R.I. Life Index value declines in 2022

PROVIDENCE – The R.I. Life Index on how Rhode Islanders feel about a host of health and social issues measured at 59, a decrease from 63 one year prior, Blue Cross & Blue Shield of Rhode Island said on Monday. 

The 2022 index, conducted in partnership with the Brown University School of Public Health, was based on a survey of more than 2,000 individuals. They were asked about various health and social issues in their communities, including affordable housing, economic mobility, access to food and food security, discrimination and access to medical care. 

“Now in its fourth year, this survey offers crucial information about how Rhode Islanders are faring through the COVID-19 pandemic, and especially about the health barriers facing people of color and people living in lower socioeconomic communities,” said Dr. Megan L. Ranney, deputy dean of the Brown University School of Public Health. “This data offers policy makers, public health practitioners, and community leaders the information we all need as we seek to eliminate health inequities in our state.” 

Individual components of the survey were evaluated on a range from 0 to 100, with higher scores showing a more positive reception. The survey broke down responses by race, ethnicity and age, as well as by core city areas and noncore areas. Core cities were defined as areas in which 25% or more of children are living below the federal poverty level, including Central Falls, Pawtucket, Providence and Woonsocket.

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In 2022, core cities scored 55, six points lower than noncore areas.

“Not surprisingly, Rhode Islanders are struggling with key factors that affect their health, such as cost of living and housing,” said Blue Cross President and CEO Martha L. Wofford. “By shining a light on gaps in basic needs through the R.I. Life Index, we can create a shared agenda with the community to address these gaps. At Blue Cross, we look forward to continuing to tackle these hard problems with the R.I. Life Index Coalition so that all Rhode Islanders regardless of skin color, zip code, or language have access to affordable housing and healthy food and can live their healthiest life. There is much to do.”

In total, 2,003 randomly selected adults took the survey, with interviews conducted in English or Spanish either online or by telephone. On top of oversampling Black and Latinx Rhode Islanders to ensure diversity in the index, several community-based organizations conducted an additional 493 interviews in person or by phone in 14 languages.

Individual index values:

  • Cost of living received the lowest score of all metrics, with a score of 26, including a 23 value in the core cities and a 27 in noncore areas. This is a significant dip from 2021, where the category scored 31
  • Affordable housing scored 33, making it the second lowest score after cost of living. The category has been in constant decline since 2020, when the score was 44
  • Food security received the highest score of all metrics, with a score of 80, including a 73 value in core cities and 84 on noncore cities
  • Programs and services for children: 72, including a value of 63 in core cities and 76 in noncore cities
  • Community life: 67, including a core city value of 61 and a noncore city value of 69
  • Economic situation: 58, including a core city value of 52 and a noncore city value of 61
  • Racial equity: 73, including a core city value of 69 and a noncore city value of 75