Alabama Water Fluoride: Updated Statistics

Water fluoridation is a crucial public health measure that helps prevent tooth decay and promote oral health. In Alabama, a significant portion of the population has access to fluoridated water, thanks to the state’s ongoing efforts to maintain and expand its water fluoridation programs. This article will delve into the current state of water fluoridation in Alabama, highlighting key statistics and the state’s commitment to improving oral health for its residents.

Here are some notable statistics about water fluoridation in Alabama:

• As of 2020, 77.7% of Alabama’s population served by community water systems (CWS) received fluoridated water, placing the state 24th in the ranking of states by fluoridation percentage.
• Alabama had 4,467,001 persons served by community water systems, with a total of 3,469,133 persons receiving fluoridated water.
• Nationally, 72.7% of the U.S. population on community water systems received fluoridated water in 2020, compared to Alabama’s 77.7%, showing that Alabama is above the national average in terms of fluoridation coverage.

Alabama’s Commitment to Water Fluoridation

The Alabama Department of Public Health Oral Health Office has demonstrated a strong commitment to maintaining and improving water fluoridation programs across the state. In 2021, several public water systems in Alabama were recognized with Quality Fluoridation Awards for providing safe and superior quality fluoridated water for 12 consecutive months.

• The state also announced a 2024 Fluoridation Grant Opportunity, offering up to $25,000 each to start a new Community Water Fluoridation (CWF) program, resume a previously discontinued CWF program, or continue/expand an existing CWF program.

Fluoridation Coverage Trends

While Alabama has a high percentage of its population with access to fluoridated water, there has been a slight decline in coverage over the past decade.

• From 2008 to 2018, there was a 4.2% decrease in the percentage of Alabama’s population with access to fluoridated water, indicating a need for continued efforts to maintain and expand coverage.

National Fluoridation Statistics

To put Alabama’s water fluoridation efforts into perspective, it’s important to consider national statistics as well.

• The Healthy People 2030 objective aims for 77.1% of people served by community water systems to receive water with the optimum level of fluoride.
• In 2018, 63.4% of the total U.S. population and 73.0% of the population on community water systems received fluoridated drinking water.
• The CDC has identified community water fluoridation as one of the ten great public health achievements of the 20th century.

Alabama’s dedication to water fluoridation is evident through its high percentage of population served by fluoridated water systems and its ongoing initiatives to maintain and expand coverage. By continuing to prioritize water fluoridation, Alabama is taking important steps to improve the oral health of its residents and reduce the burden of tooth decay across the state. As the nation works towards the Healthy People 2030 objective, Alabama serves as an example of the positive impact that widespread water fluoridation can have on public health.