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Mississippi Ranks Among "Worst Firsts" in 2009 Report Card

In recent years, Mississippians have been known as the fattest in the nation. Now there are many other unwanted national titles to add to the state's list of "worst firsts."

According to the Public Health in Mississippi Report Card 2009, issued jointly by the Mississippi State Medical Association (MSMA) and the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH), the Magnolia State ranks tops in housing the nation's unhealthiest citizens.

Mississippi ranks second in accidental deaths, traffic fatalities and adults with diabetes. It ranks third in adult tobacco use, and fourth in breast cancer deaths (sixth in incidence of breast cancer).

When compared to other states, Mississippi slips in to the teens in rankings of cerebrovascular deaths (17th) and cancer mortality (18th), and even falls next to last in one category. Unfortunately, that category, in which our largely rural state ranks 49th, represents the number of physicians per capita. (Mississippi has only half as many physicians as the average state.)

What's more, Mississippi has the highest infant mortality rate in the nation, with 6 percent of babies born to teenage moms. Also on the child health front, one-fourth of two-year-olds are not properly immunized.

The statistics continue a depressing streak. Forty-two percent of high school students have consumed alcohol, and 20 percent have smoked marijuana—in the past month! One in three adults has hypertension, and a third of the adult population has a body mass index (BMI) of over 30. Some 31 percent of adults report zero physical activity in the past 30 days. Additionally, there are 30,744 new cases of sexually transmitted diseases (STD), including 611 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) cases.

"MSMA has taken the pulse of Mississippi and our health is in critical condition," said MSMA President J. Patrick Barrett, MD. "We have a prescription for better health for Mississippi. Our cure is to help you reduce risky behaviors and work with you to meet healthy goals."

The 2009 Public Health Report Card appeared in the January 2009 issue of the scientific Journal of the Mississippi State Medical Association (JMSMA). The Public Health Report Card – a public education initiative that promotes healthy lifestyle choices as a personal responsibility – was undertaken by MSMA and the state health department to evaluate the health of Mississippians and the adequacy of programs to meet and improve the health needs of the state's population.

"Physicians know all too well that key health behaviors like a poor diet, too little exercise, tobacco use, and substance abuse can lead to heart disease, diabetes, obesity and other preventable conditions," Barrett said. "Changing lifestyle behaviors now to live healthy can help prevent and manage these conditions."

Living a healthy lifestyle, Barrett pointed out, greatly reduces the risk of chronic disease and can reduce healthcare costs for individuals and the community as a whole.

"Health information resources for physicians and our patients reviewed and recommended by Mississippi doctors complements our continuing efforts to encourage Mississippians to take positive steps to improve their health," Barrett said. "MSMA and the Department of Health hope the Public Health Report Card will encourage more Mississippians to partner with their physicians to make lasting changes and become fit for life."

Throughout the year, scientific articles written by Mississippi doctors for the JMSMA will outline the best practices for treating Mississippi's worst health problems. Simultaneously, news releases will publicize helpful advice on routine changes patients can make to improve their health.

Tags:

J. Patrick Barrett, Mississippi State Department of Health, Mississippi State Medical Association, Public Health in Mississippi Report Card 2009

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