Three criteria were considered when assigning definitions to measures. 1. What effect does a measure have on overall health? 2. Is the effect measured solely by this measure or is it included in other measures? 3. How reliable is the data supporting a measure?
The final definitions, presented below, are based on input from the experts in 1990 and 1991 and from input from the Scientific Advisory Committee and its continuing Methodology review. The definitions of the measures total 100 percent. The column labeled ``% of Total`` indicates the definition of each measure in determining the overall ranking. For example, prevalence of smoking is 7.5 percent of the America`s Health RankingsTM. The column labeled ``Effect on Score`` presents how each measure positively or negatively relates to the overall ranking. For example, a high prevalence of smoking has a negative effect on score and will lower the ranking of a state. An increase in the percent of high school graduates has a positive effect on score and will increase the overall ranking of a state.
Weight of Individual Measures
Name of Measure % of Total Effect on Score
DETERMINANTS
BEHAVIORS
Prevalence of Smoking 7.5 Negative
Prevalence of Binge Drinking 5.0 Negative
Prevalence of Obesity 7.5 Negative
COMMUNITY and ENVIRONMENT
High School Graduation 5.0 Positive
Violent Crime 5.0 Negative
Occupational Fatalities 2.5 Negative
Infectious Disease 5.0 Negative
Children in Poverty 5.0 Negative
Air Pollution 5.0 Negative
PUBLIC and HEALTH POLICIES
Lack of Health Insurance 5.0 Negative
Public Health Funding 2.5 Positive
Immunization Coverage 5.0 Positive
CLINICAL CARE
Prenatal Care 5.0 Positive
Primary Care Physicians 5.0 Positive
Preventable Hospitalizations 5.0 Negative
Poor Mental Health Days 2.5 Negative
Poor Physical Health Days 2.5 Negative
Geographic Disparity 5.0 Negative
Infant Mortality 5.0 Negative
Cardiovascular Deaths 2.5 Negative
Cancer Deaths 2.5 Negative
Premature Death 5.0 Negative
OVERALL HEALTH RANKING 100.0 -----
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