High Health Status in United States

United States

Self-reported health status is a measure of how individuals perceive their own health. It is a subjective measure of health-related quality of life that is not limited to specific health conditions or outcomes, but also factors in social support, ability and ease of functioning and other socioeconomic, environmental and cultural components. The United States Department of Health and Human Services uses this measure to evaluate large-scale progress toward achieving Healthy People 2030 objectives.

Research shows that those with “poor” self-reported health status have a mortality risk double that of those with ”excellent” self-reported health status. The association between health status and mortality makes this measure a good predictor of future mortality rates.

According to America’s Health Rankings analysis, the prevalence of adults who report “very good” or “excellent“ health is higher among:

• Adults ages 18-44 compared with adults ages 65 and older. 
• Asian and white adults compared with Black, Hispanic and American Indian/Alaska Native adults. 
• College graduates compared with those with lower educational attainment. The prevalence of high health status significantly increases with educational attainment.
• Adults with annual household incomes of $75,000 or more compared with those with lower incomes. The prevalence of high health status significantly increases with each increase in household income level.
• Adults living in metropolitan areas compared with those in nonmetropolitan areas.
• Adults without a disability compared with adults who have difficulty with self-care.
• Straight adults compared with lesbian, gay, bisexual and queer (LGBQ+) adults.
• Adults who have not served compared with adults who have served in the U.S. armed forces.

More years of schooling are associated with better self-reported health status. This may be partly due to the fact that those with higher education have fewer chronic conditions. Access to economic resources as well as jobs with healthier working conditions and benefits are also associated with better health status.

The Community Preventive Services Task Force recommends implementing high-quality, center-based early childhood education programs in order to improve health. These programs promote health equity and narrow the educational achievement gap, especially for children in low-income or racial and ethnic minority communities. 

Chronic diseases such as cancer, diabetes and heart disease are leading causes of death in the U.S., affecting 6 in 10 Americans. Many chronic diseases are preventable by eating well, staying physically active, avoiding tobacco use and excessive drinking and getting regular health screenings. The Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion has a webpage on strategies for healthy living that covers nutrition, physical activity, mental health and sexual health.

Health status is an overall health and well-being measure used by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to summarize and gauge progress toward achieving Healthy People 2030 objectives.

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