- United Health Foundation’s 2017 America’s Health Rankings looked at a variety of factors to determine the healthiest and least healthy states in the nation
- Massachusetts is the healthiest state in the country, with only 2.7% of residents without health insurance, the lowest of all states
- Mississippi is considered the least healthy state and has the highest rate of cardiovascular deaths in the country and the highest infant mortality rate
While a lot of us would like to think we take the necessary steps to stay healthy, whether it’s eating right or exercising, there are a lot of places where folks just aren’t doing a very good job of it. Well, thanks to the United Health Foundation’s 2017 America’s Health Rankings, we now know which states are earning high marks when it comes to their health, and which are failing miserably.
The report looked at factors like healthy behaviors, the quality of health care, the incidence of diseases, preventable deaths across the nation and more to determine the healthiest and least healthy states in the nation, and the results may or may not be surprising.
Earning the title of the healthiest state is Massachusetts, overtaking the top spot from Hawaii. Massachusetts earns high marks for access to care, with only 2.7% of residents without health insurance, the lowest of all states. There are also plenty of options when it comes to doctors with 81 dentists, 547 mental health providers, and 237 primary care physicians for every 100,000 residents.
Top Ten Healthiest States in the U.S.
- Massachusetts
- Hawaii
- Vermont
- Utah
- Connecticut
- Minnesota
- Colorado
- New Hampshire
- Washington
- New York
On the flipside, Mississippi is once again considered the least healthy state in the country. They once again have the highest cardiovascular rate in the country, as well as the highest infant mortality rate in the country, the latter of which is higher than even Russia and Costa Rica.
Top Ten Least Healthy States in the U.S.
- Mississippi
- Louisiana
- Arkansas
- Alabama
- West Virginia
- Tennessee
- South Carolina
- Oklahoma
- Kentucky
- Georgia
Source: 24/7 Wall Street