NCHS Releases Coverage Data from 2004-06
The National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS), an agency of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention published findings from the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) for 2004-2006. Findings described include national, regional, and state estimates of health insurance coverage.
Well over half the population under age 65 in the U.S. procured health insurance coverage from a private insurer, over 67.8 percent. Approximately 16.6 percent were uninsured during that time frame.
By state, the highest rate of uninsurance was in Texas, with 31.9 percent. The state with the lowest rate of uninsurance was Hawaii, where 10.4 percent of those between ages 18 and 65 were uninsured. Texas also had the highest rate of uninsured children at 18.7 percent, while Massachusetts had the lowest rate at 3.7 percent.
By region, the lowest rate of uninsurance was among those who resided in the New England area. Over 90 percent of residents in that area had some type of health coverage between 2004 and 2006. The region with the highest rate of uninsurance was in the Southwest. Almost 30 percent of adults were uninsured and 18.2 percent of children.
June 27, 2008 Related topics: Trends