Ranking: Idaho not good to women

In the realm of statistical snapshots, there's good news and bad news. So to end on a high note let's start with the bad: Idaho ranks 47 out of 50, thus one of the "10 worst states for women," according to a report using data from the Center for American Progress's 2013 report, "The State of Women in America," and completed by 24/7 Wall Street.

Yes, part of this is about money; Idaho's pay gap is slightly worse than the national average. But it's also about promotions, health, and raising a family.

According to the U.S. Census, women make up about half of the workforce. Yet those who work full-time alongside men take home an average 79 cents to the male dollar, nationwide. Ladies in New York fare better, at 86 cents. Compare that to the low in Louisiana of 66 cents.

While the fairer sex has come a long way in the last century, opportunity remains unequal in both private and public sectors. According to the Washington Post, for the first time women in Congress now top 100, but that's still just 18.6 percent of voting members. Male candidates remain more likely to get elected. Governors, legislatures, and department heads are predominantly male.

Health and family are also of concern. The U.S. is one of the world's most developed nations, yet it's one of the few whose maternal mortality rates actually rose, according to medical journals and the Kaiser Family Foundation, as reported by 24/7 Wall Street. Women have less access to healthcare, less maternity leave, fewer sick days, and are less insured by comparison to other developed nations' women. In the worst-ranked of U.S. states, preschool enrollment and per-child state spending are lower.

Where does Idaho fall? Forty-seven of 50, just above Wyoming and Utah - the worst ranked, although Utah women's poverty rate is 3 percentage points better than Idaho. Idaho's gender wage gap is 76 cents per dollar; its poverty rate for women, 16.2 percent. Our legislature is 26.7 percent female. One third of management jobs are held by Idaho women, one of the worst rankings as most other states make gains.

Idaho's infant mortality rate is 6.0 per 1,000 births. We don't offer pre-k programs. We have relatively low sick and family leave, and fewer Medicaid benefits, which disproportionately affects women and children (because women are more likely to be poor).

Now, to end with good news: The picture improves somewhat for the 20 percent of Americans who are older than 60 - that's 65 million people, a senior population exceeded only by China and India. The Global AgeWatch Index in 2014 ranked quality of life and economic status of seniors in 96 countries, examining such factors as per capita income, employment and security; health and longevity; and social isolation. Norway and Sweden rank highest (Afghanistan, lowest), but the U.S. also made the top 10, ranking eighth. Our seniors are more likely than most to reach age 83 and have incomes in excess of $40,000 (although that's less likely to be pension/Social Security than it is in other developed nations). Even better, U.S. rankings are stable.

According to America's Health Rankings 2014 report, Idaho's seniors - while slightly more obese than seniors elsewhere - have lower rates of poverty (7.9 percent) and food insecurity (10.9 percent) than the national average (9.3 and 14.3, respectively). Our seniors also volunteer more, ranking No. 1 across the nation. However, the news is mixed and overall Idaho ranks as average in overall health: 25 out of 50 states measured.

For more information see Helpage.org/global-agewatch/ and Americashealthrankings.org. Thanks to reader Dr. Tim Hunt for the topic suggestion.

Sholeh Patrick, J.D. is a columnist for the Hagadone News Network. Contact her at [email protected].