News Release
July 30, 1996

Michigan Above National Average In 10 Health Indicators

Michigan citizens are healthier than U.S. citizens in 10 of 18 major indicators of health, including the rates for infectious diseases due to AIDS, syphilis and tuberculosis, according to a recent report from the national Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

The report, 1996 Michigan State Health Profile, is one of a series of reports highlighting the leading causes of death and disability in each of the 50 states.

The rates of births to adolescents and prenatal care are also better in Michigan than for the nation as a whole and deaths due to suicide and breast cancer are also lower. Michigan has fewer traumatic occupational and motor vehicle-related fatalities as well as better air quality while its rates for lung cancer deaths and measles hover at about the national average.

"We are pleased that national findings show that we are making progress in our efforts to upgrade the health of Michigan residents, but there is more to be done," said James K. Haveman, Jr., Director of the Michigan Department of Community Health. "When we become successful in helping people to improve their lifestyle, then we'll see even more progress."

Trends confirm that Michigan is moving in the right direction, but the state needs to continue to reduce rates of infant mortality, low birth weight babies and cardiovascular disease deaths. Due in part to programs targeting infant mortality and heart and stroke disease, Michigan is improving in each of these areas. The state's homicide rate has also moved in the right direction. Michigan has seen no significant changes in measures of childhood poverty and cancer deaths.