State of the State

Health Brief: Childhood Obesity in Tennessee: Tennessee ranks #5 for most obese 10-17 year-olds and the consequences last far beyond their teen years

Updated June 20, 2017 Health briefs offer quick but comprehensive information about some of the biggest health challenges Tennessee is facing. Scroll down to read all about childhood obesity in our state or jump to a specific section: Definition Causes Long-term impact Solutions Infographics Health professionals consider the current situation an epidemic with long-term health consequences for these children as they get older. For example: Tennessee consistently ranks as one of the states with the highest rate of childhood obesity. according to the 2017 BCBS Health Index Report. Back to top How do you define childhood obesity? The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention uses Body Mass Index (BMI) to determine overweight and obesity. BMI for children takes into account […]
Health Brief: Hypertension in Tennessee: Nearly 40% of Tennessee adults have high blood pressure

High blood pressure, or hypertension, is called “the silent killer” because it often has no symptoms. One in 5 adults in the U.S. has high blood pressure but doesn’t know it.
Health Brief: Diabetes in Tennessee: As part of the diabetes belt, Tennessee has the 5th highest rates of diabetes in America

Nearly 13% of adults in Tennessee have diabetes. Only 9% in the U.S. do.
3 Communities Focus on Improving Health

In three Tennessee counties, the health challenges of obesity, inactivity and smoking are taking a serious toll: Madison County (Jackson) Coffee County (Tullahoma) McMinn County (Athens) So these communities are taking steps to promote better health habits, using tactics from diabetes education to fitness trails. Explore the numbers and solutions below. Note: Numbers show the percentage of the population in each area who are obese, physically inactive or smokers. Steps taken to promote better health habits Visit the BlueCross BlueShield Health Index to see how health conditions impact Tennessee.

3 Communities Focus on Improving Health: Facing steep health challenges, 3 Tennessee counties take steps to promote better health

In three Tennessee counties, the health challenges of obesity, inactivity and smoking are taking a serious toll: Madison County (Jackson) Coffee County (Tullahoma) McMinn County (Athens) So these communities are taking steps to promote better health habits, using tactics from diabetes education to fitness trails. Explore the numbers and solutions below. Note: Numbers show the percentage of the population in each area who are obese, physically inactive or smokers. Steps taken to promote better health habits Visit the BlueCross BlueShield Health Index to see how health conditions impact Tennessee.
Health Brief: Infant Mortality in Tennessee

Updated Sept. 8, 2017 Health briefs offer quick but comprehensive information about some of the biggest health challenges Tennessee is facing. Scroll down to read all about infant mortality in our state or jump to a specific section: Rates Causes Risk factors Solutions Impact Infographic Infant mortality refers to any baby who dies before his or her first birthday. The infant mortality rate is the number of children out of every 1,000 live births who die before turning one. Because the survival of babies is indicative of the health of populations as a whole, infant mortality rate is often used as a gauge of the well-being of a society. How common is infant mortality? In the U.S. In Tennessee Back […]

Health Brief: Infant Mortality in Tennessee: Babies in Tennessee are dying. What’s happening — and what we can do to change it.

Updated Sept. 8, 2017 Health briefs offer quick but comprehensive information about some of the biggest health challenges Tennessee is facing. Scroll down to read all about infant mortality in our state or jump to a specific section: Rates Causes Risk factors Solutions Impact Infographic Infant mortality refers to any baby who dies before his or her first birthday. The infant mortality rate is the number of children out of every 1,000 live births who die before turning one. Because the survival of babies is indicative of the health of populations as a whole, infant mortality rate is often used as a gauge of the well-being of a society. How common is infant mortality? In the U.S. In Tennessee Back […]
Infographic: Prescription Opioid Abuse In Tennessee

Examining the prescription painkiller epidemic in Tennessee

Infographic: Prescription Opioid Abuse In Tennessee: Examining the prescription painkiller epidemic in Tennessee

Examining the prescription painkiller epidemic in Tennessee
Infographic: Top 10 Causes of Death in Tennessee

Studies have found certain behaviors may contribute strongly to each of the top 10 causes of death in Tennessee. The graphic below shows these causes and the risk factors that may contribute to them.

Infographic: Top 10 Causes of Death in Tennessee: Lack of access to preventive health care contributes to our state's mortality

Studies have found certain behaviors may contribute strongly to each of the top 10 causes of death in Tennessee. The graphic below shows these causes and the risk factors that may contribute to them.
Infographic: Childhood Obesity in Tennessee

1 in 3 Tennessee kids is overweight. 1 in 5 is obese.

Infographic: Childhood Obesity in Tennessee: 1 in 3 Tennessee kids is overweight. 1 in 5 is obese.

1 in 3 Tennessee kids is overweight. 1 in 5 is obese.
Infographic: Health Challenges in Tennessee

The BlueCross Health Foundation is supporting organizations all over the state to address these health challenges facing 6.5 million Tennesseans.

Infographic: Health Challenges in Tennessee: 4 of the biggest health challenges facing our state

The BlueCross Health Foundation is supporting organizations all over the state to address these health challenges facing 6.5 million Tennesseans.