MISSOURI – A recent study by the Commonwealth Fund classified states nationwide based on the quality of healthcare services provided to women.
The study, available here, examined women’s healthcare coverage and quality, as well as mental, reproductive, and maternal health, syphilis rates, COVID-19 impact, and domestic violence.
According to the study’s findings, Missouri was ranked as one of the lower-performing states for women’s health, coming in 40th out of 51.
As the seventh worst state for healthcare and reproductive care, Missouri had the eighth-highest rate of breast and cervical cancer deaths. Additionally, it had the sixth-lowest rate of Pap smear screenings for adult women, which are crucial for detecting cervical cancer.
In terms of mental health, Missouri had the third-highest rate of poor mental health among women aged 18 to 64, with many reporting “14 or more poor mental health days” in a month.
The study revealed that 1 in 10 women aged 19 to 63 in Missouri lacked health insurance, and nearly 1 in 5 skipped doctor’s visits due to cost concerns.
The number of maternity care providers in Missouri is 74 per 100,000 women of childbearing age, lower than the national average of 79 providers per 100,000 women.
Despite these challenges, Missouri excelled in low-risk cesarean births per 100 women and had a low rate of postpartum depression.
On the other hand, Illinois ranked above average for women’s healthcare, securing the 16th spot out of 50 states. States like Massachusetts, Vermont, and Rhode Island were among the top performers, while Nevada, Texas, and Mississippi were at the bottom.
Established in 1918, the Commonwealth Fund is a private foundation dedicated to promoting a high-performing and equitable healthcare system.
