Comparative Health Factors Among the States

Abstract

T HE PURPOSE of this study is to present a picture of conditions among the 48 states of the United States with respect to such interrelated factors as health conditions, sanitation, physical defects, medical facilities, economic resources and environmental forces. The health of a population depends upon many factors such as income, education, sanitary and medical facilities, culture, social control, climate and special phases of the environment.' Not only will analysis of these factors define the real health problems of the states but it will also shed light upon the health problem of the nation. Statistics as to health-related conditions are necessary materials for planning systems of medical care and sanitation. The present method is to select and test out statistics which may function as health indices among the states. Such indices are useful in making comparisons and evaluations with reference to both time and place. They are units of measurement for comparing and analyzing health conditions among regions, counties, cities and states and therefore, devices for discovering and defining existent problems. There are three major factors in health conditions: (i) The organic processesthese are the mental and physiological processes in the life-career of the organism which act upon the environment or else in response to environment influences; (2) The environmental influences and factorsconsisting of climate, food supply, infection and contagion, and the natural acts of others; and (3) The control agencies-these include both individual and social control and take concrete form in medical facilities, sanitary controls, health education and police powers to control contagion.