Kentucky is the fifth-worst state for children’s health care

According to a new study released by WalletHub, Kentucky ranks as the fifth-worst state for children's health care, trailing only Montana, Alaska, Arizona, and Mississippi.

Keeping children healthy is both essential and costly. Fortunately, about 94% of children ages 0 to 18 have health insurance coverage to protect them when they become ill. However, high coverage rates have not necessarily reduced health care expenses for families.

On average, workers contribute $6,850 per year toward employer-sponsored family health coverage. While some families receive assistance through Medicaid or the Children's Health Insurance Program (CHIP), many who do not qualify for government support continue to face financial strain especially amid significant inflation. Cost, however, is not the only factor influencing children's health care. The quality of the health care system and environmental conditions, such as access to nutritious food and fluoridated water, also play significant roles.

"The quality of children's health care should be one of the most important considerations for parents when deciding where to live," said Chip Lupo, WalletHub analyst. "Having access to quality pediatric and dental care, nutritious food, and good spaces for recreation from a young age can give children a much better chance of growing up healthy and forming good habits that will last into their adult life."

Kentucky is ranked 47th in WalletHub's study, with a score of 43.98. It ranks 45th in kids' health and access to health care, 42nd in kids' nutrition, physical activity, and obesity, and 19th in kids' oral health.

The Bluegrass State ranks 33rd in the percentage of children in excellent/very good health, 22nd in the percentage of uninsured children, 40th in infant-death rate, 43rd in the percentage of children with unaffordable medical bills, 35th in pediatricians and family doctors per capita, 35th in the percentage of overweight children, 44th in the percentage of obese children, 21st in the percentage of children with excellent/very good teeth, and 36th in the percentage of children 19 to 35 months old with all the recommended vaccines.

WalletHub asked six experts for their opinions on what steps parents, health-care organizations, and the government can take to ensure the best health for children in the United States. Lise M. Youngblade, PhD, said that parents and other caregivers play incredibly important roles in modeling and teaching choices that promote lifelong health habits.

"These include encouraging physical activity and regular exercise, and minimal screen time," said Youngblade, the Dean of the College of Health and Human Sciences at Colorado State University. "Good nutrition that includes whole foods and minimally processed foods has lifelong benefits. Drinking enough water and staying hydrated is key to good health. Making sleep a priority is important for healthy development. Parents also help children learn to manage emotions, solve problems, communicate, and develop close relationships with others, in short, providing the foundational building blocks for healthy mental and emotional development."

She also added that parents have an important role in ensuring that children receive preventive health care, including oral health care.

"Proactive and preventive daily practices and regular visits with medical and dental providers ensure developmental milestones are being met, children's health is being monitored, and issues or concerns can be addressed before they become more serious," she said.

According to WalletHub, Massachusetts is the best state for children's health with a score of 67.34, followed by Rhode Island, Connecticut, Vermont, Hawaii, and New Jersey, which are all Blue (Democratic) States. Of the top 10, only Iowa is a Red (Republican) State. All of the bottom 11 states are classified as Red States, with the exceptions of Georgia (45th) and Arizona (50th).

To view the report, visit https://wallethub.com/edu/best-states-for-child-health/34455.