Each year, America’s Health Rankings publishes a series of reports ranking each state’s health. The reports look across a series of 250 measures – everything from how accessible prenatal care is to the number of home care workers – to give a snapshot of how healthy a state is overall. A platform of the UnitedHealth Foundation, it’s the longest running state-by-state analysis of our nation’s health.
The most recent rankings show some good news we can all celebrate – and areas where together, we can do more to help people in communities across Washington live healthier lives.
The good news: Washington is #7 overall for health – and #7 for senior health.
According to the most recent rankings, Washington State was ranked as the 7th healthiest state in the country. Bright spots include our relatively low rates of smoking and high levels of physical activity.
In May, America’s Health Rankings also released its annual report card looking at the health of seniors. Here, too, there’s good news: Washington ranked #7, with Washington’s seniors more physically active and less likely to experience poverty compared to seniors in other states.
But there is more work to do – especially in our state’s underserved communities who face disproportionate burdens of negative health impacts.
We know that health isn’t experienced equitably in our communities. Many communities in Washington — including rural populations, communities of color, and low-income neighborhoods — face disproportionate barriers to care and carry a greater burden of health challenges. Optum Care Washington is committed to meeting patients where they are and ensuring better health outcomes for every community we serve, not just some of them.
From expanding access to care, to supporting workforce development programs that place providers in shortage areas across Washington, Optum Care Washington is helping ensure that more patients —including seniors, working families, and residents of historically underserved communities — can access high-quality care closer to home.
Help for mental health care at every stage of life.
Washington ranks among the highest in the nation for frequent mental distress. Behavioral health challenges like stress, anxiety, and depression are real, common, and treatable. Optum Care Washington builds behavioral health support into how we care for you — not a separate system you have to navigate on your own.
By integrating behavioral health services into primary care settings, expanding access to virtual care, and helping train and support behavioral health providers, Optum Care Washington is working to make it easier for Washingtonians to access mental health care earlier.
Are your cancer screenings up-to-date?
Washington was ranked 30th for the rate of cancer screenings among adults. Screenings for common cancers are powerful tools to detect cancers early — and many are often covered at no cost to you. If you’re not sure whether it’s time for a screening, your next visit with your Optum Care Washington provider is the perfect time to ask. Your care team can recommend screenings for common cancers, including breast cancer; colon and rectal cancers; lung and bronchus cancers; prostate cancer; and skin cancer.
We’ll keep working every day to help the health system work better for everyone
There’s a lot to celebrate about the strides Washington has made in health, and we’re committed to helping the health system work even better for everyone. After all, we’ve been caring for Puget Sound residents for 100+ years. Our work is complex, but our mission is simple — to provide the primary and specialty care you need to live better.
Ready to take the next step? Schedule an appointment with your Optum Care Washington provider at optum.com/wa.