Health Indicators By State And Gender: 5 Indicators

HEALTH INDICATORS BY STATE & GENDER 5 Health Indicators by State & Gender

Explain the statistics found on life expectancy, infant mortality, and subjective well-being of females in Maryland, Oklahoma, Texas, and North Carolina, and males in Texas.

Texas has a life expectancy of approximately 76.4 years for males born between 1981 and 2010, with an infant mortality rate of 5.82 per 1,000 live births as of 2012. Females in Texas enjoy higher life expectancy, averaging around 80.84 years, with the overall Texas life expectancy being 78.45 years. Increased access to healthcare and social security contributions have improved these statistics. Despite longer lifespans, women in Texas report slightly lower subjective well-being, possibly due to salary disparities, earning roughly 77 cents per dollar compared to men (Center for Disease Control, 2016).

In Maryland, particularly in the Baltimore/Washington tristate area, life expectancy for women varies: in Montgomery County, it is about 85 years, in the District about 79.6 years, and in Baltimore about 76.5 years. Over the decades, black women have seen a notable rise in life expectancy, but disparities remain. The state’s overall female life expectancy is approximately 81.27 years. Infant mortality rates have slightly declined, reaching 6.5 per 1,000 live births in 2014, with causes such as SIDS, low birth weight, and maternal complications being primary contributors (Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Vital Statistics Administration, 2014).

North Carolina reports a concerning trend: women’s life expectancy is decreasing and is now less than five years longer than that of men. The average life expectancy for white females is approximately 75.6 years, while for minority females, it is around 75.8 years. Factors affecting this include smoking, employment status, education, and prescription drug abuse. Infant mortality has remained relatively stable at 7.1 per 1,000 live births in 2014 (North Carolina Healthy Start Foundation, 2015).

Oklahoma’s data suggest that women’s life expectancy is decreasing over the years, with an average of about 78.1 years for women in over 25% of the counties. Lifestyle factors impact longevity—those who maintain healthy diets, stay physically active, avoid substance abuse, and utilize primary care are likely to live longer. Socioeconomic factors like poverty and obesity also negatively influence mental and physical health, thus affecting life expectancy (Healthdata, 2015).

Paper For Above instruction

Health indicators such as life expectancy, infant mortality, and subjective well-being provide valuable insights into the overall health status of different populations across states. Analyzing these indicators for females in Maryland, Oklahoma, Texas, and North Carolina, along with males in Texas, reveals significant disparities influenced by socioeconomic, behavioral, and healthcare factors.

Texas exemplifies a state where health improvements have led to increased life expectancy, especially among women. The average life expectancy for males is approximately 76.4 years, while females live on average about 80.84 years. The longevity gap between genders is largely attributable to behavioral and occupational differences; women tend to participate less in manual labor and often have better access to healthcare services, which contributes to their longer lifespans (Center for Disease Control, 2016). Despite this, women report slightly lower subjective well-being, which may be linked to income disparities. Women’s earnings are significantly lower than men’s, earning roughly 77 cents per dollar, which affects their perception of happiness and life satisfaction (Inglehart, 2002).

In Maryland, the variation in life expectancy among the Baltimore/Washington tristate area highlights the impact of socioeconomic factors. Montgomery County, Maryland, has a high female life expectancy of approximately 85 years, while Baltimore’s rate is closer to 76.5 years. Over recent decades, black women’s lifespan has increased notably, from less than that of white women, due largely to improved access to healthcare and health awareness campaigns. However, underlying issues such as diabetes from obesity and lung cancer from smoking persist, impacting overall health outcomes (Brown, 2012). The state’s infant mortality rate has dropped modestly to 6.5 per 1,000 live births, yet disparities in health care quality and access continue to challenge public health efforts (Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Vital Statistics Administration, 2014).

North Carolina presents a troubling trend: women’s life expectancy is declining and now approaches a duration less than five years longer than that of men, reversing longstanding trends. The average lifespan for white women in some counties is around 75.6 to 79.6 years, with significant variation based on locality. Contributing factors include smoking prevalence, employment in high-risk jobs, educational attainment, and misuse of prescription painkillers. Infant mortality has remained steady at 7.1 per 1,000 live births, suggesting persistent challenges in maternal health and access to prenatal care (North Carolina Healthy Start Foundation, 2015). This trend underscores the importance of addressing social determinants of health at both local and state levels.

Oklahoma illustrates the complex interplay between health behaviors, socioeconomic status, and longevity. The state reports decreasing average female life expectancy, currently around 78.1 years. Women in counties characterized by poverty, obesity, and substance abuse tend to have shorter lifespans. Conversely, engaging in regular physical activity, maintaining nutritional diets, and utilizing healthcare services effectively are associated with longer life expectancy. These findings confirm that personal health behaviors significantly influence longevity, but systemic disparities also play a crucial role. The high prevalence of substance abuse, obesity, and poverty in certain regions of Oklahoma correlates with lower life expectancy among women (Healthdata, 2015).

In conclusion, the analysis of health indicators across these states underscores the importance of targeted public health initiatives. Policies that improve healthcare access, address socioeconomic disparities, and promote healthy behaviors can positively influence life expectancy and subjective well-being. Addressing gender-specific health needs—such as income disparities affecting women’s subjective well-being and reducing risk factors for infant mortality—is critical. Tailored programs that focus on community-specific issues, such as maternal health in North Carolina or chronic disease prevention in Maryland, are essential for meaningful health improvements. Overall, these data emphasize the need for continuous monitoring, resource allocation, and policy interventions to enhance health outcomes in diverse populations across the United States.

References

• Brown, D. (2012). The Washington Post. Retrieved from https://www.washingtonpost.com
• Buescher, P. A., & Gizlice, Z. (2002). Healthy life expectancy in North Carolina. SCHS Studies.
• Center for Disease Control. (2016). Health statistics of Texas. Retrieved from https://www.cdc.gov
• Inglehart, R. (2002). Gender, aging, and subjective well-being. International Journal of Comparative Sociology, 43(3-5). DOI: 10.1177/0020715202043003004
• Maryland Department of Health and Mental Hygiene Vital Statistics Administration. (2014). Maryland infant mortality report. Maryland Vital Statistics: Infant Mortality in Maryland, 2014.
• Maryland Life Expectancy. (2009). Maryland Life Expectancy Female.
• North Carolina Healthy Start Foundation. (2015). Infant mortality in North Carolina. Retrieved from https://nchealthystart.org
• Healthdata. (2015). Oklahoma Women’s health report. Retrieved from https://healthdata.org
• Pol, L. G., & Thomas, R. K. (2013). The demography of health and healthcare. Springer.
• Visit Maryland.org. (2015). Maryland facts. Retrieved from https://visitmaryland.org