What Is Healthy State?

We Believe in a Healthy Louisiana

Moving forward, together. Imagine a Louisiana where everyone has the opportunity to lead a healthier, more prosperous life. That’s the vision of Healthy State. By engaging healthcare, education, community, and policy leaders across the state, we’re addressing the root causes of poor health and working toward lasting change. Together, we can build a stronger, healthier future for all who call Louisiana home.

Smoking Cessation

EXCEEDED GOAL — Louisiana reduced its adult smoking rate by 6%, exceeding the 2030 Healthy State goal of 214,000 fewer smokers.

Cessation counseling and medications are now covered for all patients, including those on Medicaid, under a new state rule. The Town of Ball and Village of Dodson became the 35th and 36th municipalities to pass smoke-free ordinances. To raise awareness, Ochsner Health held smoking cessation events on Veterans’ Day and during the Great American Smokeout at its Jefferson Highway campus.

Reason: Smoking is the number one cause of preventable death in Louisiana (CDC).

Ranking: As Americans are quitting smoking across the nation, we look to increase the momentum in Louisiana to exceed the 45th rank in smoking.

Broadband

EXCEEDED GOAL — Healthy State surpassed its goal of reaching 82,000 more homes by 2030, with 91% of Louisiana households now having broadband access thanks to the BEAD program and support from Healthy State and ConnectLA. Louisiana ranked in the top ten states for federal broadband funding.

Reason: Broadband is a “super social determinant of health” because connectivity is critical to accessing other support programs including digital health services/telehealth, virtual learning, benefit sign up and more.

Ranking: Our ranking has improved two places since 2023 at 47th in the nation and with the success of BEAD funding and Connect LA.

Food Security

MOVEMENT — Ochsner and partners expanded SNAP enrollment support, trained health workers on EBT via Instacart, and launched a produce delivery pilot for Medicaid patients. Mobile markets and pantries addressed food shortages statewide. Healthy State also supports the Baton Rouge Alliance Against Hunger to coordinate efforts tackling food insecurity.

Workforce & Education

EXCEEDED GOAL — Since 2020, per capita income increased in Louisiana from $28,662 to $34,102 in 2023. Additionally, in 2024, high school completion rates increased to 88% graduating from 80% in 2021.*

Reason: Those with lower incomes and less educational attainment have poorer health outcomes than those with higher educational attainment and higher incomes.

Rankings: Although economic hardship has stayed constant at 48th in the nation, high school completion has improved to 45th.

Cancer & Chronic Conditions

MOVEMENT — Louisiana’s ranking for colorectal cancer screenings increased to 16th in the US.

Goal: Save lives through access to lung, colorectal and breast cancer screenings; Expand detection and treatment of chronic conditions including hypertension, diabetes and obesity.

Reason: Nearly two-thirds of preventable premature death in Louisiana is due to cancer and uncontrolled chronic conditions. The rate of multiple chronic conditions in Louisiana is 13%. The U.S. rate is 11%.

Ranking: Although we have seen great increases in screening rates, our ranking for multiple chronic conditions remains the same at 45th in the nation. Our rankings are improving with obesity at 45th and exercise at 38th.