50. Mississippi

The Healthiest and Least Healthy States

The Magnolia State came in dead last in the rankings, conducted by the United Health Foundation. Mississippi is among the bottom five states on 10 of the 22 measures.

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50. Mississippi The Magnolia State came in dead last in the rankings, conducted by the United Health Foundation. Mississippi is among the bottom five states on 10 of the 22 measures.
49. Oklahoma Even though the Sooner State is known for its football and a general outdoorsy nature, it still came in second-to-last in this survey of healthiest states. Maybe they should be sooner at the gym and later at the barbecues. Lowlights include a high prevalence of smoking and a high prevalence of obesity.
48. Alabama Another football hotbed, Alabama and her southern sisters are all ranking pretty low. The biggest factors in the low placing are a high prevalence of obesity, high levels of air pollution, and a high percentage of children in poverty. (AP Photo/Dave Martin)
47. Louisiana It is the home of New Orleans, Mardi Gras and decadence. It's not really a surprise to see Louisiana down at the bottom of this list, is it? Louisiana is also dealing with a high prevalence of binge drinking and limited availability of primary care physicians. (AP Photo/Bill Haber)
46. South Caroli... Even though South Carolina is home to the beauty of the sprawling coast and some of the country's best golf courses in Myrtle Beach, it wasn't enough to help the Palmetto State out of the bottom five. Its biggest problems are a low high school graduation rate, high violent crime rate, and a high prevalence of obesity.
45. Nevada In Nevada, obesity is more prevalent among Hispanics at 28.3 percent than non-Hispanic whites at 24.2 percent. The prevalence of diabetes also varies by race and ethnicity in the state; 8.6 percent of non-Hispanic whites have diabetes compared to 5.1 percent of Hispanics. In addition, mortality rates vary in Nevada, with 905.4 deaths per 100,000 population among whites compared to Hispanics, who experience 474.7 deaths per 100,000 population.
44. Tennessee In Tennessee, obesity is more prevalent among non-Hispanic blacks at 40.3 percent than non-Hispanic whites at 28.2 percent. The prevalence of diabetes also varies by race and ethnicity in the state; 12.7 percent of non-Hispanic blacks have diabetes compared to 11.0 percent of non-Hispanic whites. In addition, mortality rates vary in Tennessee, with 1,139.6 deaths per 100,000 population among blacks compared to whites, who experience 918.9 deaths per 100,000 population.
43. Georgia In Georgia, obesity is more prevalent among non-Hispanic blacks at 37.4 percent than non-Hispanic whites at 24.7 percent. The prevalence of diabetes also varies by race and ethnicity in the state; 12.4 percent of non-Hispanic blacks have diabetes compared to 8.5 percent of non-Hispanic whites. In addition, mortality rates vary in Georgia, with 1,028.2 deaths per 100,000 population among blacks compared to whites, who experience 863.7 deaths per 100,000 population.
42. West Virgini... In West Virginia, smoking is more prevalent among non-Hispanic blacks at 28.3 percent than non-Hispanic whites at 26.4 percent. Mortality rates vary considerably by race and ethnicity in West Virginia, with 1,057.4 deaths per 100,000 population among blacks compared to whites, who experience 976.9 deaths per 100,000 population.
41. Kentucky Strengths include a low prevalence of binge drinking at 10.1 percent of the population, a low incidence of infectious disease at 10.1 cases per 100,000 population and a low violent crime rate at 296 offenses per 100,000 population. Kentucky ranks higher for determinants than for health outcomes, indicating that overall healthiness may improve over time.
40. Arkansas In Arkansas, obesity is more prevalent among non-Hispanic blacks at 38.2 percent than Hispanics at 25.8 percent and non-Hispanic whites at 27.7 percent. The prevalence of diabetes also varies by race and ethnicity in the state; 10.9 percent of non-Hispanic blacks have diabetes compared to 5.5 percent of Hispanics and 8.8 percent of non-Hispanic whites. In addition, mortality rates vary considerably in Arkansas, with 1141.9 deaths per 100,000 population among blacks compared to Hispanics, who experience 326.9 deaths per 100,000 population.
39. Texas In Texas, obesity is more prevalent among Hispanics at 31.8 percent and non-Hispanic blacks at 39.2 percent than non-Hispanic whites at 24.7 percent. The prevalence of diabetes also varies by race and ethnicity in the state; 12.2 percent of non-Hispanic blacks have diabetes and 10.6 percent of Hispanics have diabetes compared to 8.1 percent of non-Hispanic whites. In addition, mortality rates vary in Texas with 1,053.0 deaths per 100,000 population among non-Hispanic blacks compared to 674.7 deaths per 100,000 population among Hispanics and 807.0 deaths per 100,000 population among non-Hispanic whites.
38. Missouri In Missouri, obesity is more prevalent among non-Hispanic blacks at 37.2 percent than non-Hispanic whites at 27.2 percent. The prevalence of diabetes also varies by race and ethnicity in the state; 9.3 percent of non-Hispanic blacks have diabetes compared to 7.9 percent of non-Hispanic whites. In addition, mortality rates vary in Missouri, with 1,116.9 deaths per 100,000 population among blacks compared to whites, who experience 855.3 deaths per 100,000 population.
37. North Caroli... In North Carolina, obesity is more prevalent among non-Hispanic blacks at 40.0 percent than non-Hispanic whites at 25.9 percent. The prevalence of diabetes also varies by race and ethnicity in the state; 14.3 percent of non-Hispanic blacks have diabetes compared to 8.5 percent of non-Hispanic whites. In addition, mortality rates vary in North Carolina, with 1,056.9 deaths per 100,000 population among blacks compared to whites, who experience 839.7 deaths per 100,000 population.
36. Florida In Florida, obesity is more prevalent among non-Hispanic blacks at 35.9 percent than non-Hispanic whites at 21.8 percent and Hispanics at 26.9 percent. The prevalence of diabetes also varies by race and ethnicity in the state; 12.5 percent of non-Hispanic blacks have diabetes compared to 7.9 percent of Hispanics. In addition, mortality rates vary considerably in Florida, with 945.4 deaths per 100,000 population among blacks compared to Hispanics, who experience 586.1 deaths per 100,000 population.
35. Indiana In the past year, the rate of preventable hospitalizations decreased from 83.2 to 78.6 discharges per 1,000 Medicare enrollees. In the past five years, the percentage of children in poverty increased from 13.7 percent to 23.3 percent of persons under age 18. In the past ten years, immunization coverage increased from 41.8 percent to 78.4 percent of children ages 19 to 35 months receiving complete immunizations. Since 1990, the rate of deaths from cardiovascular disease decreased from 425.0 to 310.0 deaths per 100,000 population.
34. Alaska In Alaska, smoking is more prevalent among non-Hispanic American Indians and Alaskan Natives at 39.9 percent than non-Hispanic whites at 19.0 percent. Mortality rates vary considerably by race and ethnicity in Alaska, with 1,054.4 deaths per 100,000 population among American Indians and Alaskan Natives compared to whites, who experience 735.2 deaths per 100,000 population.
33. Ohio Challenges include a high prevalence of obesity at 29.2 percent of the population, high levels of air pollution at 13.4 micrograms of fine particulate per cubic meter, low public health funding at $39 per person, a high rate of preventable hospitalizations at 84.2 discharges per 1,000 Medicare enrollees, many poor mental health days per month at 3.9 days in the previous 30 days and a high rate of cancer deaths at 209.1 deaths per 100,000 population.
32. Delaware In Delaware, obesity is more prevalent among non-Hispanic blacks at 40.2 percent than non-Hispanic whites at 25.5 percent and Hispanics at 28.2 percent. The prevalence of diabetes also varies by race and ethnicity in the state; 10.7 percent of non-Hispanic blacks have diabetes compared to 4.6 percent of Hispanics and 8.2 percent of non-Hispanic whites. In addition, mortality rates vary considerably in Delaware, with 995.1 deaths per 100,000 population among blacks compared to Hispanics, who experience 582.1 deaths per 100,000 population.
31. New Mexico In the past year, the percentage of children in poverty increased from 18.1 percent to 25.9 percent of persons under age 18. In the past five years, the prevalence of obesity increased from 20.2 percent to 25.7 percent of the population. In the past ten years, immunization coverage increased from 43.8 percent to 79.1 percent of children ages 19 to 35 months receiving complete immunizations. Since 1990, the prevalence of smoking declined from 28.5 percent to 19.3 percent of the population.
30. Michigan Challenges include a high prevalence of binge drinking at 18.1 percent of the population, a high prevalence of obesity at 29.5 percent of the population, and a high rate of deaths from cardiovascular disease at 317.9 deaths per 100,000 population.
29. Illinois In the past year, the percentage of children in poverty increased from 14.3 percent to 19.3 percent of persons under age 18. In the past five years, the rate of deaths from cardiovascular disease decreased from 341.2 to 293.8 deaths per 100,000 population. In the past ten years, immunization coverage increased from 57.2 percent to 78.1 percent of children ages 19 to 35 months receiving complete immunizations. Since 1990, the prevalence of obesity increased from 10.9 percent to 26.8 percent of the population.
28. Pennsylvania Strengths include a high rate of high school graduation with 83.5 percent of incoming ninth graders who graduate within four years, a low rate of uninsured population at 9.7 percent and low geographic disparity within the state at 7.9 percent.
27. Arizona Challenges include a high percentage of children in poverty at 26.2 percent of persons under age 18, a high rate of uninsured population at 18.9 percent and limited availability of primary care physicians with 91.4 primary care physicians per 100,000 population.
26. Montana Strengths include a low prevalence of obesity at 24.2 percent of the population, a low incidence of infectious disease at 3.5 cases per 100,000 population, low levels of air pollution at 7.7 micrograms of fine particulate per cubic meter and a low rate of deaths from cardiovascular disease at 241.6 deaths per 100,000 population. Challenges include low immunization coverage with 65.5 percent of children ages 19 to 35 months receiving complete immunizations, a high occupational fatalities rate at 8.6 deaths per 100,000 workers and high geographic disparity within the state at 18.6 percent.
25. New York Strengths include ready availability of primary care physicians with 169.4 primary care physicians per 100,000 population, high public health funding at $115 per person, low geographic disparity within the state at 8.0 percent, a low infant mortality rate at 5.7 deaths per 1,000 live births, a low occupational fatalities rate at 3.7 deaths per 100,000 workers and a low rate of cancer deaths at 180.5 deaths per 100,000 population. Challenges include a high incidence of infectious disease at 35.8 cases per 100,000 population, a low high school graduation rate with 67.4 percent of incoming ninth graders who graduate within four years and a high percentage of children in poverty at 20.3 percent of persons under age 18. New York ranks lower for health determinants than for health outcomes, indicating that overall healthiness may decline over time.
24. Kansas Strengths include few poor mental and physical health days per month at 2.9 days and 3.2 days in the previous 30 days, respectively, a low incidence of infectious disease at 7.6 cases per 100,000 population and a low prevalence of binge drinking at 14.1 percent of the population. Challenges include low public health funding at $41 per person, limited availability of primary care physicians with 101.2 primary care physicians per 100,000 population and a high occupational fatalities rate at 6.7 deaths per 100,000 workers.
23. California Strengths include a low prevalence of smoking at 14.0 percent of the population, a low prevalence of obesity at 24.2 percent of the population, a low occupational fatalities rate at 3.2 deaths per 100,000 workers, a low infant mortality rate at 5.2 deaths per 1,000 live births, a low rate of cancer deaths at 173.9 deaths per 100,000 population and a low rate of preventable hospitalizations with 60.7 discharges per 1,000 Medicare enrollees. Challenges include high levels of air pollution at 13.9 micrograms of fine particulate per cubic meter, a high rate of uninsured population at 18.4 percent and a high incidence of infectious disease at 22.2 cases per 100,000 population. California ranks lower for determinants than for health outcomes, indicating that overall healthiness may decline over time.
21. Virginia Strengths include a low prevalence of smoking at 16.4 percent of the population, a low violent crime rate at 256 offenses per 100.000 population, ready availability of primary care physicians with 125.0 primary care physicians per 100,000 population and few poor mental health days per month at 3.0 days in the previous 30 days. Virginia ranks higher for health determinants than for health outcomes, indicating that overall healthiness should improve over time. Challenges include high levels of air pollution at 12.1 micrograms of fine particulate per cubic meter, low immunization coverage with 73.2 percent of children ages 19 to 35 months receiving complete immunizations and high geographic disparity within the state at 14.9 percent.
20. South Dakota Strengths include a low violent crime rate at 201 offenses per 100,000 population, a low incidence of infectious disease at 5.3 cases per 100,000 population, high immunization coverage with 80.8 percent of children ages 19 to 35 months receiving complete immunizations, a high rate of high school graduation with 84.5 percent of incoming ninth graders who graduate within four years and few poor mental and physical health days per month at 2.7 days and 3.1 days, respectively, in the previous 30 days. South Dakota ranks higher for health determinants than for health outcomes, indicating that overall healthiness should improve over time.
19. Wyoming Strengths include low levels of air pollution at 5.3 micrograms of fine particulate per cubic meter, a low violent crime rate at 232 offenses per 100,000 population, a low percentage of children in poverty at 12.8 percent of persons under age 18 and a low incidence of infectious disease at 3.2 cases per 100,000 population. Challenges include a high occupational fatalities rate at 12.7 deaths per 100,000 workers, limited availability of primary care physicians with 89.6 primary care physicians per 100,000 population and low immunization coverage with 67.6 percent of children ages 19 to 35 months receiving complete immunizations.
18. New Jersey Strengths include a low prevalence of smoking at 14.7 percent of the population, a low prevalence of obesity at 23.5 percent of the population, a low infant mortality rate at 5.4 deaths per 1,000 live births, a high rate of high school graduation with 84.8 percent of incoming ninth graders who graduate within four years, a low occupational fatalities rate at 3.2 deaths per 100,000 workers and ready availability of primary care physicians with 144.1 primary care physicians per 100,000 population.
17. North Dakota Strengths include a low violent crime rate at 167 offenses per 100,000 population, a low incidence of infectious disease at 2.4 cases per 100,000 population, few poor mental and physical health days per month at 2.2 days and 2.8 days in the previous 30 days, respectively, and low levels of air pollution at 5.6 micrograms of fine particulate per cubic meter.
16. Nebraska Strengths include a high rate of high school graduation with 87.0 percent of incoming ninth graders who graduate in four years, few poor mental and physical health days per month at 2.5 days and 2.7 days in the previous 30 days, respectively, low levels of air pollution at 8.0 micrograms of fine particulate per cubic meter and a low infant mortality rate at 5.6 deaths per 1,000 live births.
15. Iowa Strengths include a high rate of high school graduation with 86.9 percent of incoming ninth graders who graduate within four years, a low rate of uninsured population at 9.4 percent, a low infant mortality rate at 5.2 deaths per 1,000 live births and few poor mental and physical health days per month at 2.8 days and 3.1 days in the previous 30 days, respectively.
14. Idaho Strengths include a low incidence of infectious disease at 4.2 cases per 100,000 population, low levels of air pollution at 7.5 micrograms of fine particulate per cubic meter, a low violent crime rate at 229 offenses per 100,000 population, strong public health funding at $116 per person, a low rate of preventable hospitalizations with 51.1 discharges per 1,000 Medicare enrollees and a low rate of cancer deaths at 176.0 deaths per 100,000 population.
13. Oregon Strengths include a low prevalence of smoking at 16.3 percent of the population, a low rate of preventable hospitalizations with 46.6 discharges per 1,000 Medicare enrollees, few poor mental health days per month at 2.9 days in the previous 30 days and a low infant mortality rate at 5.7 deaths per 1,000 live births. Challenges include a high rate of uninsured population at 16.5 percent, low immunization coverage with 72.3 percent of children ages 19 to 35 months receiving complete immunizations and low public health funding at $49 per person.
12. Wisconsin Strengths include a high rate of high school graduation with 87.5 percent of incoming ninth graders who graduate within four years, a low occupational fatalities rate at 3.3 deaths per 100,000 workers, a low incidence of infectious disease at 6.1 cases per 100,000 population, a low percentage of children in poverty at 13.1 percent of persons under age 18, a low rate of uninsured population at 8.9 percent and high immunization coverage with 83.6 percent of children ages 19 to 35 months receiving complete immunizations. Wisconsin ranks higher for health determinants than for health outcomes, indicating that overall healthiness should improve over time.
11. Washington Strengths include a low prevalence of smoking at 15.7 percent of the population, a low percentage of children in poverty at 13.2 percent of persons under age 18, a low infant mortality rate at 4.9 deaths per 1,000 live births and a low rate of preventable hospitalizations with 48.3 discharges per 1,000 Medicare enrollees. Challenges include a low high school graduation rate with 72.9 percent of incoming ninth graders who graduate within four years and high geographic disparity within the state at 12.5 percent.
10. Rhode Island New England's first representative in the top 10, Rhode Island has a low prevalence of obesity, low violent crime rate and ready availability of primary care physicians.
9. Maine The Pine Tree State's residents must take full advantage of the state's untouched beauty. Maine also has a low violent crime rate and low rate of uninsured.
8. Colorado Of course the Rocky Mountain State would make the top 10. The state is known for its outdoor activities, including hiking and skiing. Not surprisingly, Colorado has a low rate of obesity and low level of air pollution.
7. Connecticut Connecticut continues New England's strong representation, but it dropped from second place last year. The state was praised for its low smoking prevalence and low obesity rate. (AP Photo/Darren Abate)
6. Minnesota The North Star State dropped from third place last year, but scored in the top 10 in 11 of the 22 categories being measured. Highlights include the low rate of premature death and the low rate of cardiovascular-related deaths.
5. New Hampshire The Granite State finished one spot higher than last year. Highlights for the state include a low percentage of children in poverty, high immunization coverage, and a low violent crime rate.
4. Hawaii The Aloha State fell to fourth from the top spot last year, but was praised for a low prevalence of smoking, a low prevalence of obesity, low levels of air pollution, and a low rate of uninsured population.
3. Massachusetts Again New England is represented at the top of the list. Massachusetts finished in the top 10 in 10 out of 22 categories. (AP Photo/Bizuayehu Tesfaye)
2. Utah The Beehive State is up from its fifth-place finish last year and is another model of consistency. Utah ranked in the top 10 in 12 of the 22 categories, highlighted by its low prevalence of binge drinking and low prevalence of obesity.
1. Vermont The Green Mountain State finished at the top of the rankings this year, up from its fourth-place finish last year. Highlights include Vermont's high rate of high school graduation, availability of primary care physicians, and low percentage of children in poverty.
How Did Your Sta... Visit http://www.americashealthrankings.org/ to see where your state ranked.