UTopiAH. This is Part of a series for comparing census based life expectancy and death rate tables, ranking states by how long we live, from 1960 to 2015. Included are medical conditions rating Utah’s #1 health rankings. Since 2012 state rankings are now correlated to voting in the 2012 and 2016 presidential elections, with blue states on top, and red states at the bottom. Utopia is Sir Thomas More’s (1516) perfect place to live, and with a slight variation in spelling, perfectly describes Utah.

Alma 10 verse 7 – and the blessing of the Lord shall rest upon thee and thy house.

Part One 1995-2017 ranks for UTopiAH’s Health by United Health Foundation with data from Center for Disease Control.

For fifty years, life expectancy, was based on the census taken every ten years. States were rank ordered based on the longevity of their residents’ lives. Longevity has been the basis for 1) commercial uses, 2) health programs, 3) governmental budgets, and 4) forward planning. 1) Commercial uses include a) annuity tables for retirement investments – how long the annuity will be needed to provide a life time income? and hence its cost; b) life insurance tables for payment of death benefits and when death benefits will be due, and hence the premium for the insurance; c) population growth, long term care. 2) Health programs use include age related maladies and hospitalization. 3) Governmental budgets include Medicare, Medicaid, Affordable Care Act so called Obamacare, development, public health, education, transportation, and national security. 4) Forward planning includes water resources, urban planning, social services, and family growth.   Progress or decline in life expectancy, takes decades.   For instance noting that Utah’s life expectancy ranked 6^th in 1960, Utah climbed to 2^nd in 1970, back to 3^rd in 1980, and topped out to 1^st by 1990. It is even harder to move among ranks the larger the population in the State. California’s population is ten times Utah’s. California’s life expectancy ranked 19^th in 1960 census, climbed to 14^th in 1970, 18^th in 1980, and dropped back to 32^nd in 1990 (calculated in 2004). Sifting through hundreds of millions of records took 14 years from 1990 to 2004.

Beginning by 2012, life expectancy rankings were changed to ‘age adjusted’ death rates, which just happened to correlate to states’ Presidential election voting. How did this work? By 2018, after the 2016 election, the new vital statistic results were released, with Blue states filling all 10 slots in the top quintile, and Red states filling the bottom quintile. Essentially, the population from the census was ignored, being reformulated to get specific results. From its 1^st rank in 1990 (as a Red state, Utah collapsed to 10^th for 2001 (as determined in 2012), and 13^th for 2014 (as determined in 2018). From its 1^st ranks in 1960 and 1970, 2^nd rank in 1980 and 3^rd rank in 1990,   Red state North Dakota, dropped to 5^th for 2000 (as determined in 2012), and 12^th for 2014 (as determined in 2018).   Blue state California’s life expectancy leaped from 32^nd in 1990 (the 3^rd quintile) to 8^th for 2001 (the top qunitile, as determined in 2012) , and 3^rd for 2014 (as determined in 2018). Are life expectancy ranks now determined, not by census counts, but by political results and preferences of the statistions?

For over a half century, Utah traditionally ranked in the top quintile of 50 states in major health categories, such as low cancer rates, and health. This is great.

Consider these State Rankings. Recent Births to Unmarried Women 2011. Utah ranked 1^st (best or lowest rate) Oklahoma ranked 40^th.  http://www.census.gov/prod/2013pubs/acs-21.pdf (accessed 21 July 2018)

State Rankings. Infant Mortality Rate 2005. Utah ranked best, Oklahoma ranked 11^th

https://www.census.gov/2010census/popmap/ipmtext.php?fl=49 (accessed 21 July 2018)

https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/pressroom/sosmap/infant_mortality_rates/infant_mortality.htm (accessed 21 July 2018)

For 2005, Utah was #1, best, as fewest 4.7 infant deaths per 1,000 live births. A total of 230 deaths, for 48,936 live births. For infant mortality rate in 2005 Utah ranked 50^th (best), and Oklahoma ranked 11^th. As Utah was #1, with fewest infant deaths, Utah saved 20 Deacons quorums a year, and as there are 19 temples, operating, under construction, or announced in Utah, that is more than one Deacons quorum every year in each temple district. That is 200 deacons quorums (or Bee Hives) in a decade, or a thousand deacons quorums between 1960 and 2010. This is just considering infant deaths between what the Utah experienced, and what Oklahoma might have experienced.

For White male life expectancy at birth (see Table 3): States in the West generally recorded the largest improvements in ranks from 1960 to 1990: Utah (rank started at 6^th in 1960, and moved to 1^st best of 50 states). States in South declined in rank, most notably, Oklahoma rank 12^th in 1960 and dropped to 38^th in 1990. [4 Census reports ]

https://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0049/twps0049.html#c (Accessed 21 July 2018)

United Health Foundation America’s Health rankings 2012 Smoking – Utah ranked 1^st (lowest smoking rate in nation – best), Oklahoma 47^th

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/utah (Accessed 21 July 2018) #1 Low Smoking Rate. Data Powered by McKinsey&Company. 1 Apr 2017

United Health Foundation America’s Health rankings Smoking by State Percentage of adults who are smokers (reported smoking at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime and currently smoke every or some days)   2016 annual report. Utah #1, at 9.1% (lowest smoking rate in nation – best), US average 17.5%

http://assets.americashealthrankings.org/app/uploads/ahr16-complete-v2.pdf  (accessed 21 July 2018)

United Health Foundation America’s Health rankings 2012 Diabetes – Utah ranked 1^st fewest or lowest, Oklahoma ranked 43^rd.

United Health Foundation America’s Health rankings 2012 cancer deaths – Utah ranked 1^st  fewest.

United Health Foundation America’s health rankings Cancer Deaths by State. Cancer is the second-leading cause of death. More than 1.6 million new cancer cases and 585,000 cancer deaths occur annually. Lung, prostate, breast, and colorectal cancers contribute substantially to cancer mortality. Quitting smoking at any age lowers the risk of developing lung cancer. However, lung cancer does not only develop in those who smoke; an estimated 7,300 people die from lung cancer caused by secondhand smoke annually. Deaths from breast cancer, colorectal cancer, and cervical cancer may be avoided through screening programs that detect cancer in early stages while it is most susceptible to treatment. The direct medical cost of cancer was $88.7 billion in 2011.

Deaths due to ALL causes of cancer per 100,000 population. 2016. Utah #1 lowest at 149.3, U.S. average 189.9. Page 60-61.

http://assets.americashealthrankings.org/app/uploads/ahr16-complete-v2.pdf (accessed 21 July 2018)

Comment – At the 187^th General conference, two of the speakers relayed the story of the sister who had an issue of blood for 12 years who just wanted to touch Jesus’ robe. When she did, after noting virtue or power had gone out from him, he said ‘thy faith hath made thee whole.’  The same can be said for many Utah residents, as their faith hath made them whole. We can even calculate the numbers. As Utah’s death rate for 2015 from cancer was the lowest in the nation at 149.3  per hundred thousand residents, and the national average is about 40 deaths higher at 189.9, by having faith in the health rules of the Gospel of Jesus Christ, many lives were spared. How many? Multiply 40 times 30 (30 sets of 100 thousand each, from 3 million population), or 1200 Utahns are alive for 2016, as compared to the U.S. average. Their faith hath made them whole. Were they grandparents with more time for their grandchildren? or children who are growing up?  1200 fewer families had funerals.  Many blessings were had, and they may not even have been aware of them. The survivors may not get a few verses in the new Testament, but their numbers are just as sacred as the story from long ago.

United Health Foundation America’s health rankings 2012 High Blood Pressure -Utah ranked 1^st (best), Oklahoma 42^nd http://www.americashealthrankings.org/UT/2012 (accessed 21 July 2018)

United Health Foundation America’s health rankings 2012 Youth smoking – Utah ranked 1^st, Oklahoma 40^th

United Health Foundation America’s health rankings 2013 Senior smoking – Utah ranked 1^st, Oklahoma 46^th http://www.americashealthrankings.org/senior/UT/2013 (accessed 21 July 2018)

United Health Foundation America’s health rankings Smoking (% of adults) Utah #1 2016 report. P. 134 http://assets.americashealthrankings.org/app/uploads/ahr16-complete-v2.pdf

Chronic Drinking Annual Report, Utah #2 at 3.6%, United States at 6 %. Percentage of adults who reported having eight or more (women) or 15 or more (men) drinks per week. The 2016 ranks are based on 2015 Behavior Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS) self-report data. PUBLIC HEALTH IMPACT:

Chronic drinking, or heavy drinking, is defined as consuming eight or more drinks for women or 15 or more drinks for men per week Drinking in excess for prolonged periods of time greatly increases the risk of developing health problems such as liver disease, high blood pressure, heart disease, stroke, some cancers, and unintentional injuries. Excess alcohol consumption in youth can increase risk of potential alcohol dependence. Chronic drinking is a symptom of alcohol addiction or alcoholism but is not an exclusive behavior of alcohol dependence.  On average, 30 years of life are lost to those who die due to excessive alcohol consumption.  In 2010 excessive drinking cost the United States $249 billion, due to missed work, additional health care expenses, and increased crime.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/health/wellness/the-city-in-every-state-with-the-heaviest-drinking/ss-BBFp9OE?li=BBnb7Kz&ocid=mailsignout (accessed 21 July 2018).

            The City in Every State with the Heaviest Drinking

A recent study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention found that excessive alcohol consumption cost the U.S. economy an estimated $250 billion in 2010 — primarily in lost productivity, medical bills, and motor vehicle accidents.

Excessive alcohol consumption, according to the CDC, includes binge drinking — defined as four or more drinks in a single occasion for women and five or more for men — and heavy drinking, which is defined as at least eight drinks per week for women and 15 for men.

An estimated 18% of American adults drink excessively. However, binge and heavy drinking rates are not uniform across the country and can vary greatly from state to state and city to city. Across U.S. metro areas, excessive drinking rates range from fewer than 1 in every 10 adults to more than 1 in every 4 adults.

44. UTAH

> City: Salt Lake City, UT
> MSA adults binge or heavy drinking: 15.2% (bottom 25%)
> State adults binge or heavy drinking: 12.4% (3rd lowest)
> Alcohol related driving deaths: 20.6% (bottom 10%)

According to a study by Utah state government and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, some 62.8% of Utah residents are Members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, by far the largest share of any state. Alcohol is largely forbidden in the Sants faith, which may be one reason why just 12.4% of adults in Utah binge drink or drink heavily, the third smallest share of any state. In the Salt Lake City metro area, some 15.2% of adults report excessive drinking, the largest share in Utah yet below the 18.0% national excessive drinking rate.

The relatively low of binge and heavy drinking in the state helps reduce the rate of alcohol related fatalities. While nationwide 10.3 in every 100,000 Americans die from causes related to alcohol annually, in Utah the alcohol-induced mortality rate is 6.2 deaths per 100,000 residents. . Subtracting 6.2 deaths from 10.3 deaths is 4.1 deaths, times 30 (3 million divided by 100 thousand) or 123 fewer deaths annually state wide, 6 per temple district, annually.

http://www.americashealthrankings.org/explore/2016-annual-report/measure/chronic_drinking/state/UT (accessed 21 July 2018).

United Health Foundation America’s health rankings. Behaviors Total Utah #1. 2016 Report. Combined ranking of Drug Deaths per 100,000 Population, #47, Excessive alcoholic Drinking % of adults #3, High School Graduation % of Students #26, Obesity % of adults #6, Physical inactivity % of adults #5, Smoking % of adults #1.

http://assets.americashealthrankings.org/app/uploads/ahr16-complete-v2.pdf (accessed 21 July 2018).

United Health Foundation America’s health rankings.   Smoking (% of adults) Utah #1 2015 report.   p.126. http://assets.americashealthrankings.org/app/uploads/2015ahr_annual-v1.pdf (accessed 21 July 2018).

United Health Foundation America’s health rankings Behaviors Total Utah #1. 2015 Report. Combined ranking of Drug Deaths per 100,000 Population, #46, Excessive Drinking % of adults #3, High School Graduation % of Students #25, Obesity % of adults #6, Physical inactivity % of adults #3, Smoking % of adults #1. p.126.

http://assets.americashealthrankings.org/app/uploads/2015ahr_annual-v1.pdf (accessed 21 July 2018).

United Health Foundation America’s health rankings Diabetes % of adult Population Utah #1 2015. p.126. Diabetes, the nation’s seventh-leading cause of death, has three major types: type 1, type 2, and gestational. It is a chronic condition that contributes to other leading causes of death, including heart disease and stroke. Diabetes is a leading cause of kidney failure, nontraumatic lower- limb amputations, and blindness in adults. Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90% to 95% of all cases. Onset of type 2 diabetes can be prevented through improving diet, increasing physical activity, and losing weight. Medical expenses for individuals with diabetes are 2.3 times higher than those without diabetes. Costs of type 1, type 2, gestational, undiagnosed diabetes, and prediabetes exceeded $322 billion in 2012.   P.63

http://assets.americashealthrankings.org/app/uploads/2015ahr_annual-v1.pdf

(accessed 21 July 2018).

United Health Foundation America’s health rankings Cancer Deaths per 100,000 population Utah #1 . p.126. for 2015.

http://assets.americashealthrankings.org/app/uploads/2015ahr_annual-v1.pdf

(accessed 21 July 2018).

United Health Foundation America’s health rankings Smoking Percent of adult population Utah #1 LOWEST p.128, 2014

http://assets.americashealthrankings.org/app/uploads/americas-health-rankings-2014-edition.pdf (accessed 21 July 2018).

United Health Foundation America’s health rankings Children in poverty percent of children Utah #1 LOWEST p.128, 2014

http://assets.americashealthrankings.org/app/uploads/americas-health-rankings-2014-edition.pdf (accessed 21 July 2018).

United Health Foundation America’s health rankings Cancer deaths per 100,000 population Utah #1 LOWEST. p.128, for 2014

http://assets.americashealthrankings.org/app/uploads/americas-health-rankings-2014-edition.pdf (accessed 21 July 2018).

United Health Foundation America’s health rankings Smoking Percent of adult population Utah #1 LOWEST p. 116 2013.

http://assets.americashealthrankings.org/app/uploads/annualreport2013-r.pdf

(accessed 21 July 2018).

United Health Foundation America’s health rankings Cancer deaths per 100,000 population Utah #1. Utah #1 LOWEST p. 116 2013.

http://assets.americashealthrankings.org/app/uploads/annualreport2013-r.pdf

(accessed 21 July 2018).

United Health Foundation America’s Health rankings 1994 Overall. Utah ranked 1^st, Oklahoma 41^st.

United Health Foundation America’s Health rankings 1995 Overall. Utah ranked 1^st, Oklahoma 42^nd

United Health Foundation America’s Health rankings 1996 Overall. Utah ranked 1^st, Oklahoma 39^th.

United Health Foundation America’s Health rankings 1998 Overall. Utah ranked 1^st, Oklahoma 43^rd,

United Health Foundation America’s Health rankings 2002 Overall. Utah ranked 1^st, Oklahoma 48^th, http://www.americashealthrankings.org/UT/2002

(accessed 21 July 2018).

United Health Foundation America’s Health rankings 2013 Hospital Deaths Seniors – Utah ranked 1^st, Oklahoma 29^th,

United Health Foundation America’s Health rankings 2013 Hospital Readmissions Seniors – Utah ranked 1^st, Oklahoma 29^th, http://www.americashealthrankings.org/senior/UT/2013. (accessed 21 July 2018).

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/utah #1 Fewest Hospital Readmissions. Data Powered by McKinsey&Company. 1 Apr 2017 (accessed 21 July 2018).

http://health.usnews.com/health-care/best-hospitals/articles/best-hospitals-honor-roll-and-overview 2017 hospitals (accessed 21 July 2018).

3 decades ago, a UCLA researcher sampled thousands of California Saints and others about their health. Generally, the Saints life style meant they were significantly healthier, would have a life expectancy of a decade or more longer, with 50 percent lower cancer mortality. https://rsc.byu.edu/archived/latter-day-saint-social-life-social-research-lds-church-and-its-members/15-health-practices

‘’In 2013, Elder David F. Evans of the Seventy, then executive director of the Missionary Department, noted the annual mortality rate worldwide for young people in the same age range [19-22] was 205 deaths per 100,000, with the LDS missionary percentage less than one-twentieth of that number.’’ http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865686235/Mormon-missionary-electrocuted-by-live-wire-in-Guatemala.html  (accessed 21 July 2018).

Utah, where more than two-thirds of the residents are members of the restore Church of Jesus Christ, who eschew alcohol, ranked lowest for drunken-driving incidents, according to the [survey]. The rankings were based on statistics from the FBI, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the advocacy group Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the Kids Count Data Center and DrivingLaws.org.   2016 April 28 CarInsuranceComparison.com’s rankings, a site that allows people to compare insurance companies. ‘’These are the most dangerous states for drunken driving’’ Bari Jensen, USA TODAY, April 28, 2016

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/2016/04/28/survey-northern-states-worst-drunken-driving/83537526/  (accessed 21 July 2018).

The final rankings, which determines the worst state per category. Sources Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD), National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Federal Bureau of Investigation, KIDS COUNT Data Center, and DrivingLaws.org. [ Like bowling, higher score is best. 51 of 51.]

• Cost per Fatality by State (Drunk Driving Fatalities per 1,000,000 Population and Taxpayer Subsidy per Drunk Driving Fatality by State) 5.10
• Drunk Driving (Percentage of Fatal Crashes that Involved Alcohol) 17.85
• DUI Arrests (Arrests of Minors and Adults that were Driving Under the Influence (“DUI”) related per 1,000,000 Population) 7.25
• DUI Penalties (State Penalties for 1st-time DUI Offenders and Repeat DUI Offenders ranked against the Nation’s Average Penalties) 6.0

Laws/Statutes (Percentage of Drunk Driving Fatalities by State per State’s amount of Drunk Driving Laws and Statutes) 5.10

FINAL RANK WEIGHT ED #51 (best, fewest drunk driving fatalities)

http://www.carinsurancecomparison.com/most-dangerous-states-for-drunk-driving/#TableWeighted2016  (accessed 21 July 2018).

Gambling addiction. Utah has fewest gambling addicts of any state.

Nevada has the most gambling addicts. http://time.com/money/4322783/gambling-addiction-worst-states/ (accessed 21 July 2018). Gambling Addiction Facts –  ETHAN WOLFF-MANN  May 9, 2016

The likelihood of developing a compulsive gambling disorder is increased 23-fold amongst men and women who suffer from an alcohol abuse disorder.

Young adults in college settings are twice as likely to [be addicted]. It is currently estimated that roughly 7 percent of all American college students struggle with gambling addiction.

Roughly 50 percent of gambling addicts will commit crimes to support their addiction. http://nextchapteraddiction.com/gambling-addiction-stats-and-facts/

(accessed 21 July 2018).

2017. 20 times No. 1: BYU still Stone Cold Sober champ, offers year’s supply of chocolate milk. July 31, 2017 Deseret News. http://www.deseretnews.com/article/865685862/20-times-No-1-BYU-still-Stone-Cold-Sober-champ-offers-years-supply-of-chocolate-milk.html (accessed 21 July 2018). ‘Stone cold sober’ means the students say they consume the least alcohol in the nation,  *** over the 20 years since BYU first began to finish first, the campus has sold more than 5 million gallons of chocolate milk.

Research shows alcohol is used as a weapon in sexual assaults on American college campuses. EDsmart found that 0.35 percent [35 in 10,000] of students at the least religious universities experienced forcible sex offenses versus 0.01 percent [1 in 10,000] of students at the most religious schools, a 3,400 percent increase at the least religious schools.

Good health, good wealth. Utah, known as the Beehive State because its people are so industrious, proves its point with a convincing win in our 10^th annual Top States for Business ranking. Never before in our 10 years of keeping score has a state finished in the top half in each of our 10 categories of competitiveness. July 12, 2016

http://www.cnbc.com/2016/07/12/utah-is-americas-top-state-for-business-in-2016.html (accessed 21 July 2018).

Utah ranks 1^st in the nation for charitable donations, with 71 percent of Utahns reporting that they donate to charity each year.

Fodor’s Travel ranked Utah the number one place to visit in the entire world for 2016.

Utah loves its kids, and we have plenty of them! We’re consistently the top in the nation for children per capita.

The Corporation for National and Community Service has ranked Utah number one for volunteerism for 10 years in a row.

Wall Street 24/7 ranked Utah the number one state in the nation for business in 2016.

http://www.onlyinyourstate.com/utah/ut-is-number-one/  (accessed 21 July 2018).

Healthy workers lower health care costs, lower costs benefit business and employers. Sutherland Institute and the American Conservative Union Foundation found Utah ranks first in the nation for family prosperity from the Family Prosperity Index (FPI), which calculates economic and social factors that are indicative of family prosperity. Jan 17, 2017

https://www.ksl.com/?sid=42845734&nid=148 (accessed 21 July 2018).

Healthy employees save money. Pollina Corporate Real Estate has now voted Utah #1 of the Top 10 Pro Business States for four years in a row.

http://edcutah.org/news/2016/10/26/pollina-corporate-ranks-utah-1-pro-business-states  (accessed 21 July 2018).

Best States – US News & World Report – 1 April 2017.

https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/utah (accessed 21 July 2018).

Data Powered by McKinsey & Company Leading States Index. Last year [2016], Utah was the fastest-growing state. In 2010, Utah had the youngest population in the U.S. – one-third of its residents younger than 18. [Utah] also had the highest birth rate, with 86.7 births for every 1,000 women between the ages of 15 and 44.

Utah #1 Low Debt at Graduation.   1 April 2017

Government. Utah #1 Government Credit Rating, and Utah #1 Government Digitalization.

Employment , Utah #1 Job Growth, Utah #1 Employment, Utah #1 Gini Index. Higher Values represent more income inequality. Crime and Corrections

Utah #1 Low Prison Overpopulation.

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