Health in Hawaii has strong basis

Sometimes we in the Aloha State need to give some of that aloha back to ourselves. This week presents a good occasion for a feel-good group hug about the simple fact that we feel good.

According to the latest in a long-established series of national indices from United Health Foundation, Hawaii has reclaimed the crown as the nation’s healthiest state.

Like the rest of the population, islanders still face a struggle with obesity afflicting 18-24 percent and diabetes a problem for 7-9 percent.

But we’re doing better even in those categories than most of the country, and the state’s year-round temperate climate produces people far less wedded to their sofas.

We fall into the most physically fit category, with the number of people classed as inactive representing something less than 20 percent.

Room for improvement: smoking cessation. The tally of smokers registers in the 14.5-19.7 percent range, the second lowest tier.

Clearly we have Mother Nature to thank for much of this healthy-living record.

Everyone, whatever their economic circumstance, can get their exercise with a quick jaunt to the beach, or to one of the network of public parks.

But there’s an ingrained culture of self-care and preventive medicine, owing at least in part to the four decades of health benefits that come close to universal coverage. That’s because Hawaii’s Prepaid Health Care Act ensures coverage by employers for workers on the job for 20 hours a week or more.

In addition, Hawaii’s social safety net has been reinforced beyond what most states see, with Medicaid benefits extended to more of the working poor than is required under federal law.

The sum is that for generations, most people have operated under the expectation that they can seek regular medical attention in ways that can prevent disease, or address illness in its earlier stages.

And people who meet regularly with health care providers are in a position to get the information they need to head off problems in the future and build healthy habits.

In recent weeks, the entire health care reform enterprise has taken a black eye, with the botched debut of both the state and federal health insurance exchanges.

And beyond that calamity, the road to a more accountable health delivery system will be a long one, littered with more mistakes as various experiments to improve efficiency and lower costs take shape.

One of the behavioral changes that must happen is patients taking charge of their own health.

Nationally, most Americans are unaccustomed to doing so, turning to professionals when that’s in the budget. When it’s not, families have postponed all medical checks until crisis erupts.

That will be challenging. However, it’s good to know that Hawaii is positioned to make this change easier.

Our health system has its weak points — being less accessible in rural areas, for example.

But on the whole, its foundation is strong, built up by years of affirmative policy and bolstered by the natural environment.

The conditions for healthy living are among Hawaii’s assets, and should be appreciated and strengthened for the future.