USA Health/Poverty

2014 U.S. State Data demonstrates relationships between health markers and poverty levels



To visualise the data, please select from the various headings of Poverty, Age, Household Income, Obesity, Smokers, and Without Healthcare. Each selection shifts the State data represented in circles on the graph. The small circles can then be selected or hovered over to view the specific values for that state.

When selecting poverty and absence of healthcare one can find two extremes. Texas, at the top of the graph, has a poverty rate of 17.2% with 24.9% of the population living without healthcare, and Massechusetts having a poverty rate of 11.6%, yet only a 4% rate without healthcare.

For additional background, in 2006 a healthcare refrom was passed in Massechusetts with the aim to provide coverage to 100% of it's residents. Conversely, it would be interesting to calculate the poverty level in Massechusetts prior to 2006 to identify whether this coverage improved the state's rate of poverty.

Additionally, even in 2019, Texas, with one of the highest participating rates in Healthcare.gov (over 1 million), continues to experience a decrease in the participation each year, with the state taking legal action against the Affordable Care Act (ACA).

When shifting view and selecting Age instead of Poverty, one may note that the majority of those without healthcare are in the 35 - 45 age range. However, one may also find when selecting Obesity and Smokers, the findings do not necessarily shift the average age range by a noticeable amount.