America’s Health Rankings specifically examines the health of women, infants and children, knowing these key populations are fundamental to healthy communities and a healthy nation. With information from this year’s data update, states and communities are able to craft data-driven solutions to address the most pressing local health and well-being concerns. As a reminder, the data included in this report provides one of the most up-to-date, comprehensive assessments of the health of women, infants and children at the national and state levels. Based on 62 different health indicators, the data update examines the environment, clinical care, behaviors, policies and health outcomes to better understand the changing health of women and children across the country and state-by-state. Illinois dropped five spots and is now ranked 26th in 2018, compared with 21st in 2016 when this report was last issued. 

Key ILLINOIS findings since the last report in 2016 include:

• Drug deaths increased 23 percent from 9.8 to 12.1 deaths per 100,000 females aged 15-44
• Dental visits among women aged 18-44 increased 7 percent from 65.4 percent to 70.0 percent
• The state mPINC score increased 5 percent from 77 percent to 81 percent
• Infant mortality increased 2 percent from 6.2 to 6.3 deaths per 1,000 live births
• Meningococcal immunization among adolescents aged 13-17 increased 9 percent from 77.1 percent to 83.9 percent
• Teen suicide increased 27 percent from 6.3 to 8.0 deaths per 100,000 adolescents aged 15-19