A new poll finds as the number of Kentuckians living in poverty goes up, the number of people who say they are in good health goes down.
The Kentucky Health Issues Poll says just over 40% of Kentuckians said they are in good or excellent health. In 2008, 49% of people reported being in good or excellent health. The poll said people who make more money have consistently reported having better health since the organization started the poll in 2008. Nearly 60% of Kentucky adults in the highest income category said their health was excellent or good, while only 25% of adults living in poverty described their health as good.
“We know there is a direct relationship between income and good health, and these data reflect that,” stated Dr. Susan Zepeda, President/CEO of the Foundation for a Healthy Kentucky. “While changes in our healthcare delivery system may provide more healthcare opportunities for low income Kentuckians, these results show how vital a strong economy, and jobs that pay well, are to our population’s health.”
