The 10 Healthiest and 10 LeastHealthy States
In some ways, Americans today are healthier than they were in 1990, when the United Health Foundation first published America's Health Rankings, an annual state-by-state assessment of our nation's health. Cardiovascular and cancer deaths are down, and the smoking rate has decreased 36. Plus, life expectancy is at an all-time high78.7 years. "But although we're living longer, we're also living sicker, with preventable illness at an alarming level," says Reed Tuckson, MD, external senior medical advisor to United Health Foundation. The number-one reason Obesity. "Since 1990, the obesity rate went from 11.6 to 29.4, a 153 increase," Dr. Tuckson says. In the last year alone, it rose 7. Physical inactivity is also at a new high 23.5 of Americans do not exercise at all. Read on for the states that are doing it rightand the 10 that have a lot more work to do to improve their health. The 10 Most Healthy States, 10. Nebraska, 2013 Rank 11 Change +1, Nebraska is among the healthiest states in America in 2014, coming in at number 10 a slight increase over last year. Nebraska has a low rate of drug deaths, high rate of high school graduation, and high immunization coverage among children. Challenges High prevalence of binge drinking High incidence of Salmonella Large disparity in health status by education level, HEALTH.COM 12 Vaccines Your Child Needs, 9. North Dakota, 2013 Rank 9 Change None, North Dakota is the ninth most-healthy state in the U.S. this year, thanks to its low rate of drug deaths, high immunization coverage among teens, and low prevalence of low birth weight. North Dakota also came in ninth in 2013. Challenges High prevalence of binge drinking High prevalence of obesity High occupational fatalities rate, 8. Colorado, 2013 Rank 8 Change None, Colorado is known for its outdoor activitieshiking, skiing, bikingso it should come as no surprise that the state has the lowest rates for obesity and diabetes in the United States. It ranks eighth for the second year in a row. Challenges High prevalence of binge drinking High prevalence of low birth weight Large disparity in health status by education level, 7. New Hampshire, 2013 Rank 5 Change -2, New Hampshire comes in at number seven, and is just one of several New England states to rank in the top 10 for 2014. New Hampshire residents are more active than most Americans, enjoy a low rate of infectious disease, and have a low infant mortality rate. There is also high immunization coverage among teens. Challenges High prevalence of binge drinking High rate of drug deaths Low per capita public health funding, 6. Minnesota, 2013 Rank 3 Change -3, Minnesota is known for its bitterly cold winters, but that doesn't stop residents of this snowy state from keeping active, which also helps the state have one of the lowest obesity and diabetes rates in the nation. Minnesota also has a low rate of drug deaths. Challenges High prevalence of binge drinking High incidence of pertussis Low per capita health funding, HEALTH.COM 14 Fad Diets You Shouldn't Try, 5. Utah, 2013 Rank 6 Change +1, Fewer people smoke in Utah than in any other state. Utah also has the second-lowest diabetes rate, the fourth-lowest obesity rate, a low percentage of children in poverty, and a low rate of preventable hospitalizations. Challenges High rate of drug deaths Low immunization coverage among teens Limited availability of primary care physicians, 4. Connecticut, 2013 Rank 7 Change +3, Connecticut, the 4th-healthiest state in the U.S. this year, has a low prevalence of smoking, high immunization coverage among children, and a low occupational fatalities rate. Challenges High prevalence of binge drinking High rate of preventable hospitalizations Large disparity in health status by education level, HEALTH.COM 15 Ways Smoking Ruins Your Looks, 3. Massachusetts, 2013 Rank 4 Change +1, Massachusetts is the third-healthiest state in the nation in 2014. In the past two years, drug deaths have decreased by 9 and the rate of physical inactivity has decreased 11. Massachusetts also has more residents with health insurance than any other state. Challenges High prevalence of binge drinking High rate of preventable hospitalizations Large disparity in health status by education level, 2. Vermont, 2013 Rank 2 Change None, The runner-upand the healthiest state in the continental U.S.is Vermont. Vermont has the highest high school graduation rate in the country, a low percentage of children in poverty, and a low violent crime rate. In the last year, binge drinking has decreased 11 though it's still a challenge, and in the last two years, smoking has declined by 13. Challenges High prevalence of binge drinking Low immunization coverage among children Large disparity in health status by education level, 1. Hawaii, 2013 Rank 1 Change None, For the second year in a row, Hawaii earns the honor of healthiest state in America. Relatively few people in the Aloha State are obese, the cancer rate is low, and the state has the lowest rate of preventable hospitalizations in the country. Smoking has decreased by 21 in the last two years, and binge drinking has declined by 15. Challenges High prevalence of binge drinking High incidence of infectious disease Low immunization coverage among children, HEALTH.COM 27 Mistakes Healthy People Make, The 10 Least Healthy States, 41. Indiana, 2013 Rank 41 Change None, With 31.8 of adults obese, 28.3 of adults never exercising, and a huge air pollution problem, Indiana comes in at number 41. Strengths Low incidence of infectious disease Low percentage of children in poverty High immunization coverage among teens, 42. South Carolina, 2013 Rank 43 Change +1, Coming in at 42, South Carolina is struggling to keep its children healthy it has a low rate of high school graduation, high prevalence of low birth weight, and ranks in the bottom half of the states for the immunization of children. It also has high rates of obesity, diabetes, and physical inactivity. Strengths Low prevalence of binge drinking Low incidence of pertussis Low rate of preventable hospitalizations, HEALTH.COM Could You Have Type 2? 10 Diabetes Symptoms, The 10 Least Healthy States, 43. Alabama, 2013 Rank 47 Change +4, Ranking 43rd overall, Alabama has the highest diabetes rate in the nation, at 13.8 of adultsa 17 increase over the last two years. The state also has a high prevalence of low birth weight and a limited availability of dentists. Strengths Low prevalence of binge drinking High immunization coverage among children Small disparity in health status by education level, 44. West Virginia, 2013 Rank 46 Change +2, With 27.3 of the adult population lighting up, West Virginia has the highest prevalence of smoking in America. It also has more drug deaths than any other state, as well as the second-highest obesity rate. Strengths Low prevalence of binge drinking Low incidence of infectious disease High per capita health funding, 45. Tennessee, 2013 Rank 42 Change -3, Tennessee ranks 50th for violent crime, 49th for physical inactivity, 47th for obesity, and 45th overall. Strengths Low prevalence of binge drinking Low incidence of pertussis Ready availability of primary care physicians, 46. Oklahoma, 2013 Rank 44 Change -2, Ranking 46th, the Sooner State has a high prevalence of physical inactivity, low immunization coverage among children, and a limited availability of primary care physicians. Since 1990, violent crime has increased 12, while the nationwide rate dropped 37 during the same time period. Strengths Low prevalence of binge drinking Low incidence of pertussis Low prevalence of low birth weight, 47. Kentucky, 2013 Rank 45 Change -2, While lots of people in Kentucky smoke, very few of them exercise, a combination that lands the Bluegrass State at number 47. Kentucky also suffers from a high percentage of children in poverty and a high rate of preventable hospitalizations. Strengths Low prevalence of binge drinking Low violent crime rate High immunization coverage among children, HEALTH.COM 20 Filling Foods That Help You Lose Weight, 48. Louisiana, 2013 Rank 48 Change None, Louisiana ranks 48th in 2014 thanks to its high incidence of infectious disease, high prevalence of low birth weight, and high rate of preventable hospitalizations. Strengths Low incidence of pertussis High immunization coverage among teens Small disparity in health status by education level, 49. Arkansas, 2013 Rank 49 Change None, Coming in second to lastsame as in 2013Arkansas has a high incidence of infectious disease, a limited availability of dentists, and low immunization coverage among children. Additionally, obesity has increased 12 over the last two years. Strengths Low prevalence of binge drinking High per capita public health funding Small disparity in health status by education level, 50. Mississippi, 2013 Rank 50 Change None, For the third year in a row, the least-healthy state in the U.S. is Mississippi. Mississippi ranks last on six measures physical inactivity, rate of infectious disease, low birthweight, infant mortality, cardiovascular deaths, and premature deaths. Strengths Low prevalence of binge drinking High immunization coverage among children Small disparity in health status by education level