From 2017 to 2021, a remarkable 83% of U.S. citizens felt their health was at least ‘good,’ as found in a study by U.S. News, using data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
However, a deeper look indicates variations based on race. For instance, American Indians and Alaska Natives reported a 72.9% health satisfaction rate, while Hispanics stood at 75.9%. These figures are below the national average. Conversely, Asian Americans and Whites displayed higher satisfaction, with 90.8% and 84.6% respectively.
State-Level Analysis Reveals Disparities
The Racial Equality in America project further dissects these figures at the state level. They measured the average difference in health satisfaction between the general population and different ethnic groups. States with bigger disparities ranked lower in terms of racial equality in health.
In states like Illinois, the overall health satisfaction paralleled the national average at 83.5%. Yet, a stark contrast exists between Hispanic (72.9%) and Asian (92.7%) communities. Similarly, Virginia showcased an 84.2% overall health satisfaction, close to the national average. However, it manifested lesser disparities between its racial groups, marking a more equitable health landscape.
In conclusion, while many states are close to the national health satisfaction average, the real metric lies in the disparities among racial groups. These findings help pinpoint where the work is most needed and where progress is being made.