To strengthen the well-being of communities across the nation, it is essential to identify and understand the health challenges and trends facing women and children.
The United Health Foundation’s America’s Health Rankings ® 2024 Health of Women and Children Report presents a mixed portrait of health.
While several key mortality indicators have increased for women and children, other clinical and socioeconomic factors have improved.
The report highlights concerning increases in maternal and child mortality while also reflecting improvement in the number of pediatricians.
Read the latest report
The America’s Health Rankings ® 2024 Health of Women and Children Report analyzed more than 100 indicators affecting women and children across multiple topics, including measures of mental, behavioral and physical health, as well as social drivers of health.
The five healthiest states for women and children were New Hampshire (No. 1), Massachusetts, Minnesota, New Jersey and Vermont.
Policymakers, health officials and researchers use these reports to better understand the specific health concerns and challenges affecting women of reproductive age and children across the nation.
Key national findings
Women
Maternal mortality rate continued to rise
Maternal mortality increased 34%, from 17.3 to 23.2 deaths per 100,000 live births between 2014-2018 and 2018-2022.
Several measures of physical health worsened
Among women ages 18-44, asthma increased 9% from 11.7% to 12.7% between 2019-2020 and 2021-2022 — affecting approximately 743,800 more women. At the same time, obesity increased 8% from 30.4% to 32.7% — impacting approximately 16 million women in 2021-2022.
Depression, drug deaths increased
Between 2019-2020 and 2021-2022, depression increased 11% among women ages 18-44, from 26.1% to 29.1%. Additionally, drug deaths continued to increase, rising 38% among women between 2017-2019 and 2020-2022, from 20.7 to 28.6 deaths per 100,000 females ages 20-44.
Children
Teen suicide rate improved while child mortality worsened
In 2020-2022, the teen suicide rate decreased from the 2017-2019 rate, the peak since America’s Health Rankings began tracking it. The suicide rate decreased 6% from 11.2 to 10.5 deaths per 100,000 adolescents ages 15-19. However, overall child mortality rose, increasing 14% from 25.4 to 29.0 deaths per 100,000 children ages 1-19 between 2017-2019 and 2020-2022.
Mental health conditions increased
Diagnosed mental health conditions among children ages 3-17 increased 12% from 17.7% to 19.9% between 2020-2021 and 2022-2023.
Obesity declined; number of pediatricians rose
The prevalence of overweight and obesity among youth decreased 6% from 33.2% to 31.1% of those ages 10-17 between 2020-2021 and 2022-2023 — affecting about 428,000 fewer children than in 2020-2021. Between 2022 and 2023, the number of pediatricians increased 4% from 109.3 to 113.2 per 100,000 children ages 0-21, continuing a longer-term increase since 2019.
“America’s Health Rankings underscores how important the social drivers of health are to the well-being of our communities and helps us take a proactive and preventive approach to health. Through this holistic approach, we can address health challenges our women and children face before they worsen and ensure a healthier future for our nation."
Dr. Lisa Saul | National Medical Director of Maternal Child Health, UnitedHealthcare
Spotlight on solutions
Improving maternal and infant health outcomes
The United Health Foundation has made a 10-year, $100 million commitment to advancing a more diverse health workforce with scholarships and support to 10,000 current and aspiring health professionals. Since the Diversity in Health Care Scholarship program launched, the United Health Foundation has provided scholarships to nearly 2,000 health professionals and students from diverse backgrounds. Click here to learn more about Yamilee, a Diversity in Health Care Scholar pursuing a Doctor of Nursing Practice with a specialization in midwifery, and her journey to make a difference.
Supporting youth mental health
In North Carolina, many young people face significant challenges in accessing mental health services due to a shortage of providers across the state. To help bridge this gap, the United Health Foundation launched a three-year, $3.2 million grant partnership with East Carolina University (ECU) in 2023. Learn more about how the partnership is connecting youth to essential mental health care services via telehealth, while also providing training opportunities for ECU students to become the next generation of mental health professionals.
As the longest-running state-by-state analysis of our nation’s health, the platform provides actionable data that stakeholders can use to effect change either in a state or nationally and continue the dialogue of improving our nation’s health. Learn more.
About the United Health Foundation
Through collaboration with community partners, grants and outreach efforts, the United Health Foundation works to improve our health system, build a diverse and dynamic health workforce and enhance the well-being of local communities. The United Health Foundation was established by UnitedHealth Group in 1999 as a not-for-profit, private foundation dedicated to improving health and health care. To date, the United Health Foundation has committed nearly $800 million to programs and communities around the world, including a $100 million commitment to help diversify the health workforce. To learn more, visit UnitedHealthFoundation.org.
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