AICR
Hawaii, Vermont and Minnesota top the list of healthiest states with several southern states sitting at the bottom, according to the latest annual report that analyzes key health measures in each state.
The 24th annual America’s Health Rankings, released last month, pound that Americans are making strides in some areas, many related to cancer risk. The percent of adults who smoke, for example, fell from 21.2 percent to 19.6.
More adults also are being active to some degree. Inactivity dropped from approximately 26 percent to 23. Obesity rates held steady from last years ranking, with slightly over a quarter (28 percent) of adults categorized as obese.
Many of the states ranked as the least healthy, including Mississippi, Arkansas, Louisiana and Alabama, had relatively high rates of diabetes and obesity.
Data for the report’s analysis came from government and other recognized sources.
You can see detail about each state and compare them at the America’s Health Rankings site.
Source: United Health Foundation, American Public Health Association and Partnership for Prevention. America’s Health Rankings: A Call to Action for Individuals & Their Communities. December 11, 2013.
