Judy Karandjeff, executive director of the Michigan Women’s Commission, said heart disease is the No. 1 cause of death among women in the U.S.

The state’s high rate of deaths caused by heart disease is a by-product of many other poor health issues among Michigan’s female population, Karandjeff said. Those issues include high blood pressure, obesity, poor nutrition and smoking.

According to a report by the NWLC, obese women are more likely to develop other health problems such as diabetes, high blood pressure and cardiovascular disease.

Michigan also ranked low on several other women’s health issues including diabetes, smoking and binge drinking.

The report evaluated women’s health care using 27 benchmarks developed from the U.S. Department of Human Services’ Healthy People 2010 initiative.

While Michigan improved from 32nd in 2004 to 30th in 2007 overall in women’s health issues, the state still receives failing or unsatisfactory marks on 20 of the 27 benchmarks, the report said.

Judy Waxman, vice president for Health and Reproductive Rights at the National Women’s Law Center, said a state’s health policies have a lot to do with how that state scores.

“We’re hoping state lawmakers will look at this and pass laws that will make women healthier,” Waxman said.

“States could pass a law that insurance companies must include in their health plans.”

Karandjeff said the number of uninsured women in the state has sat idle at 13 percent for the several years.

According to the report, Michigan ranks 17th for the number of uninsured women.

Plan First! is a program that provides free services for women aged 19-44 who aren’t covered under Medicaid.

Physical exams, pap smears and contraceptives are among the services the program offers.

While nearly 200,000 Michigan women qualify for the services, many women haven’t taken advantage of the free services, Karandjeff said.

“It definitely expanded access for women,” Karandjeff said. “We just have to let more women know about eligibility.”

“I think there’s still issues around education and information, and report cards like this help us as a state to move forward,” Karandjeff said.

Richard Leach, chairman of the Office of Obstetrics, Gynecology and Reproductive Biology, said he agreed with the reports findings.

The report deserves attention because if Michigan’s health care system is going to be improved, people need to first know where the state stands, Leach said.

“This is something people will be looking at and talk with their insurance companies and legislators about,” Leach said.