How Wisconsin Compares Against the National Mental Health Rankings

• The study examined multiple health factors, including frequent mental distress, life expectancy, and physical inactivity, to assign each state a mental health ranking score. 
• Wisconsin secures a score of 61.8, claiming 19th place for mental well-being.
• Hawaii leads the rankings with a score of 91.4, with West Virginia falling behind at 5.6.

A new analysis has examined how each state’s mental health data compares across the country, with Wisconsin ranking above the national average.

The study, conducted by Leafwell, examined various health indicators for each state, including levels of frequent mental distress, physical inactivity, number of poor mental health days, life expectancy, access to exercise and median household income. An overall health score was calculated for each state out of 100, leading to a ranking based on these critical health metrics. 

Wisconsin has calculated a total score of 61.8, placing it 19th within the overall national rankings. Despite a median annual income that is 2.6% lower than the US average, at $67,200, Wisconsin exceeds the average life expectancy by almost a whole year, reaching the age of 79. This state does experience slightly more poor mental health days than the everyday American, listed at five per month, but only 13% of the population experience frequent mental distress. Wisconsin also has a relatively high 80% physical activity rate among the population, due to 84% having access to exercise opportunities – the national average is 81%. 

Commenting on the study, Mitchell L. Doucette, PhD., M.S., Director of Research at Leafwell, said, “As we delve into the intricacies of Wisconsin’s health metrics, it becomes evident that factors such as access to exercise opportunities, median household income, and mental health resources play pivotal roles in shaping the well-being of communities.”

“By highlighting the attributes of Wisconsin and other states in the rankings, we aim to inspire conversations and initiatives that prioritize comprehensive approaches to improve the quality of life for residents nationwide.”

The Five Best States for Mental Health

Securing the top spot is Hawaii, boasting a health score of 91.4. Despite its relatively small population of 1.4 million, Hawaii is often synonymous with a stress-free environment. It stands out with the highest average life expectancy among all states, reaching an impressive 82.3 years. The state also excels in mental well-being, experiencing an average of only 3.6 days of poor mental health per month. Remarkably, only 11% of the population reports more than 14 days of poor mental health in a given month, reflecting low levels of frequent mental distress.

The Five Worst States for Mental Health

West Virginia has the lowest overall well-being, earning a health score of just 5.6. With a population of 1.7 million, a concerning 19% of residents report experiencing frequent mental distress, which translates to more than 14 days of poor mental health in a given month. This alarming percentage is the highest across the United States. Additionally, the state faces the challenge of the second-worst life expectancy at 74.3 years. This figure is notably four years below the national average, reflecting a critical health disparity within the state. 

ENDS

If using the story, please credit and link to https://leafwell.com/medical-card/minnesota who conducted the research.

Sources: University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute 

Methodology: The study analyzed the mental and physical well-being across all 50 states. An index was developed by gathering statistics on median household income, frequent mental distress, poor mental health days, access to exercise opportunities, physical inactivity rate, life expectancy, and population. By averaging the data and combining each variable, a health score out of 100 was calculated, respectfully ranking each state. 

Full State Ranking for Mental Health