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Hawaii Ranks as Healthiest State, Louisiana Takes Last Place
The nation’s 50th state—Hawaii—is the healthiest, according to United Health Foundation’s 29th annual America’s Health Rankings report. At the opposite end of the spectrum is Louisiana, the nation’s least healthy state. Mississippi ranked as the least healthy state last year.
The report is the longest-running annual assessment of the nation’s health on a state-by-state basis. It calculates state health by analyzing five categories: health outcomes, health behaviors, community and environment, policy and clinical care.
The five healthiest states in the U.S. are Hawaii, Massachusetts, Connecticut, Vermont, and Utah, in ascending order. These same states ranked among the top five in 2017.
Maine experienced the greatest improvement in the past year, moving up seven spots from No. 23 to No. 16. The state reported progress in smoking and the rate of children in poverty. Oklahoma, meanwhile, experienced the greatest decline in rank, falling four places from No. 43 to No. 47. The downturn was largely driven by increased obesity rates and decreased physical activity.
This year’s report identified some major setbacks for health of Americans. More are dying prematurely than in prior years, with suicide, drug deaths, occupational fatalities, and cardiovascular deaths all increasing. Obesity has increased nationally, and in all 50 states since 2017. The nation’s obesity rate rose 5% in the past year, with one in three adults now experiencing obesity. Additionally, self-reported frequent mental distress and frequent physical distress increased in the past two years.
For questions, comments or concerns, please contact Jennifer Duell Popovec
