- Illinois Ranks 28th in Overall Health, up one spot from last year's Rankings

- Overall U.S. health did not improve between 2010 and 2011, a marked drop from the average annual 1.6-percent rate of improvement seen in the 1990s

- 2011 is the first year that no state had an obesity prevalence under 20 percent

( CHICAGO, IL, Dec. 6, 2011 ) — The 2011 America's Health Rankings®, released today by United Health Foundation in collaboration with the American Public Health Association and Partnership for Prevention, finds that troubling nationwide increases in obesity, diabetes and children in poverty are offsetting improvements in smoking cessation, premature deaths, preventable hospitalizations and cardiovascular deaths. The report finds that the country's overall health did not improve between 2010 and 2011 — a drop from the 0.5-percent average annual rate of improvement between 2000 and 2010 and the 1.6-percent average annual rate of improvement seen in the 1990s.

UnitedHealthcare watches America's Health Rankings closely to help understand the health care needs of individuals and communities nationwide and in Illinois and has several programs in place designed to address these needs.

"America's Health Rankings from United Health Foundation is an incredibly valuable tool for us to clearly understand health trends facing us as a nation and here in Illinois," said Thomas Wiffler, CEO of UnitedHealthcare of Illinois. "By identifying the key opportunities we face as a state we can pursue innovative solutions to those opportunities."

Illinois' Bill of Health

According to the 22nd Edition of America's Health Rankings, Illinois is 28th this year compared to 29th in 2010 when compared with the health of other states. This year's report finds that, just like every other state, Illinois has its share of strengths and challenges.

Illinois' Strengths

High use of early prenatal care — 8th ( 86.3 percent with visit during the first trimester )

Ready availability of primary care physicians — 11th ( 129.6 per 100,000 population )

Moderate rate of high school graduation — 15th ( 80.4 percent of incoming 9th graders graduate within four years )

Illinois' Challenges

High prevalence of binge drinking — 40th ( 17.7 percent of adult population )

High rate of preventable hospitalizations — 40th ( 77.3 per 1,000 Medicare enrollees )

UnitedHealthcare Programs Address Illinois' Health Needs

UnitedHealthcare has several programs in place that seek to address the health needs underscored in this year'sAmerica's Health Rankings.

- Binge Drinking: UnitedHealthcare employs the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' Screening, Brief Intervention and Referral to Treatment ( SBIRT ) process to identify hazardous drinking patterns among members participating in employee assistance programs ( EAP )

- Preventable Hospitalizations: UnitedHealthcare implements comprehensive, peer-reviewed best practices across its clinical operations to prevent hospital readmissions, including engagement with hospitals, physicians and other care providers on inpatient care and coordination in transitional care, complex care and condition-specific care management programs.

"While we at UnitedHealthcare look to America's Health Rankings to help shape our priorities for addressing health needs, each person individually, and in their capacity as an employee, employer, educator, voter, community volunteer, medical professional, public health official or elected official, can contribute to the advancement of Illinois' overall healthiness," added Wiffler. "And that's the ultimate purpose of America's Health Rankings: to foster public conversation concerning health in our states and providing information to facilitate citizen, community and group participation, because proven, effective and innovative actions can improve the health of people in every state whether the state is first or 50th."

All 50 States: Vermont Still the Healthiest

For the fifth year in a row, Vermont was the nation's healthiest state. States that showed the most substantial improvement include New York and New Jersey, both moving up six places. Idaho and Alaska showed the most downward movement. Idaho dropped 10 spots, from number nine to 19 in this year's Rankings, and Alaska dropped five places.

Nationwide: Progress in Some Areas Offset by Setbacks in Others

This year's Rankings highlight several positive nationwide trends. Improvements were made in:

- Smoking cessation: 17.3 percent of the population smoked in 2011, down from 17.9 percent in 2010— a 3.4-percent decline since 2010; a 25.4-percent decline since 2001.

- Preventable hospitalizations: 70.6 preventable hospitalizations per 1,000 Medicare enrollees in 2011, down from 68.2 preventable hospitalizations in 2010 — a 3.4-percent decline since 2010; a 17.3-percent decline since 2001.

- Cardiovascular deaths: 270.4 deaths per 100,000 in 2011, down from 278.2 deaths per 100,000 in 2010 — a 2.8-percent decline since 2010; a 22.2-percent decline since 2001

While this year's Rankings showed notable improvements, they were offset by troubling increases in:

- Obesity: From 26.9 percent of the adult population in 2010 to 27.5 percent in 2011 — a 2.2-percent increase since 2010; a 37.5-percent increase since 2001; 2011 is the first year when no state had an obesity prevalence under 20 percent.

- Diabetes: From 8.3 percent in 2010 to 8.7 percent in 2011 — a 4.8-percent increase since 2010; a 42.6-percent increase since 2001.

- Children in poverty: From 20.7 percent in 2010 to 21.5 percent in 2011 — a 3.9-percent increase since 2010; a 33.5-percent increase since 2001.

The fact that the country did not improve at all in overall health status means there was a total balance between improvements and detriments across all 23 measures. A compelling example of this stagnation is improvements in the number of smokers being off-set by worsening rates of obesity: the Rankings found that, for every person who quit smoking in 2011, another person became obese.

To see the Rankings in full, please visit: www.americashealthrankings.org .

About United Health Foundation's America's Health Rankings®

America's Health Rankings is an annual comprehensive assessment of the nation's health on a state-by-state basis.It is published jointly by United Health Foundation, American Public Health Association and Partnership forPrevention.

The data in the report come from well-recognized outside sources, such as the Centers for Disease Control andPrevention, American Medical Association, FBI, Dartmouth Atlas Project, U.S. Department of Education and Census Bureau. The report is reviewed and overseen by a Scientific Advisory Committee, with members from leading academic institutions, government agencies, and the private sector.

America's Health Rankings is the longest running report of its kind. For 22 years, the Rankings has provided ananalysis of national health on a state-by-state basis by evaluating a historical and comprehensive set of health,environmental and socioeconomic data to determine national health benchmarks and state rankings. The Rankingsemploys a unique methodology, developed and annually reviewed by a Scientific Advisory Committee of leadingpublic health scholars. For more information, please visit www.americashealthrankings.org .

About the United Health Foundation

Guided by a passion to help people live healthier lives, United Health Foundation provides helpful information to support decisions that lead to better health outcomes and healthier communities. The Foundation also supports activities that expand access to quality health care services for those in challenging circumstances and partnerswith others to improve the well-being of communities. After its establishment by UnitedHealth Group [ NYSE: UNH ] in 1999 as a not-for-profit, private foundation, the Foundation has committed more than $193 million toimprove health and health care. For additional information, please visit www.unitedhealthfoundation.org .

About UnitedHealthcare

UnitedHealthcare is dedicated to helping people nationwide live healthier lives by simplifying the health care experience, meeting consumer health and wellness needs, and sustaining trusted relationships with care providers. The company offers the full spectrum of health benefit programs for individuals, employers and Medicare and Medicaid beneficiaries, and contracts directly with more than 22,400 physicians and care professionals and 194 hospitals in Illinois. UnitedHealthcare serves more than 38 million people—1.08 million in Illinois—and is one of the businesses of UnitedHealth Group ( NYSE: UNH ) , a diversified Fortune 50 health and well-being company.