Locations
United States
Health rank
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Definition and Source
PROVIDER
Definition
Health Ranks for 2012–2017 for each state using a consistent set of health indicators; namely those used to derive the rank reported in the 2012–2017 KIDS COUNT Data Books.
The Health Rank for each state was obtained in the following manner. First, using the 2017 KIDS COUNT Data Book to demonstrate, we converted the 2015 (or 2013/2014, depending on the indicator) state numerical values for each of the 4 key indicators within each domain into standard scores. We summed those standard scores in each domain to get a total standard score for each state. Finally, we ranked the states on the basis of their total standard score by domain in sequential order from highest/best (1) to lowest/worst (50). Standard scores were derived by subtracting the mean score from the observed score and dividing the amount by the standard deviation for that distribution of scores. All measures were given the same weight in calculating the domain standard score.
The Health Rank for each state was obtained in the following manner. First, using the 2017 KIDS COUNT Data Book to demonstrate, we converted the 2015 (or 2013/2014, depending on the indicator) state numerical values for each of the 4 key indicators within each domain into standard scores. We summed those standard scores in each domain to get a total standard score for each state. Finally, we ranked the states on the basis of their total standard score by domain in sequential order from highest/best (1) to lowest/worst (50). Standard scores were derived by subtracting the mean score from the observed score and dividing the amount by the standard deviation for that distribution of scores. All measures were given the same weight in calculating the domain standard score.
Data Source
Population Reference Bureau, analysis of data gathered for the 2012-2017 KIDS COUNT Data Books.
Notes
Updated June 2017.
Last Updated
June 2018