State Health Assessment details priority health issues for Washingtonians

OLYMPIA -- The Department of Health released the Washington State Health Assessment today, which identifies and prioritizes issues that affect the health of Washingtonians.
“This report identifies pressing health issues and health disparities we’re facing as a state,” said Cathy Wasserman, state epidemiologist for non-infectious conditions.
The report’s findings help guide and align prevention and intervention efforts and shape the upcoming State Health Improvement Plan.
The report identifies population, environment, and social changes that impact health and lists 27 key health issues such as infant mortality, drug overdose and nonmedical use of pain relievers, and access to health care.
While Washington has similar or better health outcomes than the U.S. overall, when we look more closely, the data show important disparities across race and ethnic groups, and by income and education.
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