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State Profile

Kentucky

Population (2019): 4.467 million

Kentucky’s public health outcomes generally lag those of the United States, and it has not taken several steps that would strengthen its preparedness for public health emergencies. Deaths owed to drug misuse, alcohol, or suicide outpace the country as a whole. 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, as rates of diabetes and hypertension rank high. Finally, the state achieved a score of three out of a possible 10 measures of public health preparedness for diseases, disasters, and bioterrorism.

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Kentucky at a glance

48.5

Percent of population (age 6 months or older) who received seasonal flu vaccination, 2021-22

Low Tier

Public health emergency preparedness performance tier (High, Middle, Low), 2022

40.3

Percent of adults who have hypertension, 2021

13.9

Percent of adults who have diabetes, 2021

23.8

Percent of children age 10-17 who have obesity, 2019-20

40.3

Percent of adults who have obesity, 2021

82.8

Deaths related to alcohol, drugs, or suicide (per 100,000), 2020

17.7

Suicide deaths (per 100,000), 2020

51.5

Drug-related deaths (per 100,000), 2020

14.6

Alcohol-related deaths (per 100,000), 2020

Data in Detail

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Kentucky

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

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