A recent study from the Birth Injury Lawyers Group analyzed data from the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) between 2021 to 2023 to find the percentage of children under 15 months who received the recommended number of well-child visits in each state. The study compiled this data to identify the top 10 U.S. states with the highest wellness-child visit rates, and revealed that Connecticut is the best state for newborn healthcare in the U.S.
Quick Highlights
- Connecticut has the highest well-child visits rate from 2021 to 2023.
- Massachusetts and Rhode Island rank second and third with a well-child visit rate of 74.10% and 71.40%, respectively.
- West Virginia recorded 13% of children with recommended well-child visits in 2023, the lowest in the U.S.
Methodology
The research analyzed the average percentage of children under 15 months who had the recommended number of well-child visits between 2021 and 2023, for each state, via the U.S. Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services. The study compared the data among the states to identify the top 10 U.S. states with the highest well-child visit rate.
State Highlights
Connecticut leads the nation with an average of 78.47% of children completing their recommended well-child visits between 2021 and 2023. In 2023, the Constitution State recorded a three-year high of 79.10% of children completing the recommended number of well-child visits, while 2022 reported the lowest (77.40%).
Massachusetts ranks second with an average of 74.10% of children completing their recommended well-child visits. Between 2021 and 2023, the Bay State reported 72.80% (2023) of children fulfilling the recommended number of well-child visits and the three-year peak of 75.90% (2020).
Rhode Island appears third, with an average of 71.40% of children completing their recommended well-child visits between 2021 and 2023. The Ocean State recorded 73.80% of children completing the recommended number of well-child visits, a three-year high, while 2022 reported the lowest (68.90%).
In fourth place, Vermont maintains an average of 70.60% of children completing their recommended well-child visits between 2021 and 2023. Over the study period, the Green Mountain State’s children fulfilling the recommended well-child visits peaked in 2023 (71.50%), with 2022 recording the lowest at 70.00%.
Pennsylvania claims the fifth spot with an average of 69.17% of children fulfilling the recommended well-child visits between 2021 through 2023. In 2021, the Keystone State recorded the highest number of children (74.30%) completing the recommended well-child visits, and 2022 recorded the lowest (65.20%).
New York (6th) reports an average of 66.67% of children completing the recommended well-child visits, followed by Hawaii (7th) at 64.10%, Nebraska (8th) at 63.23%, North Carolina (9th) at 61.97%, and Delaware (10th) at 61.93%.
Table for Extended Results
Looking at the study, a spokesperson from Birth Injury Lawyers Group commented,
“The data shows that states like Connecticut, Massachusetts, and Rhode Island consistently ensure that newborns from 0 to 15 months receive their well-child visits uninterrupted.
“These visits help healthcare providers to detect potential health issues before they become serious problems. Regular screenings for developmental delays, vision/hearing issues, and other conditions enable early intervention.
“The lawmakers and statesmen should focus on empowering underperforming states by extending health insurance coverage and eliminating barriers to enrollment for all children, regardless of income or immigration status.”
Newborn Healthcare in America
Other research for the top 10 states for newborn healthcare in America, based on studies by WalletHub, Forbes Advisor, and other organizations, includes Massachusetts, North Dakota, Minnesota, Rhode Island, New Hampshire, the District of Columbia, Maine, Vermont, Utah, and Washington. These states consistently rank high due to factors like low infant mortality rates, quality of neonatal hospitals, low healthcare costs, and family-friendly policies.
“The best states for having a baby minimize costs while providing top-notch care for both newborns and their mothers. They also continue to be good environments for parents even long after the birth,” Cassandra Happe, a WalletHub analyst, said in the study.
Here’s a more detailed look at some key factors why these states are considered top tier for newborn healthcare:
- Low Infant Mortality Rates: States like Massachusetts, Vermont, and Rhode Island have significantly lower infant mortality rates compared to the national average, indicating excellent prenatal and postnatal healthcare.
- High-Quality Neonatal Care: Many of these states boast exceptional neonatal hospitals, equipped to handle premature births and babies with health complications, which can be crucial for successful outcomes.
- Cost-Effectiveness: States like North Dakota and Minnesota often have lower healthcare costs, including hospital delivery charges and health insurance premiums, making childbirth more affordable for parents.
- Family-Friendly Policies: Many of these states have strong policies that support parents, including generous parental leave and childcare resources, creating a supportive environment for newborns and their families.
- High-Quality Medical Facilities: States like Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Maryland have access to top-rated hospitals and medical professionals, ensuring excellent care for mothers and newborns.
- Access to Care: States like Massachusetts and North Dakota have a high number of OB-GYNs and pediatricians per capita, ensuring easy access to prenatal and postnatal healthcare.
- Safety and Well-being: States like Washington, Minnesota, and Iowa also score well on factors like healthy lifestyle habits, vaccination rates, and low rates of low birth weight, contributing to the overall health of children.
From Best to Worst
For most people, having a baby is a joyful but stressful time, but the stress can be amplified by the cost increases that have been happening in recent years, which most insurance companies haven’t adjusted their plans to cover. Of course, these healthcare expenses can vary significantly from state to state, facility to facility, and even pregnancy to pregnancy. However, it is not just the cost that can make parents stressed; some states provide more accessibility and better-quality healthcare services, as well as some provide a better environment to care for children, and these, of course, can even vary from facility to facility, just like the disparities in the cost of living. In modern America, becoming a parent requires some financial preparedness.
“As any parent can tell you, children cost a lot of money. There are planned expenses, such as childcare, diapers, wipes, formula or breastfeeding supplies, toys, and furniture, etc. but also plenty of unplanned expenses. Unplanned expenses include healthcare costs in the event of illness or injury, school-related expenses (field trips and special activities), extracurricular activities, and more. Parents should ensure they have adequate health insurance for the family and keep some money in savings in event of an emergency or unplanned expense,” said Julia Kroeker, Ph.D. – Professor of Early Childhood Education – Florida SouthWestern State College.
This article was created using some of the graphs and information that were supplied by WalletHub and the Birth Injury Lawyers Group based in Phoenix, Arizona, serving 39 states.
As with anything you read on the internet, this article on child healthcare should not be construed as medical advice; please talk to your doctor or primary care provider before changing your wellness routine. WHN does not agree or disagree with any of the materials posted. This article is not intended to provide a medical diagnosis, recommendation, treatment, or endorsement. Additionally, it is not intended to malign any religion, ethnic group, club, organization, company, individual, or anyone or anything. These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration.
