Study: Alabama Ranks Third in Premature Death
A comprehensive report published Tuesday in the Journal of the American Medical Association found Alabama ranked third-worst in premature death, or dying between the ages of 20 to 55. West Virginia came in first, followed by Mississippi.
The study looked at life expectancy and other key health measures across the U.S.
The Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation analyzed data from 1990 to 2016. It’s part of a global effort to measure the effects of disease, injury, and risk factors.
One contributor to Alabama’s third-worst ranking on premature death: the combined years of life lost to opioid misuse increased more than 900 percent. Another contributor was the chronic lung disease COPD. Smoking is the top risk factor for both death and disability in Alabama. Others include high body mass index, high blood pressure, and alcohol use.
Though U.S. death rates have declined, the study concludes there are significant health differences among states.
But there was some good news in Alabama: the years of life infants lost to preterm birth complications dropped 35 percent over the study period.
Crew of fatal US military crash included Alabama father recently deployed
The six U.S. service members who died in the crash of a U.S. military refueling aircraft included an Alabama father who had just been promoted and deployed. The U.S. government released the identities of the deceased service members Saturday.
Alabama poised to drastically overhaul utility regulation. Will it lower electric bills?
The Alabama Senate unanimously voted to expand the public service commission, and create a Secretary of Energy to address rising electricity prices. A bill in the House would go even further, requiring rate case hearings and limiting utility profits.
Musher from Alabama is going for back-to-back Iditarod wins
Riches and paid appearances haven’t followed Jessie Holmes since he won the world’s most famous sled dog race, the Iditarod, last year. He doesn't mind.
Bill would move Alabama to closed primaries
Right now, any Alabama voter can participate in a primary election. Lawmakers in Montgomery took up a bill this week that would change that system.
Auburn football player uses NIL funds to open a community hub in Birmingham
Jourdin Crawford, a freshman defensive lineman at Auburn, used earnings from a Name, Image, and Likeness deal to give back to his hometown.
Ivey commutes death sentence of inmate whose accomplice fired fatal shot
Charles “Sonny” Burton was sentenced to death for the killing of Doug Battle during a 1991 robbery. However, another man shot Battle when Burton had left the building.
