Oregon bucks national trend, becomes less healthy


According to a study by United Health Foundation, the Beaver State took a step back in health rankings.

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BY JACOB PALMER | DIGITAL NEWS EDITOR

According to a study by United Health Foundation, the Beaver State took a step back in its health rankings.

Oregon fell from No. 12 last year to 20th this year as fewer children were vaccinated and more people reported being a smoker.

“It’s unusual to fall or rise that dramatically over the course of a year,” said Dr. Rhonda Randall, a senior adviser to the foundation.

The report, “America’s Health Rankings,” rates states on a wide range of factors, including crime, immunizations, availability of health care professionals and disease and deaths.

Oregon’s ranking was hurt by an increase in childhood poverty, which affects nearly 20 percent of the youth, the report said. The state was also hit with a surge in whooping cough cases and an increase in disparity in health status by education level.

(READ MORE: OregonLive.com)

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