UW Report Looks At Changes In Various Health Indicators In Wisconsin

A new report on various health indicators shows binge and heavy drinking in Wisconsin is on a downward trend, but that adult obesity is on the rise.

The 10-year assessment from the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute looked at 20 health indicators in total. It found that premature death is declining, as is smoking and excessive drinking.

Institute Director Karen Timberlake said these encouraging trends are not occurring evenly throughout different groups. For instance, excessive drinking is declining twice as fast among Hispanics, Asians and American Indians than it is among whites or blacks.

“So we have some work to do to make sure that the gains in health that are being experienced by some in our state are being shared by all,“ said Timberlake.

The report also looked at rates of obesity and low-birth-weight infants, both of which have gotten worse over time.