United Way study rates Nevada 44th in health, welfare

Jace Radke

Thursday, Nov. 30, 2000 | 11:35 a.m.

A new study released by the United Way ranks Nevada 44th in the nation in health and welfare services.

The United Way State of Caring Index tracks and compares data on 32 indicators representing economic, educational, health, safety, civic management and environmental factors. All 50 states were ranked in the study that covers 11 years, ending in 1998.

Minnesota ranked as the top state according to the study, with Massachusetts and Connecticut rounding out the top three. The three worst states were Louisiana, 48th, Mississippi, 49th, and New Mexico at 50th.

Garth Winckler, president and chief professional officer of United Way of Southern Nevada, says that the continued growth of Southern Nevada plays a part in the state's low ranking.

"Being ranked 44th is obviously not something to be excited about, but these numbers are only through 1998 and our growth since then has not been taken into account," Winckler said. "You always hear people saying we need infrastructure for schools, but you also have to have an infrastructure for caring.

"That takes time to develop, with all these new residents moving in. It takes them time to get settled, and feeling like this is their home town before they start to do the things to make this a better place."

Nevada ranked 43rd in affordable housing, 48th in percentage of people without health insurance, 43rd in teenage births, 40th in crime rates and last in high school dropouts.

"The study will come out annually from now on, so it will provide us with a good benchmark," Winckler said. "At the same time we're going to be working on our own study of Southern Nevada, taking into account the growth in the last two years."

Winckler says that the fact that so many people are moving to Southern Nevada is a good sign, and that the United Way is, "committed to providing the education, leadership and involvement opportunities to welcome newcomers and enable them to be part of the solution to the challenges."

United Way of Southern Nevada funds more than 140 local programs devoted to ensuring basic human needs, improving the lives of children, families and the elderly.