How Wisconsin Compares to National Mental Health Rankings

How Wisconsin Compares to National Mental Health Rankings

• The study looked at several health factors, including frequent mental distress, life expectancy and physical inactivity, to give each state a mental health ranking score.
• Wisconsin scores 61.8, ranking 19th for mental well-being.
• Hawaii tops the rankings with a score of 91.4, followed by West Virginia with 5.6.

A new analysis looked at how each state’s mental health data compares across the country, with Wisconsin ranking above the national average.

The study, conducted by Leaf Welllooked at various health indicators for each state, including levels of common mental distress, physical inactivity, number of days of poor mental health, life expectancy, access to exercise, and median household income. An overall health score was calculated for each state out of 100, leading to a ranking based on these key health measures.

Wisconsin calculated a total score of 61.8which ranks 19th overall in the nation. Despite having a median annual income that is 2.6% lower than the U.S. average of $67,200, Wisconsin exceeds the average life expectancy by nearly a full year, reaching age 79. The state experiences slightly more poor mental health days than the average American, at five per month, but only 13% of the population frequently experiences mental distress. Wisconsin also has a relatively high physical activity rate of 80% among the population, as 84% ​​have access to exercise opportunities – the national average is 81%.

Commenting on the study, Mitchell L. Doucette, PhD, MS, director of research at Leafwell, said, “As we delve deeper into the intricacies of Wisconsin’s health metrics, it becomes clear that factors such as access to exercise opportunities, median household income and mental health resources play critical roles in shaping community well-being.”

“By highlighting the attributes of Wisconsin and other states in the rankings, we hope to inspire conversations and initiatives that prioritize holistic approaches to improving the quality of life for residents nationwide.”

The Five States Where Mental Health Is Most Beneficial

Securing first place is Hawaiiwith a health score of 91.4Despite its relatively small population of 1.4 million, Hawaii is often synonymous with a stress-free environment. It boasts the highest average life expectancy of any state, reaching an impressive 82.3 years. The state also excels when it comes to mental well-being, experiencing an average of just 3.6 days of poor mental health per month. Remarkably, only 11% of the population reports more than 14 days of poor mental health in a given month, reflecting low levels of frequent mental distress.

The Five Worst States for Mental Health

West Virginia has the lowest overall well-being, achieving a health score of only 5.6With a population of 1.7 million, 19% of residents report frequent mental health disorders, resulting in more than 14 days of poor mental health in a given month. This alarming percentage is the highest in the United States. Additionally, the state faces the challenge of the second-worst life expectancy at 74.3 years. This figure is significantly four years lower than the national average, reflecting a critical health disparity within the state.

ENDS

If you use the story, please credit and link back to https://leafwell.com/medical-card/minnesota who conducted the research.

Sources: University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute

Methodology:The study analyzed mental and physical well-being in all 50 states. An index was developed by collecting statistics on median household income, frequent mental distress, days of poor mental health, access to exercise opportunities, physical inactivity rates, life expectancy, and population. By averaging the data and combining each variable, a health score out of 100 was calculated, respectfully ranking each state.

Complete State Mental Health Rankings