Posted on: Wednesday, November 13, 2002

EDITORIAL
Hawai'i cannot let its health reputation slip

Hawai'i's overall health ranking by the nonprofit United Health Foundation has dropped three pegs to 14th place since last year. That's too bad considering the state ranked third in the nation three times in the 1990s.

Of course, this doesn't necessarily mean the Aloha State is getting more unhealthy —though there are some troubling indicators, including an alarming child obesity rate and a rise in traffic deaths.

State Health Director Bruce Anderson reckons it's more a case of other states getting relatively healthier rather than Hawai'i's health declining. But he also points out that public health spending has barely changed in the past decade.

Health used to be a big priority in Hawai'i, which in 1972 passed a landmark pre-paid health insurance law that guaranteed health insurance benefits for most employed residents of the state.

In the 1990s, Gov. John Waihee worked hard to boost the Islands' reputation as the health state. At the time, Hawai'i boasted high longevity, low infant mortality and low morbidity rates for cardiovascular disease, cancer and emphysema. The pre-paid health insurance — a partnership of government, business and healthcare providers — covered more than 80 percent of the population.

If we want to return to great health, Hawai'i must invest in a number of areas, including mental health, substance-abuse programs and long-term healthcare. The bottom line is, Hawai'i cannot afford to let its healthy image slide. Among other things, a healthy Hawai'i benefits the visitor industry and our overall economic prospects.

It may take time to get to the United Health Foundation's top spot, but at least let's strive to get back into the top 10.