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State Profile

Kentucky

Population (2023): 4,526 million

Kentucky’s public health outcomes and emergency preparedness are generally worse than other states. According to TFAH’s 2024 Ready or Not: Protecting the Public’s Health from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism report, the state placed in the low performance tier for public health emergency preparedness. Deaths within the state due to drug misuse, alcohol, or suicide outpace the country as a whole. Based on the 2022 data, its rates of obesity and related conditions indicate an area of concern, with the percentage of adults with obesity higher than the U.S. median. In addition, rates of diabetes and hypertension also rank higher than the U.S. median.

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State Related News

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Mar 2024 New Report Measures States’ Emergency Preparedness and Recommends Policy Actions to Strengthen the Nation’s Public Health System and Emergency Preparedness
Oct 2023 The State of Obesity: Creating Pathways to a Healthier America Livestream Event
Sep 2023 New Report: Rates of Adult Obesity Continue to Climb, Particularly in Communities Experiencing Barriers to Healthy Eating and Few Opportunities for Physical Activity

Kentucky at a glance

40.1

Percent of population (age 6 months or older) who received seasonal flu vaccination, 2022-23

Low Tier

Public health emergency preparedness performance tier (High, Middle, Low), 2023

40.3

Percent of adults who have hypertension, 2022

15.0

Percent of adults who have diabetes, 2022

25.5

Percent of children age 10-17 who have obesity, 2020-21

37.7

Percent of adults who have obesity, 2022

89.1

Deaths related to alcohol, drugs, or suicide (per 100,000), 2021

17.9

Suicide deaths (per 100,000), 2021

55.6

Drug-related deaths (per 100,000), 2021

13.2

Alcohol-related deaths (per 100,000), 2021

Data in Detail

Discover Kentucky

Check these TFAH reports for latest state-specific data:

Ready or Not 2024: Protecting the Public’s Health from Diseases, Disasters, and Bioterrorism Read More
The Impact of Chronic Underfunding on America’s Public Health System: Trends, Risks, and Recommendations, 2023 Read More
Pain in the Nation 2023: U.S. Death Rate Due to Alcohol, Drugs, and Suicide ncreased by 11 Percent in 2021 Read More
State of Obesity 2023: Better Policies for a Healthier America Read More

Spotlight On

Kentucky

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Kentucky Injury Prevention and Research Center’s Work to Prevent Substance Misuse

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