Louisiana’s health care system is in need of significant improvement. The state has seen an alarming increase in the number of citizens without health insurance, as well as a rise in hospital and medical facility closures. According to census data, Louisiana has the second-highest rate of uninsured individuals among all states in America. Furthermore, a recent survey conducted by the Louisiana Department of Health revealed that nearly half of all Louisiana residents do not have access to quality healthcare. This lack of quality care is further compounded by high rates of poverty and poor nutrition which can lead to long-term health issues. In order to better serve its residents, it is necessary for Louisiana to invest more resources into its local hospitals and medical facilities. These investments should include improving access to preventative services and providing financial assistance for those who cannot afford even basic care.
The health of a city has many different factors. It can refer to air quality, water quality, risk of getting respiratory disease or cancer. The people you live around can also affect your health as some places have lower or higher rates of physical activity, increased alcohol intake, smoking, obesity, and cancer rates.
Physicians per Capita
There are 195 physicians per 100,000 population in Louisiana. The US average is 210 per 100,000 people.
Health Cost Index
The annual BestPlaces Health Cost Index for the Louisiana area is 96.8 (lower=better). The US average is 100.
96.8 / 100
Example: 110 = 10% more expensive than national average.
Water Qualtiy Index
The annual BestPlaces Water Quality Index for the Louisiana area is 41 (100=best). The US average is 55.
41 / 100
Note that this is a measure of Watershed quality, not the water that comes from your faucet. The EPA has stated that a healthy watershed is closely related to drinking water quality. The EPA has a complex method of measuring watershed quality using 15 indicators such as pH, chemicals, metals, and bacteria.
Superfund Index
The annual BestPlaces Superfund Index for the Louisiana area is 87 (100=best). The US average is 87.
87 / 100
The EPA's Superfund program is responsible for cleaning up some of our nation's most contaminated land. Our index is based on the number of active Superfund sites (over 15,000 in the United States), with particular attention paid to those on the National Priorities List which pose the greatest health danger.
Quick Facts
Commuting can effect your health. The average person in Louisiana commutes 25.2 minutes one-way, which is shorter than the US average of 26.4 minutes.
Air Quality Index
The annual BestPlaces Air Quality Index for the Louisiana area is 50 (100=best). The US average is 58.
50 / 100
This is based on new measures of hazardous air pollutants from the EPA, called the National Air Toxics Assessment. This analysis models respiratory illness and cancer risk down to the zip code level, providing better detail and insight than the previous analysis based solely on results from air monitoring stations.