The State of Health in West Virginia
Overall Health Rank
#47
out of 51 states
Healthcare Spending
$10,191
per capita (2020)
Population
1.8M
residents
Infant Mortality
7.1
per 1,000 births
Health Behaviors & Risk Factors
Adult Obesity Rate
40.6%
↑ 18.4% vs national avg (34.3%)
Physical Inactivity
31.3%
↑ 23.2% vs national avg (25.4%)
Smoking Rate
23.8%
↑ 55.6% vs national avg (15.3%)
Diabetes Prevalence
15.2%
↑ 34.5% vs national avg (11.3%)
Healthcare Outcomes
Preventable Hospitalizations
68.4
per 1,000 Medicare enrollees
↑ 31.3% vs national avg (52.1)
Healthcare Spending Efficiency
$10,191
per capita annual spending
↑ 0.0% vs national avg ($10,191)
How Dentistry Leads Prevention in West Virginia
Oral health is the gateway to systemic wellness. In West Virginia, 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 West Virginia
Are you a healthcare provider, dentist, or functional medicine practitioner in West Virginia? Join our network to help patients track their health vitality and shift from reactive to preventive care.