Missouri next to last in overall state health

A recent report shows the dire state of Missouri's overall health spending.

The Show-Me State ranked 50th out of 51 states and the District of Columbia in the amount of spending on public health, according to a study released last week by the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation and the Trust for America's Health.

The state of Missouri spent $9.26 per person on public health in fiscal 2009, ranking ahead of only Nevada in per-person state spending. By comparison, Hawaii spent the most per person, at $169.92.

Missouri's low ranking is compounded by a larger trend of lackluster federal health funding for states in the Midwest, according to the report. Midwestern states received $16.50 per person in fiscal 2009, the least of any region. Northeastern states received the highest amount, at $19.80 per person, while Western states received $19.22 per person and Southern states received $19.75.

According to a news release from the Springfield-Greene County Health Department, a lack of adequate federal funding means "vital services that protect the community, including disease control and prevention, food and water safety, emergency preparedness and prevention services continue to face reductions in funding and lead to a reduction in services."

The report says that for every $1 spent on public health, there is a $5.60 return through less individual health care spending.[[In-content Ad]]