Understanding Women’s Health and Well-Being in Utah
Health and wellness are vital components of women’s quality of life and overall happiness, a sentiment that resonates nationwide and especially within the state of Utah. A recent report by SmileHub titled “Best States for Women’s Health” assessed each of the 50 states through 18 crucial health metrics. While it’s essential to grasp national trends, it is equally important for Utah women to evaluate how our state measures up on these health indicators.
Current Ranking Overview
Fortunately, Utah is not languishing at the bottom of the rankings, as seen in WalletHub’s annual listing of the Best & Worst States for Women’s Equality. Although we ranked 31st out of 50, the placement leaves much room for improvement. Leading states like Massachusetts, Hawaii, and New Jersey scored above 67 points out of 100, while states such as Oklahoma and Texas fell below 35 points. Utah achieved a score of 49.78 points, indicating we have progress yet to make.
Evaluation Categories
SmileHub’s rankings were divided into three primary categories: Health and Living Standards (45 points), Health Care Policies and Support Systems (35 points), and Safety (20 points). They derived the data from reputable sources including the U.S. Census Bureau, CDC, and the National Domestic Violence Hotline. Though not included in their published report, I obtained more detailed statistics directly from SmileHub, which I am eager to share with you.
Health & Living Standards
Utah excels in women’s Health & Living Standards, currently ranking 5th nationally. Below are the specific rankings within this category (1=Best State, 50=Worst State):
- Women’s Life Expectancy at Birth: 17
- Female Uninsured Rate: 33
- Women in Good or Better Health: 9
- Women’s Preventive Health Care: 46
- Physically Active Women: 2
- Women Who are Obese: 9
- Maternal Mortality Rate: 5
- Heart Disease Mortality Rate for Women: 2
- Female Smoker Rate: 1
Health Care Policies & Support Systems
In contrast, Utah ranks 42nd regarding women’s Health Care Policies and Support Systems, driven by the following indicators:
- Health & Wellness Charities per Total Number of Women: 44
- Quality of Women’s Hospitals: 15
- Women Ages 18-44 Reporting Personal Healthcare Provider: 39
- Abortion Policies & Access: 30
- Affordability of Doctor’s Visits: 37
- Domestic Violence Support Services per Total Number of Women: 27
Safety Concerns
Utah’s safety ranking is alarming, sitting at 49th for women’s safety based on the following:
- Suicide Rate for Women: 45
- Depression Rate for Women: 49
- Prevalence of Rape Victimization Among Females: 45
Area of Concern
While Utah has notable achievements, particularly in women’s health metrics like lower maternal and heart disease mortality rates, the statistics on women’s safety give cause for serious concern. For instance, Utah ranked 9th in age-adjusted suicide rates in 2020, with women experiencing a particularly high prevalence. WalletHub’s latest findings rank us 39th for female suicide rates in 2024, declining to 45th in 2025, a distressing trend that needs attention.
Furthermore, Utah ranks 49th for women’s depression rates, indicating a critical need for mental health support. Recent data shows that 32.1% of adult women in Utah have experienced clinically diagnosed depression, significantly higher than the 16.3% for men. This raises a pressing question about the support systems in place for women’s mental health.
Lastly, the prevalence of rape victimization is another troubling aspect, as Utah ranks 45th for this indicator. There is an acute need for enhanced initiatives to raise awareness and support for sexual assault prevention, an issue I addressed in a recent opinion piece.
Conclusion
While these rankings present a fragmented view of women’s status in Utah, they are instrumental in identifying areas for improvement. By gathering comprehensive data and fostering informed discussions, we can work towards empowering women and girls in our community, ultimately benefiting Utah families and society as a whole.
