with their primaries.How states shifted their primaries after the onset of COVID-19As of April 27, 15 states and territories have either delayed their primaries or switched to a vote-by-mail system with extended deadlines.
Apr 30, 2020What is the state of American eyesight?
Over 8.18 million people in the US reported having a vision disability in 2022, according to the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. They are either blind or have difficulty seeing even when wearing glasses.Is eyesight in America getting worse?Nearly 1.8 million more Americans reported a vision disability in 2022 versus 2010 — a 28% increase, more than three times the rate at which the US population grew over the same period (8%). During that time, the share of the population with vision difficulty increased from 2.1% to 2.5%. Americans over the age of 65 accounted for 40.8% of vision disabilities in 2022, while those ages 35 to 64 accounted for a similar proportion (38.4%).
Dec 20, 2023What is the crude death rate and how is it calculated?
The crude death rate measures the number of deaths that occur within a population over a specified period of time — typically one year — per thousand people. This allows researchers to calculate an overview of the mortality of a population.The crude death rate does not account for the age or the sex of the deceased. This metric is considered “crude” because it only measures the deaths in a specific area and does not account for a population’s demographic differences.Crude death rate formulaThe crude death rate is equal to the number of deaths divided by the total population multiplied by 1,000. It is calculated as follows:(Total population) / (Number of deaths) x 1,000 = crude death rateThe US crude death rateResearchers consider the nation’s crude death rate to be an indicator of overall mortality trends. They use the rate to analyze changes to the population's overall health and medical advancements. The crude death rate can also offer insight into healthcare infrastructure and public health initiatives.The crude death rate by itself can’t offer a comprehensive or detailed view of the health of the US population. In order to capture the nuances in mortality patterns, age, and cause-specific death rates are needed to understand the health of the country fully.Crude death rate US 2023According to the CDC’s most recent data, the nation’s crude death rate was 964.1 for the first three months of 2023. This number was lower than the crude death rate of 1113.9 in Q1 2022.Furthermore, the crude death rate for the one-year period ending the first quarter of 2023 was 945.8. This is lower than the crude death rate of 1043.1 in Q1 2022.
Mar 21, 2024Who is eligible for the second COVID-19 booster?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) announced in March 2022 that adults over 50 years old and immunocompromised individuals were eligible to receive their second COVID-19 booster.Through July 2022, 21.2 million people ages 50 and up received a second booster. This represents about 30% of the 50 or older population in the US. About 1.3 million adults younger than 50 years old also received a second booster.
Aug 8, 2022How many abortions occur in the US?
In 2021, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a total of 625,978 abortions from 46 states and Washington, DC. This is a 0.9% increase from 2020, but a 10.5% drop since 2012.
Jan 26, 2024How did STDs change during the pandemic?
New data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that cases of sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), increasingly called sexually transmitted infections or STIs, decreased at the beginning of the pandemic. By the end of 2020, however, most STDs had resurged. Gonorrhea, syphilis, and congenital syphilis cases were higher than in 2019, while chlamydia cases decreased.Data from 2021 shows that primary and secondary syphilis continued to increase from pre-pandemic years. Reported cases of chlamydia have steadily increased since 1984 until 2020 — when they decreased by nearly 13% from the year prior. Cases of syphilis among newborns (congenital syphilis) increased by nearly 15% from 2019 and most notably by 235% from 2016.
Aug 30, 2023How many people have long COVID?
The Census Bureau estimated that 5.3% of all adults in the US were experiencing long COVID in late October 2023. Of the approximately 134 million adults who have had COVID-19, 9.5% were experiencing long COVID in late October 2023.Overall, the Census Bureau estimated that 25.6% of US adults who’ve contracted COVID-19 had experienced long COVID at some point.
Dec 4, 2023How common are STDs in the US?
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) 2021 STD Surveillance Report indicates cases of sexually transmitted diseases decreased during the early months of the pandemic, but most resurged by the end of the year and into 2021.The CDC report also highlighted how STD rates (number of infections per 100,000 people) vary by state, age, and sex. Here's a deeper look at that data.What are STDs?STDs, or sexually transmitted diseases, are infections that are primarily spread through sexual contact. These diseases affect both men and women and are caused by bacteria, viruses, parasites, or other microorganisms. STDs can be transmitted through vaginal, anal, or oral sex, or from mother to child during childbirth or breastfeeding.STDs are also commonly referred to as STIs (sexually transmitted infections).
Sep 1, 2023What portion of women use birth control?
Around 65% of women aged 15-49 use birth control, according to a survey conducted from 2017 to 2019 by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Contraceptive use rates are relatively constant across women of different education levels and races but vary more by age. About 39% of women in the 15-19 age group used contraception, but this rate nearly doubled to about 75% among women in their 40s.The CDC study only surveyed the contraceptive use of females who identified as women. The type of contraception used by individuals is based on the person’s sex, not their gender. The survey doesn’t account for transgender individuals.
Jul 13, 2023How prepared is the US for COVID-19 and who's at risk?
How prepared are our hospitals?While there is no perfect measure of how the healthcare system is equipped to deal with an influx of novel coronavirus patients, it’s important to consider how many hospital beds are in the US. As of 2018, the US had approximately 924,000 hospital beds, or 2.8 beds per 1,000 people. This is less than half the number of hospital beds per person that there was in 1980.At the last count in 2015, approximately 65.5% of all hospital beds are already occupied at any one time.
Mar 11, 2020How has COVID-19 impacted air travel?
The coronavirus pandemic has hit the air travel industry hard. The number of monthly passengers on US-based airlines dropped 96% from 67.8 million in February to 3 million in April according to the Bureau of Transportation Statistics (BTS). Though that number has rebounded somewhat, September passenger levels were still down by 65% compared to September 2019, according to preliminary BTS data. As the nation grapples with a record number of coronavirus infections heading into the holiday season, the industry faces another period of uncertainty.Government data shows the industry has partially recovered from the early days of the pandemic but remains behind previous years.
Nov 19, 202048% of Americans are feeling down, depressed, or hopeless during the COVID-19 pandemic
In addition to affecting health and employment, the COVID-19 pandemic has impacted the mental and emotional state of Americans. More recent events, including the death of George Floyd and weeks of nationwide protests against police brutality and racism, have also amplified stressors for mental health.Beginning on April 23, 2020, the US Census Bureau started conducting its Household Pulse Survey to study “how people’s lives have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic.”The Census Bureau sent questionnaires to an average of 1.24 million households every week in the first eight weeks of the survey. About 7.5% of those households responded.The four questions related to depression and anxiety offer up-to-date information on Americans’ mental health nationwide, in individual states, and amongst various demographic groups. The most recent data released was collected between June 18 and 23.The results show high levels of anxiety and depression compared with a similar annual survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in 2018 (it should be noted that the CDC survey asked a different question than the Census Bureau).The numbers further indicate continuing increases in rates of anxiety and depression among Americans over the past several weeks. A previous version of this article discussed the data collected between May 21 and 26, prior to the death of George Floyd. Compared to these numbers, even more Americans are experiencing anxiety and depression than before.When it comes to anxiety, 60% of American adults experienced “frequency of feeling nervous, anxious, or on edge” in the last seven days, an increase of 5 percentage points since May. Over a quarter of all respondents reported feeling that way more than half of the days in the last week.
Sep 22, 2020Which states have the highest cancer rates?
In 2019, Kentucky had the nation’s highest age-adjusted cancer incidence rate at 516.6 per 100,000 people, followed by Iowa at 501.8 and Louisiana at 498.8. Nevada had the lowest rate at 351.5 per 100,000 people, then Arizona at 379.5, and New Mexico at 381.0.According to 2019 Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, the nationwide cancer rate was 450.8 per 100,000 people.
Apr 22, 2024Why are states using doulas to improve birth outcomes and maternal health?
To help solve the crisis in maternal mortality among Black, brown, and low-income communities, eight states and Washington, DC are turning to doula care and using Medicaid money to fund it. Two more states will join them in 2023. And a new federal program this year is expanding the use of doulas in areas with high maternal and infant mortality rates.Black mothers are almost three times as likely as white mothers to have a life-threatening delivery complication. They are eight times more likely to die from a pregnancy-related issue. There are also racial gaps in breastfeeding and Cesarean sections. And more Black babies are born preterm or at low birth weights, which are major factors in infant mortality. A growing body of research points to doula care as a cost-saving and effective intervention for infant and maternal health.
Nov 8, 2022How common are traumatic brain injuries in the US?
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) causes about 30% of all injury deaths in the United States. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) defines TBI as an injury that affects how the brain works.CDC data demonstrates the detrimental scale of traumatic brain injuries on Americans. In 2021, the CDC categorized 69,473 deaths in the US as TBI-related.
Oct 3, 2023What is naloxone and how is it used in the US?
In 2022, opioids were responsible for 81,607 overdose deaths in the US — up from 46,802 in 2018, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). During the same period, deaths from fentanyl and other synthetic opioids rose from 31,335 to 73,654.
Oct 17, 2023Are fewer kids playing sports?
The percentage of kids playing sports after school or on weekends decreased by nearly five percentage points in five years, according to data from the National Survey of Children’s Health (NSCH).According to the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), playing sports can improve a child’s physical and mental health. This includes improvements in bone health, cardiorespiratory and muscular health, and a reduced risk of depression. Sports can also help kids develop confidence and self-esteem, as well as social and interpersonal skills.How many kids play sports?The NSCH found that an estimated 53.8% of children aged 6 to 17 played on a sports team or took lessons as of 2022 — down from 58.4% in 2017, the first year the survey asked about sports participation
Mar 21, 2024What is the US infant mortality rate?
In 2022, 5.60 out of every 1,000 infants in the US passed away before their first birthday, marginally more than 2021’s 5.44 out of 1,000. This is known as the US infant mortality rate, and it’s one of the markers officials use to measure American society's health.The rate has improved in recent decades thanks to several advancements — dropping 85% between 1940 and 2005, thanks to advances in medicine, prenatal care, and improved sanitation —but disparities in infant mortality rates across demographic groups persist.
Nov 15, 2023Poverty grew in 2020 as Americans lost income and health insurance.
Americans felt the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in their pocketbooks last year, according to data recently released by the US Census Bureau.The poverty rate in the US increased in 2020 for the first time in six years, according to data recently released by the US Census Bureau. Median household income dropped and fewer Americans had health insurance in 2020.The Census data comes from the latest Current Population Survey, which is done in coordination with the Bureau of Labor Statistics. The survey was conducted between February and April of 2021, but respondents were asked about their 2020 situation.Median household income decreased 2.9%, dropping from $69,560 in 2019 to $67,521 in 2020. Regionally, median household incomes dropped by 3.2% in the Midwest and 2.3% in the South and West, according to the Census Bureau [annotation-d32b336d-739e-4c91-823f-5608b7403124].
Sep 29, 2021How many police officers die in the line of duty?
In 2022, 118 officers died in the line of duty, according to the FBI’s Law Enforcement Officers Killed and Assaulted database. Sixty of those officers were killed feloniously, primarily by firearms. However, law enforcement does not rank in the top 10 deadliest professions in the US, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS).The FBI collects data from US law enforcement agencies on officer assaults and deaths. The data is categorized into two types: felonious, meaning purposefully killed, and accidental. The collected information includes deaths occurring on the job but doesn’t include work-related exposures that may lead to illness or death. The data excludes COVID-19, 9/11-related illnesses, and suicides.Officer deaths since the 1990sThere were eleven fewer officer deaths in 2022 than in 2021. Officer deaths have increased since 1996, when the FBI began collecting data. However, there were fewer officers killed in 2022 than in 1997.
Nov 30, 2023Approximately 8% of the population — 26.1 million — lacked health insurance in 2019
New data from the Census Bureau reveals that 92% of people in the US had health insurance coverage for all or part of 2019, leaving 8%, or 26.1 million, without any coverage throughout the year.The data comes from the annual Census report on Health Insurance Coverage in the United States, a compilation of findings from the Current Population Survey (CPS) and the American Community Survey (ACS).Health insurance coverage by type, 2019
Nov 11, 2020How many pedestrians and cyclists are killed by cars in America?
A record number of pedestrians and cyclists were killed in car crashes in 2020, according to the most recent data available from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.This historical high occurred along with increases in fatal car crashes overall, despite a decrease in vehicle miles traveled for the year.Making streets more accessible to walking and biking can improve community health, increase interactions between residents, and improve local economies. However, without infrastructure to support pedestrians and cyclists alongside drivers, walking and biking can be dangerous.In the most recent National Household Transportation Survey, 10.5% of trips in the US were walked, and 1% were biked. However, pedestrian deaths made up around 16% of traffic crash victims, and cyclists made up 2.4% of traffic crash victims.How do pedestrian and cyclist deaths compare over time?In 2020, 6,516 pedestrians died in traffic crashes, and 938 cyclists died. Those figures were about a 4% increase in pedestrian and cyclist deaths from the previous year. This increase occurred despite a 12% decrease in vehicle miles traveled in 2020.
Apr 4, 2023What does the Environmental Protection Agency do?
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) is an independent executive branch agency responsible for safeguarding human health and protecting the environment by ensuring that people in the US have access to clean air, land, and water. Its functions include developing and enforcing regulations based on laws passed by Congress, providing grants to support environmental programs and projects, researches environmental issues, and fostering partnerships with businesses, nonprofits, and state and local governments. It was established in 1970.
Updates annuallyLesbian, gay, and bisexual Americans face more substance abuse challenges than straight Americans.
Lesbian, gay, and bisexual Americans aged 18 or older were more likely than straight men and women to have a substance use disorder, according to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA). The 2021 and 2022 National Surveys on Drug Use and Health showed that nearly one-third of bisexual men, bisexual women, and gay men and one-quarter of lesbians, had a substance use disorder in the past year.What is a substance use disorder?SAMHSA defines substance use disorders as impairments caused by the recurrent use of alcohol, drugs, or both. “Impairments” can include health problems, disabilities, and failure to meet major responsibilities at work, school, or home.
Nov 15, 2023How many Americans have Alzheimer's disease and dementia?
Alzheimer’s disease is a neurodegenerative disease and type of dementia characterized by memory loss, poor judgment and decision-making, and a decreasing ability to complete familiar tasks. There are four stages of the disease, each with progressing levels of cognitive decline.Even as long as a decade before symptoms appear, a person can have preclinical Alzheimer’s, in which plaques begin accumulating in the brain, but cognitive changes aren’t apparent.A person with Alzheimer’s in the second and third stages may repeat questions, get lost, or have difficulty reading, writing, or thinking logically. Severe or late-stage Alzheimer’s involves an inability to communicate, a loss of awareness of surroundings, and a loss of control over bodily functions.When do most people get Alzheimer’s disease?For more than 90% of those who have Alzheimer’s in the United States, disease onset occurs in their mid-60s. This is referred to as late-onset Alzheimer’s.Early-onset Alzheimer’s can begin in a person’s 30s. It is rare and accounts for less than 10% of Alzheimer’s cases, according to the National Institute on Aging. About 200,000 people in the US have early-onset Alzheimer’s disease.Older age increases the risk of Alzheimer’s. After age 65, the number of people with Alzheimer's doubles every five years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). For those 85 and older, the National Institute on Aging estimates that about one-third could have Alzheimer’s disease.Are certain races more likely to get Alzheimer’s disease?In addition to the disease disproportionately impacting women, Hispanic and African American populations have a higher likelihood of being diagnosed with Alzheimer’s.As of 2023, 6.7 million Americans over age 65 have Alzheimer’s. The CDC expects those diagnoses to hit 14 million by 2060. However, Hispanic people will be diagnosed at a rate seven times the total population estimates, and cases among African American people will increase at a rate four times the total population estimates.How does dementia vary by state?The CDC tracks how many adults experience cognitive decline over time. It is monitored as a subjective measure of whether cognitive decline or memory loss is happening more often or is getting worse over a 12-month period. This data includes those with Alzheimer’s but also includes those experiencing kinds of dementia.Dementia is not a disease but rather an umbrella term for cognitive decline that can interfere with a person’s ability to remember information and make decisions. Alzheimer’s is just one kind of dementia. Other kinds of dementia include conditions like vascular dementia and Lewy body dementia, which have similar symptoms to Alzheimer’s but different causes.Several southern states and Utah, Colorado, Michigan, Maryland, and Washington, DC, have the highest percentages of populations (14.1–16.5%) 65 and older reporting worsening cognitive function over the previous 12 months.
Aug 31, 2023What is the state of American hearing?
Over 12 million people in the US reported having hearing difficulty in 2022, according to the Census Bureau’s American Community Survey. An additional 1.76 million Americans had a hearing disability that year than in 2010 — a 17% increase, and more than double the rate at which the US population grew over the same period (8%). Between 2010 and 2022, the share of the population with hearing difficulty increased from 3.4% to 3.7%.In 2022, 63.5% of Americans with hearing disabilities were ages 65 and over. Age is the strongest predictor of hearing loss, and the elderly population is growing.How many Americans use a hearing aid?Slightly more than 4% of all Americans reported using a hearing aid in 2022, according to the National Health Interview Survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Among adults ages 18 years and over, 24.4% with hearing loss used a hearing aid. The Department of Health and Human Services has set a goal to increase the use of hearing aids by 2030.
Dec 20, 202365% of households with children report the use of online learning during pandemic
The US Census Bureau has conducted its Household Pulse Survey since April to measure how people’s lives have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Here’s how the virus is affecting K-12 education, using results from the edition of the survey collected from October 14 to October 26.
Dec 10, 2020Six charts about COVID-19 vaccines: 24% of Americans 12 to 17 have started their vaccinations
1. 168.5 million Americans have received at least one dose of a COVID-19 vaccineAs of June 1, 2021, fifty-one percent of Americans have received at least one dose of the COVID-19 vaccine. Forty-one percent of the population, or 135.9 million people, is fully vaccinated.The vaccination rate has slowed since peaking in April. In the week ending on June 1, there were an average of 587,000 new vaccine recipients every day, down 71% from the 2 million a day mid-April. At the current vaccination rate, 70% of the population will have at least one dose by mid-September.
Jun 7, 2021The 12 numbers that defined 2020
16 millionThe number of people known to have had COVID-19 as of December 14. That means around one in 20 Americans have contracted the virus since the onset of the pandemic in the spring; over 296,000 have died. As the year ends, the pandemic has continued to intensify — with over 210,000 new cases and 2,400 deaths reported each day.
Dec 23, 2020Has COVID-19 disproportionately affected Black and Hispanic Americans?
In 2020, COVID-19 death rates for Black and Hispanic people were higher than rates for non-Hispanic white and Asian people across age groups. More than 0.5% of Black and 0.7% of Hispanic people aged 65 to 74 died from COVID-19 — higher than the 0.2% of non-Hispanic white people in this age group who died from coronavirus.
Mar 1, 2021How many people in the US receive care for HIV?
More than 797,000 people in the US received care for HIV in 2021, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).Nearly 1.1 million people nationwide have been diagnosed with HIV, including 35,769 new diagnoses in 2021. Rapid identification and treatment help stem the spread of HIV and can improve the health outcomes of people who contract the sexually transmitted disease. Early diagnosis and treatment are also central components of the federal government’s plan to end the HIV epidemic.How many newly diagnosed HIV patients receive medical care within a month of diagnosis?In 2022, 82.2% of people who were newly diagnosed with HIV received care within one month of their diagnosis, according to preliminary government estimates. That’s an increase from 77.8% in 2017. The federal government’s goal is 95% by 2025.
Nov 10, 2023What’s the state of telehealth after COVID-19?
Telehealth became more widely used throughout the US during the COVID-19 pandemic. Data indicates that about 80% of physicians plan to continue using it. At the beginning of the pandemic, telehealth visits increased from about 5 million to more than 53 million among Medicare recipients alone. Data collected from April 14, 2021, through August 8, 2022, shows that while telehealth usage rates peaked during the pandemic, they remain higher than pre-pandemic levels.What is telehealth?The Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) defines telehealth as access to a healthcare provider without an in-person office visit. This includes video chats over computers, tablets, or phones.Telehealth also includes phone calls and digital communication with a provider, such as email or data exchange through a portal. It may also encompass the use of remote monitoring devices like a blood pressure monitor or glucose meter.Interest in telehealth was slowly rising until spring 2020, when the pandemic and subsequent lockdowns made it a necessity. To promote contact-free prevention measures, former President Donald Trump expanded Medicare’s telehealth benefits via executive action, granting millions of Americans access to telehealth services. Up until then, Medicare coverage for telehealth was only available in very specific circumstances.The term telehealth is often used interchangeably with telemedicine. According to the Office of the National Coordinator for Health Information Technology, telemedicine refers to clinical services, while telehealth includes non-clinical services. For example, non-clinical services may include things like administrative meetings, while clinical services include patient consultations.However, the official Medicaid website no longer uses the term telemedicine, and instead refers to all consultations, diagnoses, meetings, and health assessments completed across a distance as telehealth.What are the differences between telehealth and in-person care?The differences between telehealth and in-person care depend on the patient’s condition. For example, telehealth may be appropriate for consultations, follow-up visits, or common ailments. However, it may be less suitable for conditions that require a physical examination or bloodwork.Telehealth protects patients from potential exposure to communicable diseases in the doctor’s office. Virtual doctor visits give patients access to specialists who may otherwise be inaccessible because they live too far away.However, telehealth may prove more challenging than in-person care for either provider or patient if they have difficulty communicating via video chat. Some telehealth providers may need to make appropriate accommodations for patients with disabilities.Not everyone has access to the broadband internet necessary to access video telehealth services. Others may not have the technical knowledge required to operate telehealth platforms or monitoring devices.
Nov 22, 2023Who is overdosing on fentanyl?
Opioids have claimed the lives of over 800,000 Americans between 1999 and 2023, becoming a substantial national public health issue. In 2023, fentanyl — a synthetic opioid up to 50 times stronger than heroin— accounted for 80.0% of opioid-related overdoses, according to provisional CDC data. Fentanyl deaths have risen over the last decade, with nearly 24 times more deaths in 2022 than 2013, and approximately 73,838 deaths in 2022 alone.Location, race, and age data on fentanyl deaths reveals an underlying disparity in who is most affected by the opioid crisis.Which states are losing the most people to fentanyl?In 2022, West Virginia had the highest rate of age-adjusted fentanyl overdoses of any state, at 67 deaths per 100,000 people, 42.3% higher than Delaware, with the next highest rate of 47.1.South Dakota had the lowest rate of fentanyl overdoses, with 4.6 deaths per 100,000 residents.
May 29, 2024Which states have the best and worst air quality?
The average air quality in Arizona is considered unhealthy, while Hawaii has the country’s best air quality.These designations are based on air quality index (AQI) which indicates the number of pollutants in the air. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, an AQI of less than 50 is considered “good,” an AQI of 51–100 is “moderate,” and 101–150 is “unhealthy for sensitive groups.”Which states have the best and worst average AQI?Forty-three states and Washington, DC, have a healthy average AQI. Hawaii’s is the best (24.2), followed by Alaska (27.9), and Maine (34.8). Arizona is the only state with an unhealthy average AQI, at 101.8. Nationally, the average AQI was 48.6 in 2021.
Apr 20, 2023Are Americans meeting federal dietary guidelines?
Since 1980, the Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) have jointly published science-based dietary guidelines every five years to help Americans improve their health and reduce their risk of chronic diseases. The most recent Dietary Guidelines for Americans report was published in 2020.How does the government measure what Americans eat?The USDA and HHS periodically conduct the What We Eat in America (WWEIA) survey as part of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES). The survey began in 2001 and is a two-day process: an in-person interview on the first day and a telephone interview on the second. Both interviews collect diet data, such as the types and estimated quantities of foods each participant eats over 24 hours.The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) also runs the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). Established in 1984, BRFSS conducts telephone surveys to collect information about US residents’ health risks and chronic conditions. While the survey does not focus on food or nutrition, the findings often include diet-related information.Before WWEIA and other current data collection methods, the government measured American diets by conducting various food consumption studies and distributing nationwide questionnaires.What government data says about the American dietMost Americans fall short of meeting the Dietary Guidelines recommendations. Over 50% of Americans consume at or above the recommended amount of grains and proteins but don’t meet the recommendations for each subgroup within the grain and protein food groups.The NHANES survey also indicated that over 80% of Americans have diets too low in vegetables, fruit, and dairy. A 2019 CDC report stated that 12.3% of American adults met the suggested fruit intake, and 10% met vegetable consumption goals.Fruits and vegetable consumption by state/territoryAccording to the CDC, 39.9% of adults consumed fruit less than once daily in 2021. Puerto Rico had the nation’s highest percentage of fruit-deficient adults — 51.1% of its population ate fruit less than once daily — followed by Oklahoma (48.7%) and Louisiana (48.6%).Washington, DC, residents lead in eating fruits — two-thirds of residents ate fruit once a day or more — followed by people in Vermont at 34.4% and Maine at 35%.
Dec 7, 2023Which states spend the most on healthcare?
Personal healthcare spending varies by state, ranging from approximately $7,522 to $14,007.Personal healthcare expenditures, which comprise the largest share of total national health expenditures, refer to spending on goods and services relating directly to patient care. According to the Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention (CDC), this includes expenses for hospital care, physicians’ and dentists’ services, prescription drugs, eyeglasses, and nursing home care. Various actors, including private insurance, Medicare, Medicaid, and regular citizens, often combine to pay these expenses.California spent the most on healthcare in 2020 at $405.5 billion. The state paid nearly $135 billion more than New York, the next highest state, and over 63 times the amount spent by Wyoming, the state that spent the least. However, California ranked 23rd for healthcare spending per capita.Which states have high personal healthcare spending?California spent $405.5 billion or 12.1% of total spending on personal healthcare — funds spent directly on health services — in 2020, the latest year with available data on state-level healthcare spending. New York, Texas, Florida, and Pennsylvania also ranked as top healthcare-spending states in 2020, with expenditures of $270.8 billion, $246.8 billion, $214.4 billion, and $148.3 billion, respectively. However, California, Texas, Florida, and New York were also the four most populous states in 2020.
Dec 21, 2023How does poverty affect people’s mental and physical health?
Poorer households spend a larger portion of their incomes on housing, food, and healthcare. But the challenges of poverty go beyond paying for necessities. People living in poverty are more prone to mental and physical health issues — 19.4% report regular anxiety, and a range of studies indicate an increased risk for chronic disease.What is the federal poverty level?As of January 2023, the federal poverty line is $29,960 for a family of four, or $14,891 for an individual. Households earning at or below these incomes are eligible for certain government programs, including Head Start, the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, sometimes referred to as food stamps), and other welfare benefits or temporary assistance.
Nov 1, 2023