Human, health and social services provide the safety net that is essential to our society. Most Okahomans agree that government should ensure that vulnerable individuals and families can meet their basic needs. It also should promote healthy lifestyles that reduce public and private costs.

Like all public structures, health and social services have a long history. Limited efforts to care for the least fortunate were provided by local governments starting in the 18th century. In the 1800s states became more involved in social services, particularly in caring for the mentally disabled and veterans. Federal involvement grew through this period as well, providing pensions for war veterans and their widows. All of these programs evolved in the 20th century. Pensions expanded into the Social Security system. Relief efforts for the poor were expanded at every level of government in the 1920s and 1930s. At the same time, government efforts were essential in fighting and eliminating some diseases. 

Health and social services are accepted as an essential focus of government. At the state level we expect government to provide access to health care, to operate hospitals, to promote health and regulate health care, to investigate disease outbreaks, and to provide care for veterans, seniors, children, and others who cannot meet their basic needs without help.

Health and social services are essential to a healthy community and economy. By most measures, however, the United States falls short of other developed nations and Oklahoma struggles to keep up with the rest of the nation. We have made progress, though. Oklahoma has successfully invested to increase the number of children with health insurance and we have developed a statewide nursing home visitation program. We rank high in investments in public health to prevent and control infectious diseases, which have fallen over the last two decades.

Overall health has improved recently, though not as quickly as elsewhere. However, we are falling short in many areas. Drug abuse and addiction rates are high, as are child abuse, domestic violence, accidental death, and smoking. Obesity is increasing dramatically. Overall, our health status is below average. Our health and social services shortfalls hit the lower-income population hardest. A higher proportion of Oklahomans are poor than the American average and access to health insurance is among the worst in the nation.

15.9 percent--of Oklahomans are poor, according to the federal definition. The U.S. average is 13.3 percent. Oklahoma tied for the tenth poorest state. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, 13 percent of Oklahoma children are poor, compared to 11 percent nationwide.

43rd--Oklahoma ranked 43rd in overall health in 2007, according to the United Health Foundation. While this was up from 47th the previous year, Oklahoma is among the five lowest states for improvements in health. We rank in the bottom 10 in smoking, obesity, job-related deaths, access to health insurance and doctors, and days lost to mental and physical illness.

$45--per person spent by Oklahoma for mental health purposes in 2005. This ranked 45th in the nation and was less than one-half the national average of $103 per person, according to the National Association of State Mental Health Program Directors.

18.7 percent--of Oklahomans did not have health insurance in 2006. This ranked Oklahoma 5th highest in uninsured population, according to the US Census Bureau. The national average was 15.3 percent uninsured.

5th--Oklahoma has the fifth highest rate of death by accidents in the nation. Our rate of 54.9 deaths per 100,000 people compares to the national average of 37.7 deaths. Rates are adjusted for age of the population. Oklahoma also exceeds the national average for death rates from cancer, cerebrovascular diseases, heart disease, and suicide. (Source: US Department of Health and Human Services, National Center for Health Statistics)

13.4--Of every 1,000 children, 13.4 are in state custody. Only Nebraska has a higher rate of state care for children, according to a 2009 performance audit by Hornby Zeller Associates. Oklahoma's rate is nearly double the natinal average of 6.9 percent. Less than one-third of children in Oklahoma Department of Human Services custody are returned to their families within one year, compared to the national standard of 48 percent.

• Health and Social Services Agencies and Services

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