slides: New National Ranking: How Sexually Healthy Is MA?

Friday, January 04, 2013

GoLocalWorcester Health Team

Massachusetts came in 4th place for sexual health in New England, according to the brand-new Sexual Health Rankings, just released this week.

The first-ever assessment of state-by-state data on 26 comprehensive health and services measures that speak to sexual health put the Bay State at #5 overall in the US, and #4 among New England states. Vermont was the #1 state in the country for sexual health, while Mississipi was the worst at #51. Variance, LLC, has produced the rankings in collaboration with The Center for Sexual Pleasure and Health, an education and advocacy organization based in Pawtucket, RI.

See how the numbers played out, below.

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Rhode Island #6 in NE

National rank: #19

Best national sexual health subrankings:

#1: Status of state laws addressing bias or hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity; Status of state laws imposing barriers to obtaining an abortion -- mandated counseling to discourage abortion, waiting period, ultrasound required; Status of sex education mandates and content requirements for contraception and STI/HIV education; Estimated vaccination coverage, ≥3 doses HPV, females aged 13-17 years

Worst national sexual health subranking:

#40: Percentage of women aged ≥25 years with high school diploma and higher education

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Maine #5 in NE

National rank: #6

Best national sexual health subrankings:

#1: Status of statewide employment, housing, and school non-discrimination laws and policies based on sexual orientation and gender identity; Status of state laws restricting private insurance coverage of abortion; Status of state laws imposing barriers to obtaining an abortion -- mandated counseling to discourage abortion, waiting period, ultrasound required; Status of sex education mandates and content requirements for contraception and STI/HIV education; Percentage of women aged 15-44 covered by Medicaid

Worst national sexual health subranking:

#38: Percentage of people aged 18-64 years who reported ever receiving a HIV test

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Massachusetts #4 in NE

National rank #5

Best national sexual health subrankings:

#1: Status of statewide employment, housing, and school non-discrimination laws and policies based on sexual orientation and gender identity; Status of state law on marriage equality for same-sex couples; Status of state laws addressing bias or hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity; Status of state laws on emergency contraception in hospital emergency departments; Status of state laws restricting private insurance coverage of abortion; Status of state laws imposing barriers to obtaining an abortion -- mandated counseling to discourage abortion, waiting period, ultrasound required; Percentage of women aged 15-44 uninsured

Worst national sexual health subranking:

#37: Estimated rate of AIDS diagnoses per 100,000 population

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New Hampshire #3 in NE

National rank #3

Best national sexual health subrankings:

#1: Births to mothers aged 15-19 years, rate per 1,000 population; Status of state law on marriage equality for same-sex couples; Status of state laws restricting private insurance coverage of abortion; Status of state laws imposing barriers to obtaining an abortion -- mandated counseling to discourage abortion, waiting period, ultrasound required; Percentage of people in poverty

Worst national sexual health subrankings:

#30: Percentage of schools in which teachers taught all 17 HIV, STD, or pregnancy prevention topics in a required course in any of grades 6, 7, or 8

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Connecticut #2 in NE

National rank #2

Best national sexual health subrankings:

#1: Status of statewide employment, housing, and school non-discrimination laws and policies based on sexual orientation and gender identity; Status of state law on marriage equality for same-sex couples; Status of state laws addressing bias or hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity; Status of state laws on emergency contraception in hospital emergency departments; Status of state laws imposing barriers to obtaining an abortion -- mandated counseling to discourage abortion, waiting period, ultrasound required

Worst national subcategory ranking:

#35: Estimated rate of AIDS diagnoses per 100,000 population

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Vermont #1 in NE

National rank #1

Best national sexual health subrankings:

#1: Estimated rate of AIDS diagnoses per 100,000 population; Cervical cancer incidence rate per 100,000 population, age adjusted; Status of statewide employment, housing, and school non-discrimination laws and policies based on sexual orientation and gender identity; Status of state law on marriage equality for same-sex couples; Status of state laws addressing bias or hate crimes based on sexual orientation and gender identity; Status of state laws restricting private insurance coverage of abortion; Status of state laws imposing barriers to obtaining an abortion -- mandated counseling to discourage abortion, waiting period, ultrasound required

Worst national subcategory ranking:

#35: Percentage of people aged 18-64 years who reported ever receiving a HIV test

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What is Sexual Health?

Defining terms

The ranking uses The World Health Organization's definition of sexual health as “a state of physical, emotional, mental and social well-being in relation to sexuality; it is not merely the absence of disease, dysfunction or infirmity. Sexual health requires a positive and respectful approach to sexuality and sexual relationships, as well as the possibility of having pleasurable and safe sexual experiences, free of coercion, discrimination and violence. For sexual health to be attained and maintained, the sexual rights of all persons must be respected, protected and fulfilled.”

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