In the country’s annual health checkup, Illinois ranks 28 this year when compared with other states – according to United Health Foundation’s America’s Health Rankings® Annual Report. Illinois ranked 30th in 2014. The report’s national data show that in 2015, Americans are making meaningful progress on key health metrics including smoking less and leading less sedentary lives, but rising rates of drug deaths – including deaths from illegal drug use and prescription drug abuse – obesity, diabetes and children in poverty signal serious challenges ahead. United Health Foundation produces the America’s Health Rankings Annual Report to provide actionable, data-driven insights that stakeholders can use to effect change in a state or nationally.

Illinois’ Strengths

Low rate of drug deaths

Ready availability of primary care physicians

In the past 10 years, premature death decreased 13 percent from 7,573 to 6,555 years lost per 100,000 population

In the past 10 years, violent crime decreased 30 percent from 543 to 380 offenses per 100,000 population

Since 1990, infant mortality decreased 48 percent from 11.9 to 6.2 deaths per 1,000 live births

Illinois’ Challenges

High prevalence of excessive drinking

High levels of air pollution

High rate of preventable hospitalizations

In the past two years, children in poverty increased 11 percent from 18.5 percent to 20.5 percent of children