The Healthiest States in the U.S.
How healthy is your state?
Each year, the United Health Foundation and the American Public Health Association team up to rank the health of the states using a wide range of criteria, including concrete health measures (such as cancer deaths and diabetes rates), lifestyle factors (smoking and alcohol use), and broad quality-of-life indicators (air pollution, violent crime).
America's Health Rankings, as the report is called, is designed to highlight both the bright spots and the problem areas in the nation's public health. Here are the 2012 rankings, from worst to first. Where does your state rank?
1 of 51
49. Louisiana (tie)
2011 Rank:
50
Change: +1
Strengths:
- Low prevalence of binge drinking
- High immunization coverage
Challenges:
- High prevalences of sedentary lifestyle, obesity & diabetes
- High percentage of children in poverty
- High infant mortality rate and high prevalence of low birthweight
- High rate of preventable hospitalizations
2 of 51
49. Mississippi (tie)
2011 Rank:
49
Change: no change
Strengths:
- Low prevalence of binge drinking
- Low violent crime rate
Challenges:
- High prevalences of sedentary lifestyle, obesity, & diabetes
- High infant mortality rate & high prevalence of low birthweight
- High prevalence of smoking
- High rate of cardiovascular deaths
3 of 51
48. Arkansas
2011 Rank:
47
Change: –1
Strengths:
- Low prevalence of binge drinking
- Moderate per capita public health funding
- Moderate immunization coverage
Challenges:
- High prevalence of smoking
- High percentage of children in poverty
- High prevalence of obesity & sedentary lifestyle
4 of 51
47. West Virginia
2011 Rank:
43
Change: –4
Strengths:
- Low prevalence of binge drinking
- High per capita public health funding
- Low incidence of infectious disease
Challenges:
- High prevalence of smoking
- High prevalences of sedentary lifestyle, obesity & diabetes
- High rate of preventable hospitalizations
5 of 51
46. South Carolina
2011 Rank:
45
Change: –1
Strengths:
- Low prevalence of binge drinking
- Moderate rate of preventable hospitalizations
Challenges:
- High prevalence of low birthweight
- Low high school graduation rate
- High percentage of children in poverty
- High prevalence of diabetes
6 of 51
45. Alabama
2011 Rank:
48
Change: +3
Strengths:
- Low prevalence of binge drinking
- High per capita public health funding
- High immunization coverage
Challenges:
- High prevalence of smoking
- High prevalences of obesity, sedentary lifestyle & diabetes
- High prevalence of low birthweight & high infant mortality rate
7 of 51
44. Kentucky
2011 Rank:
44
Change: no change
Strengths:
- Low prevalence of binge drinking
- Low violent crime rate
- High immunization coverage
Challenges:
- High prevalence of smoking
- High rate of preventable hospitalizations
- High rate of cancer deaths
8 of 51
43. Oklahoma
2011 Rank:
46
Change: +3
Strengths:
- Low prevalence of binge drinking
- Low incidence of infectious disease
Challenges:
- High prevalence of smoking
- High prevalences of sedentary lifestyle, obesity, & diabetes
- Limited availability of primary care physicians
- High rate of cardiovascular deaths
9 of 51
42. Missouri
2011 Rank:
40
Change: –2
Strengths:
- High rate of high school graduation
- Lower prevalence of low birthweight than most other states
Challenges:
- High prevalence of smoking
- High prevalence of sedentary lifestyle & obesity
- High incidence of infectious disease
- Low immunization coverage
10 of 51
41. Indiana
2011 Rank:
37
Change: –4
Strengths:
- Low prevalence of binge drinking
- Low geographic disparity within the state
- Low rate of uninsured population
Challenges:
- High prevalence of smoking
- Low per capita public health funding
- High levels of air pollution
11 of 51
40. Texas
2011 Rank:
42
Change: +2
Strengths:
- Low prevalence of smoking
- Low rate of cancer deaths
Challenges:
- High rate of uninsured population
- High prevalences of sedentary lifestyle & obesity
- High incidence of infectious disease
- High percentage of children in poverty
12 of 51
39. Tennessee
2011 Rank:
41
Change: +2
Strengths:
- Low prevalence of binge drinking
- Higher per capita public health funding than most states
- Moderate availability of primary care physicians
Challenges:
- High prevalence of sedentary lifestyle
- High infant mortality rate & high prevalence of low birthweight
- High violent crime rate
13 of 51
38. Nevada
2011 Rank:
39
Change: +1
Strengths:
- Low prevalence of obesity
- Low incidence of infectious disease
Challenges:
- Low high school graduation rate
- High violent crime rate
- High rate of uninsured population
- Low per capita public health funding
14 of 51
37. Michigan
2011 Rank:
33
Change: –4
Strengths:
- Low prevalence of sedentary lifestyle
- Low rate of uninsured population
- Low occupational fatalities rate
Challenges:
- High prevalence of obesity
- High prevalence of smoking
- Low immunization coverage
15 of 51
36. Georgia
2011 Rank:
38
Change: +2
Strengths:
- Low prevalence of binge drinking
- High immunization coverage
Challenges:
- Low high school graduation rate
- High levels of air pollution
- High prevalence of low birthweight
- High infant mortality rate
16 of 51
35. Ohio
2011 Rank:
36
Change: +1
Strengths:
- High immunization coverage
- Low occupational fatalities rate
- Low geographic disparity within the state
Challenges:
- High prevalence of smoking
- High levels of air pollution
- High rate of preventable hospitalizations
17 of 51
34. Florida
2011 Rank:
34
Change: no change
Strengths:
- Low rate of cardiovascular deaths
- Low rate of cancer deaths
- Low levels of air pollution
Challenges:
- High rate of uninsured population
- High rate of uninsured population
- High geographic disparity within the state
18 of 51
33. North Carolina
2011 Rank:
35
Change: +2
Strengths:
- Low prevalence of binge drinking
- Low incidence of infectious disease
- Few poor mental & physical health days per month
Challenges:
- Low per capita public health funding
- High prevalence of diabetes
- High infant mortality rate & high prevalence of low birthweight
19 of 51
32. New Mexico
2011 Rank:
32
Change: no change
Strengths:
- High per capita public health funding
- Low rate of cardiovascular and cancer deaths
- Low levels of air pollution
Challenges:
- High rate of uninsured population
- High percentage of children in poverty
- Low high school graduation rate
20 of 51
31. Delaware
2011 Rank:
31
Change: no change
Strengths:
- Low incidence of infectious disease
- Low rate of uninsured population
- Low occupational fatalities rate
Challenges:
- High prevalence of binge drinking
- Low immunization coverage
- High infant mortality rate
21 of 51
30. Illinois
2011 Rank:
30
Change: no change
Strengths:
- Ready availability of primary care physicians
- Moderate prevalence of sedentary lifestyle
- Low geographic disparity within the state
Challenges:
- High prevalence of binge drinking
- High levels of air pollution
- High incidence of infectious disease
22 of 51
29. Montana
2011 Rank:
26
Change: –3
Strengths:
- Low prevalences of obesity & diabetes
- Low levels of air pollution
- High rate of high school graduation
Challenges:
- Low immunization coverage
- High occupational fatalities rate
- High prevalence of binge drinking
23 of 51
28. Alaska
2011 Rank:
29
Change: +1
Strengths:
- Low prevalence of sedentary lifestyle
- Low levels of air pollution
- Low prevalence of low birthweight
Challenges:
- High prevalence of binge drinking
- High violent crime rate
- Low high school graduation rate
24 of 51
27. South Dakota
2011 Rank:
19
Change: –8
Strengths:
- Low levels of air pollution
- Few poor mental & physical health days per month
- Low incidence of infectious disease
Challenges:
- High prevalence of binge drinking
- Low immunization coverage
- High geographic disparity within the state
25 of 51
26. Pennsylvania
2011 Rank:
28
Change: +2
Strengths:
- Low rate of uninsured population
- High rate of high school graduation
- Low geographic disparity within the state
Challenges:
- High levels of air pollution
- Low per capita public health funding
- High rate of cancer deaths
26 of 51
25. Arizona
2011 Rank:
27
Change: +2
Strengths:
- Low prevalence of obesity
- Low rate of preventable hospitalizations
- Low rates of cancer deaths & cardiovascular deaths
Challenges:
- High percentage of children in poverty
- Limited availability of primary care physicians
- Low high school graduation rate
27 of 51
24. Kansas
2011 Rank:
25
Change: +1
Strengths:
- Low prevalence of binge drinking
- Low prevalence of low birthweight
- High rate of high school graduation
Challenges:
- Low per capita public health funding
- Limited availability of primary care physicians
- High occupational fatalities rate
28 of 51
23. Wyoming
2011 Rank:
21
Change: –2
Strengths:
- Low incidence of infectious disease
- Low percentage of children in poverty
- Low levels of air pollution
Challenges:
- Limited availability of primary care physicians
- Low immunization coverage
- High prevalence of low birthweight
29 of 51
22. California
2011 Rank:
22
Change: no change
Strengths:
- Low prevalence of smoking
- Low prevalences of obesity & sedentary lifestyle
- Low infant mortality rate
Challenges:
- High levels of air pollution
- Low high school graduation rate
- High incidence of infectious disease
30 of 51
21. Virginia
2011 Rank:
23
Change: +2
Strengths:
- Low violent crime rate
- Few poor mental & physical health days per month
- Low percentage of children in poverty
Challenges:
- Low immunization coverage
- High geographic disparity within the state
- High prevalences of obesity & diabetes
31 of 51
20. Iowa
2011 Rank:
16
Change: –4
Strengths:
- High rate of high school graduation
- Low percentage of children in poverty
- Few poor mental & physical health days per month
Challenges:
- High prevalence of binge drinking
- Limited availability of primary care physicians
- High incidence of infectious disease
32 of 51
19. Maryland
2011 Rank:
24
Change: +5
Strengths:
- Low prevalence of smoking
- Low percentage of children in poverty
- Ready availability of primary care physicians
Challenges:
- High violent crime rate
- High prevalence of low birthweight & high infant mortality rate
- High levels of air pollution