October is

Mental health, food insecurity and nutrition, physical activity, and cancer rates. All of these are important aspects of well-being we monitor to understand the health of Iowans across the state.

The question is…how are we doing?

Each week in October, we’ll talk about a different health topic. We’ll look at how Iowa is doing, what affects our health, and what we can do to feel better now and in the future.

We’ll also team up with other Iowa nonprofits to share helpful tips and show what they’re doing to help our state be healthier.

Join the conversation online with #HealthiestStateMonth and #HeyIowa to help spread the word!

Iowa sits in the middle of the rankings for many mental health statistics but poor access to mental health providers and increasing frequent mental distress and suicide rate are statistics to watch for Iowa.

of adults in Iowa reported symptoms of anxiety or depression.

42%

Iowa’s ranking nationally for access to mental healthcare providers (number per 100,000 population).

43rd

1 in 20 

adults have serious thoughts of suicide each year in Iowa.

A common saying in Iowa is that our state ‘feeds the world’, but how do we do feeding our selves? While Iowa has a below average prevalence of food insecurity, communities across the state still struggle with access to wholesome food, particularly in rural areas. For those that can access the food they need, our consumption of fruits and vegetables is below the national average.

of Iowans struggle with food insecurity.

12%

31st

Iowa’s ranking nationally for fruit and vegetable consumption.

41,500

Iowans live in a rural food desert.

With 37.8% of adults in Iowa dealing with obesity, it has never been more important to lower the barrier of entry for and encourage participating in physical activity. The costs of inactivity are disastrous for our individual health, our state economy and Iowa’s future. Ranking 43rd for physical activity among adults means Iowa needs a renewed focus on staying active and prioritizing physical health to ensure a healthy future for the state.

Iowa’s national ranking for the percentage of adults getting the necessary amount of physical activity.

43rd

25%

of Iowans do not engage in any physical activity outside of their regular jobs.

$5.3 Billion

the total cost of inactivity to the state of Iowa through lost worker productivity, increased medical costs and increased worker’s compensation.

More than 1 in 20 people have a diagnosis of cancer sometime in their life in Iowa, its no wonder the disease has become a hot topic in Iowa. So what is the full picture of cancer in Iowa, and what can be done about reversing the concerning trend? It’s time to talk about cancer in our state.

highest age-adjusted rate of new cancers diagnosed in the country.

2nd

of homes in Iowa are at or above the EPA’s action level for Radon, a national high.

71.6%

4th

highest incidence of alcohol-related cancers in the U.S.