CT health care 5th best in nation, according to new study

Connecticut”™s health care system is the fifth strongest in the nation, according to a new report by private health care foundation the Commonwealth Fund.

The state improved in 18 of the 45 categories the foundation rates, worsened in six categories, and recorded little or no change in the remaining. Connecticut placed eighth in last year”™s tally.

Connecticut finished first in corporate wellness activity, sixth in access and affordability, and ninth in prevention and treatment. Most improved indicators were more adults taking an annual hemoglobin A1c test, fewer children classified as overweight or obese, and adults receiving all recommended vaccines. Indicators that worsened the most were hospital 30-day readmission rates for those aged 18-64, preventable hospitalizations for the same cohort, and drug poisoning deaths.

Hawaii remained at the top of the rankings, as did runner-up Massachusetts and third-place Minnesota. Washington State improved 10 places to take the fourth slot.

The bottom five were Arkansas, Nevada, Texas, Oklahoma and Mississippi.