Explore Behavioral Health Data in Tucson, Arizona MSA
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Number of Poor Mental Health Days per Month (2023)
In 2023, those living in the Tucson Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA) reported 5.6 poor mental health days each month, down slightly from 5.9 days in 2022. Tucson ranked seventh among peer metropolitan areas, tied with El Paso and Salt Lake City. The U.S. average was 5.7 poor mental health days per month. Austin and Phoenix reported the lowest number among peer metropolitan areas at 5.0 days, while Las Vegas reported the highest at 6.0 days.
Why is it important?
Mental health is an important part of overall health and well-being. Mental health conditions can affect quality of life, physical health, educational outcomes, workforce participation, and productivity. According to the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA), behavioral health problems include substance use disorders, alcohol and drug addiction, serious psychological distress, suicide, and mental disorders.
Poor mental health can also affect families, employers, and communities. People who experience frequent mental distress may have trouble maintaining employment, social relationships, and daily activities. At the community level, mental health outcomes can affect healthcare utilization, workforce availability, and economic well-being. The Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality reported a cost of $57.5 billion for mental health care in the U.S. in 2006. Much of that cost was lost income from unemployment, social supports, and other indirect costs related to chronic disability.
Tracking mental health indicators can help communities understand behavioral health trends and identify where additional resources or support may be needed. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), excessive alcohol use is responsible for 88,000 deaths each year, while nearly half a million Americans die prematurely from smoking or exposure to secondhand smoke. In 2016, the CDC found that another 16 million people live with a serious illness caused by smoking.
How do we compare?
In 2023, 17.3% of adults in the Tucson MSA reported frequent mental distress. Frequent mental distress occurs when an individual reports poor mental health on 14 or more days during a 30-day period. Tucson ranked fifth among peer western MSAs. Las Vegas reported the highest rate at 19.4%, while Phoenix reported the lowest at 15.5%.
Depression rates varied widely across the western states in 2023. California reported the lowest rate among western states at 17.0%, and Utah reported the highest at 26.0%. Arizona had the second-lowest rate among the 10 western states at 18.0%. Arizona’s rate was also lower than the national rate of 22.0%.
In 2023, 18.2% of Tucson’s population reported excessive drinking. Excessive drinking includes binge drinking, heavy drinking, and any alcohol use by pregnant women or those younger than 21. Binge drinking is defined as a woman consuming four or more drinks or a man consuming five or more drinks on an occasion, while heavy drinking is eight or more drinks per week for a woman and 15 or more for a man. Tucson's rate was slightly below the national rate of 18.7% and matched Arizona's rate of 18.2%. Among peer western metros, Denver reported the highest rate at 22.0%, followed by Austin at 19.5%. To view the MSA comparison data, visit the Behavioral Health Comparison Page.
What are the key trends?
Smoking rates declined substantially between 2011 and 2015 in Tucson, Arizona, and the U.S. Tucson's smoking rate increased modestly between 2015 and 2018, but the long-term trend has continued to decline. By 2023, Tucson reported its lowest smoking rate in more than a decade, at 11.3%. Smoking rates increased in Arizona and the U.S. between 2022 and 2023. In contrast, Tucson’s rate continued to decline.
How is it measured?
Data are from the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS), a health-related survey conducted by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). The BRFSS is a telephone survey that collects state-level data on U.S. residents' health-related risk behaviors, chronic health conditions, and use of preventive services. BRFSS data on the MAP Dashboard come from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the County Health Rankings.
