A study on mortality and morbidity

Many people rely on the length and quality of life that our population experiences. Life insurance companies need accurate mortality predictions to estimate appropriate prices for policyholders. Politicians need to know how to improve the quality of life in their districts to better lobby for their constituents' interests. Even you and I both need to know what health factors can help us lead longer and happier lives. To understand what affects the length and quality of our lives, interest groups study the correlation between different health-related statistics. One such group is the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, who seeks to improve the health and health care of all Americans ("About RWJF"). To do so, they publish a County Health Rankings & Roadmaps report each year with the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute that ranks the health of each county in America based on a health outcome score. By doing so, this pairing hopes to solve health problems by creating healthier communities beyond the health care system ("About the Program"). The health outcome score mentioned is equally weighted between mortality (length of life) and morbidity (quality of life). To calculate it, data from three different variables is compiled: premature death, health-related quality of life, and birth outcomes. While these variables are important to determine the length and quality of life in our communities, I believe that others exist that can help us better predict our health outcomes. Fortunately, the County Health Rankings & Roadmaps also records data about many other county health factors. These include everything from the socio-economic status of the county, to the prevalence of sexually transmitted diseases or diabetes among its residents. All of this data though is not included in the calculation of the report's health outcomes scores. Therefore, 1 complete a regression on these health factors with the three variables that comprise the health outcome score to determine if any are correlated with mortality and morbidity. While my results will not conclude causation, I hope that they will spark conversation among health-oriented interest groups, and help the life insurance companies, the politicians, and you and I have a better understanding of our personal and community health.Thesis (B.?)Honors Colleg