Social and Economic Factors

Firearm Deaths The U.S. has seen an uptick in firearm deaths

over the last decade. In 2020, there were more than 45,000 deaths by gun violence, the highest number

recorded. Additionally, firearm deaths surpassed motor vehicle accidents as the leading cause

of death among children.

Among women ages 20-44, the firearm death rate (deaths per 100,000) increased 34% in Missouri, from 8.5 to 11.4 since 2015-2017. Among children ages 1-19, the rate increased in 11 states, led by 71% in Mississippi (5.9 to 10.1).

Adverse Childhood Experiences Adverse childhood experiences

(ACEs) are stressful or traumatic events that can impact children’s health and well-being throughout their lifespan. Early experiences

have a broad and profound impact on an individual’s development and subsequent emotional, cognitive, social and biological functioning.

Neighborhood Amenities Neighborhood amenities

offer individuals opportunities to socialize, play, exercise and enjoy the neighborhood in which they live. There is evidence that safe neighborhoods with opportunities for and access to community engagement and healthy lifestyle habits contribute

positively to physical and mental health.

Unemployment A stable and well-paying job makes it possible for people to maintain

good health. Unemployment among women decreased between 2017 and 2019 but spiked in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The rate among women peaked

at 15.4% in April of 2020, higher than the overall unemployment rate of 14.7%. Working women composed the majority of the 4.2 million Americans

who left the labor force in 2020, with Hispanic and Black women experiencing a sharper decline in employment. By August 2022, the unemployment rate among women had declined

to 3.3%.