According to America’s Health Rankings (AHR) latest annual report, Arkansas has seen a decrease in its latest health care rankings. The revised ratings indicate overall performance and availability of care. The report shows Arkansas has dropped one rank overall, from 48 to 49, leaving the state just one rank before the last.

One major factor contributing to the decline is the increase in health insurance costs. The Arkansas Insurance Department approved an average rate increase of 22.2% on health plans. Although this was lower than the 36.1% increase insurers requested in August, it’s still a big jump.

In fact, Arkansans have seen the biggest increase in benchmark premiums of any state this year. The average monthly cost for a typical plan went from $458 last year to $774 this year. This is a 69% jump, and way higher than the national average increase of 26%. Previously, Arkansas was ranked 16th lowest in insurance costs; now it has become the 7th highest in the nation.

As prices continue to rise, more Arkansans are refusing medical care. In the AHR report, there has been a 31% increase in avoided care due to cost. Another trend highlighted in the report is the decline in flu vaccination rates among adults. Between 2022 and 2024, adult flu vaccination rates in Arkansas dropped by 12%.

These trends show that Arkansas is facing challenges when it comes to health care. Rising costs and fewer people getting preventive care are making it even harder for the state to climb up in the rankings next year.