A new study analysing women’s well-being in all 50 states shows that where women live in the US can have a significant impact on healthcare, financial security and access to the workplace. The findings highlight widespread disparities across the country as states like Nevada and California lead the way for women’s protection and opportunity, while others such as Louisiana and Mississippi rank at the bottom.
The report was published by Intimate Rose, a women’s health brand that examined data from Oxfam America, the Commonwealth Fund and the National Center for Women’s Law. Researchers calculated overall scores for each state based on four key factors: healthcare access (35%), workplace rights (30%), poverty rate (20%), and gender inequality (15%).
Top-ranked states prioritize access to healthcare and gender equality
Nevada emerged as the top state for women, earning a score of 79.36 thanks to strong workplace protection, access to healthcare and efforts to close the gender pay gap. Women in Nevada earn an average of $0.85 for each dollar that men make, and the state invests in programs that promote financial independence and support female entrepreneurs.
California followed in second place (score: 70.01) and praised policies that include robust social safety nets and gender, including paid family leave, expanded mental health care, and increased minimum wage.
Alaska (69.96) was ranked third due to healthcare outreach, low poverty among women, and support for career advancement programs, particularly in rural areas.
Florida was fourth (65.75), recognised for increased number of women-owned businesses and improved accessibility in healthcare. The statewide initiative focuses on improving workplace equality and women’s financial stability.
Arizona concluded the top five (64.14) and won a high mark for its efforts to reduce wage gaps reaching both urban and rural women, as well as expanding mentorship, training, and healthcare programs.
Southern and rural states are behind
At the other end of the spectrum, Louisiana was last ranked with a score of 26.38. The state has the largest gender pay gap in the United States, with women making just $0.71 for every dollar paid to men. Higher rates of domestic violence, limited access to health care, and minimal workplace protection further contribute to the state’s challenges for women.
North Dakota (36.26) and West Virginia (36.32) were ranked near the bottom due to rare policies supporting family leave and workplace equity due to limited access to reproduction and general health care.
Alabama (40.22) and Mississippi (40.53) rounded out the bottom five, with both states struggling with high poverty rates among women, with fewer anti-discrimination protections and significant barriers to economic progress.
Amazing national trends
The findings of this study arise amid widespread concerns about health outcomes among women in the United States. According to the Federal Fund, American women had the lowest average life expectancy (80 years) in 2022 in high-income countries.
“These disparities between states in terms of women’s health and well-being have become more evident as women face increasingly complex social, professional and personal demands,” said Dr. Amanda Olson, president and chief clinical officer of Intimate Rose. “Expanding access to essential services, addressing wage gaps and working towards workplace protection are essential steps to ensuring women in all states can thrive.”
Methodology
The ranking was based on normalized weighted data such as:
Oxfam America (Worker Rights and Policy) Commonwealth Fund (Women’s Health and Reproductive Care Access) National Women’s Law Center (poverty rate and wage inequality)
Each category was adjusted to ensure comparability and scores were reversed as needed, so higher totals improved women’s results.
Visit Intimate Rose for the complete dataset and rankings
