The Health of Mississippi

Mississippi leads the nation in:

• Prevalence of diabetes in adults (tied with Alabama for first place in 2002)
• Deaths from heart disease (32% of the deaths in Mississippi in 2001 were attributed to heart disease)
• Lack of breast cancer screenings in women over 50 (it was estimated that 2200 new cases of breast cancer would be diagnosed in Mississippi in 2002 and that 400 women would die from the disease)
• Population underserved by physicians (Mississippi ranked next to last in the nation in the number of physicians/100,000 in 2002)

Other factors contributing to poor health indicators include:

• 61% of Mississippi's population is overweight or obese – the third "fattest" state in the nation (2002)
• Mississippi has a very high rate of sexually transmitted diseases - ranked #3 in the nation in the rate for chlamydia and #2 for gonorrhea (2002)
• Mississippi's teen birth rate exceeds the U.S. rate by 50% (2002).  (In 2000, 18.7% of all babies in Mississippi were born to teens)

Life style changes can affect your state of health.  Consider the following:

• Physically active people have a lower risk of heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, obesity, and some forms of cancer
• According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), tobacco use is the single largest contributor to preventable premature death in the United States
• Poor diet is considered a leading contributor to such health concerns as diabetes, stroke, osteoporosis and obesity
• It has been estimated that 14% of all US deaths in 1990 could be attributed to poor diet and activity patterns

• Educate you and your organization on adopting healthy habits
• Guide you to becoming a Master Health Education Volunteer helping others to live a healthier life
• Help you organize a local group to focus on a community health priority

Visit the following parts of our web site to help get you started on the path to a healthier life:

• Calendar of events – is there a class or event scheduled in your area?
• Publications and media – read or request a copy of material to help you get started
• Master Health Education Volunteer – find out how you can learn to help others improve their health
• Contact information – talk to your local area health agent for more information on programs and opportunities to enhance your health and that of your community

Recognize that even though today may be the day that you vow to begin living a healthier life, sometimes it takes a little help from your friends – Call your county office of MSU Extension Service; we care and we are there to help!

References:

Guide to Community Preventive Services, 2003

The Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation State Health Facts Online

National Center for Health Statistics