Where Women Thrive: The Best States for Health and Care

The Commonwealth Fund published their 2024 findings on the best states for women’s health and reproductive care.

The study utilized 32 metrics across three categories: healthcare access, quality, and health outcomes.

What states provide the best in women’s health?

1. Massachusetts
2. Vermont
3. Rhode Island
4. Connecticut
5. New Hampshire

What states need to improve?

1. Mississippi
2. Texas
3. Nevada
4. Oklahoma
5. Arkansas

APP Colleague’s home state of Michigan ranked #28 out of our 50 states, which I find disappointing. However, the authors categorize Michigan as“better than average” when examining overall health system performance for women. 

Analysis of the study’s findings in women’s health and reproductive care is fascinating, but I was drawn to its statistics regarding geographic location and maternal health outcomes. The publication cites mental health and cardiovascular conditions as the leading causes of death during pregnancy, the day of delivery, and immediately after delivery. (Note: While not at the bottom of the list, Michigan’s maternal mortality ranks were in the bottom 50% nationally)

The states with the highest maternal mortality rates are:

1. Arkansas
2. Louisiana
3. Mississippi
4. Tennessee

The states with the lowest maternal mortality rates are:

1. Vermont
2. California
3. Connecticut 

Review the data on women’s health state-by-state at: 

2024 State Scorecard on Women’s Health and Reproductive Care

How well does your state care for women?

Nikki Rataj Casady, DMSc, PA-C

email@appcolleague.org