More than half the nation (53%) rates their health as excellent or very good while one in five (19%) rate their health as fair or poor.  Younger adults (ages 18-34), more affluent members of society, and those within a normal BMI are most inclined to rate their helath as excellent.  Interestingly, those who identify themselves as Republican also fit into this group, with 25 percent rating their health as excellent, compared to 16 percent fo Democrats and 17 percent of Independents.

Yet, the Health Security Index also shows that individual perceptions of health status do not necessarily align with the self-reported risk factors people have.  While 53 percent of respondents rated their health as excellent or very good, 66 percent are overweight or obese and 43 percent take two or more prescription medications.

For more information about the state of the nation's health, download the report or the data presentation.

The overall Health Security Index ranking is principally driven down by concerns related to healthcare affordability.  One in three (33%) U.S. adults say "affordable healthcare for all Americans" is the most serious healthcare challenge facing the nation today (up from 22% in 2007).

More than half (56%) say their healthcare costs increased either significantly or slightly over the past year.  This increase has not come without consequences: half (49%) say this increase has made them significantly or somewhat more concerned with their ability to pay for their healthcare today.

Additionally, those living without health insurance are more than three times as likely as those with insurance to have had to choos between paying for basic necessities (such as groceries or heat for their homes) and healthcare.  Others who are impacted by this compromise include those under the age of 25, minorities, and those in poor health.

Americans remain largely confident in their ability to access physicians and healthcare facilities.  In 2008, two-thirds (65%) of Americans say they are confident in their ability to access quality medical care (up from 61%).

However, it cannot be said that access to healthcare for the uninsured as improved:

• Only 32 percent of the uninsured say they have a primary care physician (down from 35% in 2007) and only half (48%) say they have a doctor they trust (down from 52%).
• Nearly eight in ten (77%) are worried about their ability to see a healthcare professional when they are sick (up from 72%).
• Only one-third (32%) of the uninsured say they are confident in their ability to access quality medical care (31% in 2007).

Of particular note, one-fifth of U.S. adults (18%) report they are likely to stay at home for a non-urgent health condition (up from 7% in 2007).