OCR Text |
Show UNEMPLOYMENT RATE Utah's rate of unemployment has been below the nation's and that of the mountain states since 1985 (Table 11). The mountain states' rate of unemployment has declined at a pace similar to Utah's rate, although the mountain states' total rate is still higher. These data reflect Utah's good economic position in relationship to other states. What these data do not reflect, however, is Utah's wage structure compared to other states. The proportion of people working in Utah may be higher than the nation's, but those people may be struggling economically because of low wages and large families (see Non-Agricultural Employment, pg. 13). Employment growth is important for health considerations because as persons become employed, they are more likely to be insured. Table 11 Unemployment Rate Mountain Year Utah States U.S. 1985 5.9 6.8 7.2 1987 6.4 7.2 6.2 1989 4.6 5.5 5.3 1990 4.3 5.2 5.5 1991 4.9 5.6 6.7 1992 4.9* 6.4 7.4 * Provisional Data COST OF LIVING Cost of living is also important to consider when evaluating health and should be considered when comparing income levels, including poverty levels. The American Chamber of Commerce Researchers Association (ACCRA) Cost of Living Index measures the difference between the levels in the cost of consumer goods and services (as compared with a national average of 100) for approximately 270 urban areas at a single point in time (Table 12). The composite index is based on six components: grocery items, housing, utilities, transportation, health care, and miscellaneous goods and services. As an example, Salt Lake City's cost of living index was slightly above the national average for 1981, 1982, 1985, and 1986, as shown by an average above 100%. Since 1986, Utah has had an overall lower cost of living index than the national average. Salt Lake City Cost of Living Index * American Chamber of Commerce Researchers Association (ACCRA) Table 12 Index All Health Weights Itemsa00%) Care(5%) U.S. Average: U.S. Average: Year 100% 100% 1981 100.1 100.9 1982 100.9 100.6 1983 96.0 98.6 1984 98.0 106.8 1985 101.7 103.2 1986 101.4 105.3 1987 99.3 101.6 1988 98.3 106.1 1989 95.6 100.9 1990 92.0 93.7 1991 93.8 93.3 1992 96.9 101.1 1993 96.8 99.6 *Salt Lake City Metropolitan Area Averages (compared to 100% average of U.S.) 12 DEMOGRAPHICS |