The State of Health in District of Columbia
Overall Health Rank
#18
out of 51 states
Healthcare Spending
$13,104
per capita (2020)
Population
0.7M
residents
Infant Mortality
6.5
per 1,000 births
Health Behaviors & Risk Factors
Adult Obesity Rate
24.7%
↓ 28.0% vs national avg (34.3%)
Physical Inactivity
20.5%
↓ 19.3% vs national avg (25.4%)
Smoking Rate
13.4%
↓ 12.4% vs national avg (15.3%)
Diabetes Prevalence
10.2%
↓ 9.7% vs national avg (11.3%)
Healthcare Outcomes
Preventable Hospitalizations
45.9
per 1,000 Medicare enrollees
↓ 11.9% vs national avg (52.1)
Healthcare Spending Efficiency
$13,104
per capita annual spending
↑ 28.6% vs national avg ($10,191)
How Dentistry Leads Prevention in District of Columbia
Oral health is the gateway to systemic wellness. In District of Columbia, dentists are uniquely positioned to detect early signs of chronic disease, nutritional deficiencies, and inflammatory conditions before they become critical.
Early Detection
Oral examinations reveal systemic health markers including diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and autoimmune conditions.
Preventive Focus
Regular dental visits emphasize prevention over intervention, reducing long-term healthcare costs and improving quality of life.
Patient Education
Dental professionals educate patients on nutrition, inflammation, and lifestyle factors that impact overall health.
Join the HealthClock Network in District of Columbia
Are you a healthcare provider, dentist, or functional medicine practitioner in District of Columbia? Join our network to help patients track their health vitality and shift from reactive to preventive care.