How Healthy Is Your State?
Have you ever wondered how healthy your state really is? Well, wonder no more! The World Population Review has ranked each American state, barring Hawaii, from the unhealthiest to the healthiest, using a total health score. And we'll be taking a closer look at those rankings right here. We hope you're ready for what's to come, folks.
49. West Virginia
Before we begin, here's some clarification, folks — if your state has a high number in these rankings, that's bad news. So that brings us on to West Virginia. Rocking a total health score of 100, it finds itself at the bottom of the pile. The Mountain State has an obesity rate of 40.6 percent, while its smoking rate is at 22 percent. That's the highest in the country!
48. Mississippi
With a total health score of 96.55, Mississippi isn't far ahead of West Virginia. And the numbers make for grim reading. 30.9 percent of the population are physically inactive, the obesity rate is at 39.1 percent, and the smoking rate is 19.6 percent. But this is arguably the most concerning stat. The premature death-count per 100,000 people stands at 13,781. That's the highest of any other state.
47. Kentucky
Following on from Mississippi, Kentucky slots in next with a total score of 86.96. A significantly lower number, right? But the stats still don't make for great reading. 38.6 percent of the population are getting insufficient sleep, and the obesity rate is at a whopping 40.3 percent. Yikes!
46. Alabama
Alabama is next up in the rankings, earning a total health score of 85.69. Incredibly, 31.5 percent of the population are physically inactive — the worst number of any state on this list! On top of that, 38.3 percent of people in the Heart of Dixie are getting insufficient sleep, too.
45. Arkansas
With a total score of 85.35, Arkansas just shades Alabama in the rankings. But that's about the only thing to celebrate here! The smoking rate in the Natural State is at 21.1 percent. That's the second-worst number on this list. Meanwhile, 30.6 percent of the population are physically inactive.
44. Tennessee
Next up in the rankings is Tennessee. The Volunteer State has a total health score of 82.81. The depression rates are quite high at 25.2, while the premature death-count per 100,000 people is at 11,654. In addition to that, the smoking rate is at 19.7 percent as well.
43. Louisiana
Posting a total health score of 82.47, Louisiana is the latest entry in the ranking. And there are some worrying numbers here. The premature death-count per 100,000 people in the Pelican State is at 12,377. Only Mississippi and West Virginia have higher figures than that. The obesity rate isn't much better either at 38.6 percent.
42. Oklahoma
Oklahoma joins the ranking next with a total score of 77.28. Breaking it down even further, 28.3 percent of the population are physically inactive, the obesity rate is at 39.4 percent, and the smoking rate comes in at 16.9 percent. They're not the greatest of numbers, right?
41. South Carolina
Coming in just ahead of Oklahoma is South Carolina. The Palmetto State has a total health score of 74.27. 16.6 percent of the population are classed as excessive drinkers, while 33.7 percent are getting insufficient sleep. The obesity rate sits at 36.1 percent, which is fairly low compared to what we've seen so far!
40. Ohio
Rocking a total health score of 73.38, Ohio is next up in the rankings. The smoking rate in the Buckeye State comes in at 18 percent, while 35.5 percent of the population are getting insufficient sleep. Elsewhere, the drug-related death-rate per 100,000 people is 45.40. A worrying figure, wouldn't you agree?
39. Missouri
Coming in just ahead of Ohio, Missouri has a total health score of 71.98. The obesity rate is at 34.4 percent, while 18.2 percent of the people living there are classed as excessive drinkers. 25.3 percent are physically inactive as well. Not the greatest, but not the worst either.
38. Indiana
Indiana joins the conversation now, boasting a total health score of 67.59. 25.9 percent of the population are physically inactive, and the obesity rate sits at 36.3 percent. Meanwhile, the premature death-rate per 100,000 people comes in at 10,155. That's one of the highest figures in the country, folks.
37. Michigan
It's time to welcome Michigan into the mix now, as the Great Lakes State has a total score of 66.72. Breaking down the stats, the smoking rate is at 17 percent, the obesity rate sits at 34.4 percent, and 34.2 percent of folks are getting insufficient sleep. Great numbers? Not quite!
36. New Mexico
New Mexico narrowly edged ahead of Michigan in the ranking, earning a total health score of 66.28. Now, most of the figures look pretty decent for the Land of Enchantment. The smoking rate is only 13.3 percent, while 23 percent of the population are physically inactive. But the biggest problem is the premature death-rate per 100,000. At 11,986, only five other states have worse numbers.
35. North Carolina
There's a bit of a drop here as we focus on the next entry. Yes, North Carolina joins the fray with a total health score of 59.14. The general numbers aren't too bad here, but they could definitely be better. The obesity rate in particular is quite high at 36 percent.
34. Pennsylvania
Following on from the Old North State, Pennsylvania joins the ranking now with a total health score of 53.68. Compared to other states on this list, there aren't that many eye-catching stats here — but one does stand out. Yep, 35.5 percent of the population are getting insufficient sleep.
33. Delaware
Boasting a total score of 53.54, Delaware barely comes ahead of Pennsylvania in the ranking. But two figures in particular stand out for all the wrong reasons. 27.2 percent of the population are physically inactive, while the drug-related death-rate per 100,000 people is at 46. Barring West Virginia and Kentucky, that's higher than anyone else.
32. Nevada
It's getting a little congested here, as Nevada joins the ranking next with a total health score of 53.29. Nothing really jumps out when you break down the stats — apart from one thing. Yes, 35.1 percent of the population are getting insufficient sleep. Could the casinos and entertainment options peppered across the state be contributing to that?
31. Wyoming
It's time to focus on the Equality State now, as Wyoming comes in with a total health score of 52.4. The obesity rate there is at 32 percent, while the smoking rate sits at 16.4 percent. Only 22.9 percent of the population are physically inactive, which isn't too bad!
30. Kansas
Moving on from Wyoming, Kansas is next up in the ranking with a total score of 51.97. Are there any stand-out figures here? Well, the big one is arguably the obesity rate. At 36 percent, it's among the worst-offending states on this list. Everything else is fairly middle-of-the-road.
29. Maine
The next state to join the ranking is Maine. The Pine Tree State has a total health score of 49.65. If you take a closer look at the figures, one stands out for all the right reasons. The premature death-rate per 100,000 people comes in at 6,500. That's among the lowest in the country.
28. Georgia
Up next is Georgia. The Peach State boasts a total health score of 49.27 — but there's a particularly concerning stat here when you break it down. Yep, 35.8 percent of the population are getting insufficient sleep. That's one of the highest numbers across the country.
27. Arizona
Sitting on a total health score of 46.42, Arizona joins the ranking now. And compared to a lot of the states that we've looked at so far, the numbers here are noticeably lower. The smoking rate is at 13.1 percent, while the obesity rate comes to 31.3 percent.
26. South Dakota
With a total score of 43.96, South Dakota comes ahead of Arizona in the ranking. But there are a couple of worrying numbers here. 20.8 percent of the population are seen as excessive drinkers, and the obesity rate is at 38.4 percent. Few other states have worse figures than that in those categories, folks.
25. Florida
Florida enters the scene next, rocking a total health score of 42.85. Now, while the Sunshine State kept many cards close to the chest for this ranking, a few figures did make it through. And one in particular stands out. Yep, the obesity rate is at 28 percent. Only three other states have lower numbers than that.
24. Montana
Following on from Florida, let's focus on Montana now. Big Sky Country has a total health score of 41.11. The obesity rate there is at 31.8 percent, while the smoking rate sits at 14.4 percent. Elsewhere, only 21.2 percent of the population are physically inactive. Not bad, right?
23. Alaska
Alaska joins the ranking next with a total health score of 40.87. But this may surprise you. Both the smoking rate and the excessive drinkers numbers are among the highest in the country. The former sits at 17.1 percent, while the latter comes to 19.4 percent.
22. Iowa
Rocking a total score of 38.52, say hello to Iowa next. Now for the most part, the Hawkeye State has some respectible numbers in this ranking — but two stand out for all the wrong reasons. The obesity rate is quite high at 36.4 percent, and the excessive drinkers stat comes to a whopping 21.1 percent!
21. Illinois
Illinois is the latest state to join the ranking. The Prairie State has a total health score of 37.17. It's a real mixed bag when you break it down, though. The smoking rate is quite low at 12 percent, but 27.2 percent of the population are physically inactive.
20. North Dakota
North Dakota just edges out Iowa in the ranking, with a total health score of 35.72. The numbers are fairly solid across the board — barring one. Yes, 22 percent of the population are excessive drinkers. To call that high would be an understatement, folks!
19. Maryland
Following on from the Peace Garden State, let's focus on Maryland now. The Free State has a total health score of 35.65. And some of the stats make for great reading. For instance, the smoking rate only comes to 10.1 percent. Yet it's not all sunshine and rainbows. The drug-related death-rate per 100,000 people in Maryland is 45. That's one of the highest in the country.
18. Texas
With Maryland in the rear-view mirror, it's time to zone in on the Lone Star State next. Yes, Texas has a total health score of 33.11. The stats are fairly solid across the board — yet one thing could definitely improve. At 36.1 percent, the obesity rate is pretty high.
17. Nebraska
Nebraska edges out Texas in the ranking with a total health score of 28.82. There's some welcome figures here — for instance, the drug-related death-rate per 100,000 people comes to 11.40. Only South Dakota has better numbers than that. Excessive drinking is a problem in the Cornhusker State, though.
16. Wisconsin
Moving on to Wisconsin now, the Badger State has a total score of 27.04. Most of the stats here are okay, sitting in the middle of the pack. Only 20.3 percent of the population are physically inactive, which is one of the better scores on this list. But the excessive drinking number? Oof! At 23.8 percent, no other state comes close.
15. Rhode Island
Sitting on a total health score of 26.19, Rhode Island is next up in the ranking. It boasts one of the lowest obesity rates in the country at 30.1 percent, while the premature death-rate per 100,000 people comes to 7,082. Only a few states can better that figure.
14. New Hampshire
Edging ahead of the Ocean State, New Hampshire joins the ranking now with a total health score of 24.91. In the main, the numbers look pretty good here. The smoking rate is a mere 12.3 percent, and only 20 percent of the population are physically inactive.
13. Virginia
Rocking a total health score of 23.53, Virginia find itself in a decent spot here. The smoking rate isn't bad at 12.4 percent. Meanwhile, only 20.9 percent of the population are physically inactive. Elsewhere, the premature death-rate per 100,000 people comes to 7,931.
12. Vermont
Vermont joins the ranking next, barely beating Virginia with a total health score of 23.37. There's some solid stats here, though. The Green Mountain State is one of the most physically active places in the country — only 17.8 percent avoid consistent exercise! On top of that, 28.2 percent of people are getting insufficient sleep there. That's another decent figure.
11. Oregon
Sporting a total score of 23.05, Oregon just about sees off the competition from Vermont and Viginia in this ranking. The numbers are quite promising in the Beaver State, with both the smoking rate and the obesity rate coming in at the lower-end. The premature death-rate per 100,000 people is on the low-side as well at 7,079.
10. Idaho
It's time to focus on the top ten now, with Idaho kicking things off. The Gem State has a total health score of 15.04. Some of the stand-out stats include a low 16 percent for excessive drinking, and a smoking rate of 13.3 percent.
9. New Jersey
With a total health score of 14.44, New Jersey isn't that far ahead of Idaho in the ranking. But two numbers are sure to catch your eye when breaking down the stats. The obesity rate comes to a low 28.2 percent, while the smoking rate is just 10.7 percent.
8. New York
While they might be neighbors, there's still quite a difference between New Jersey and New York's total health score. The latter wins out at 9. 25.8 percent of the population are physically inactive, and the excessive drinking number comes to 16.4 percent.
7. Connecticut
Following on from the Empire State, Connecticut joins the ranking next. The Constitution State has a total score of 8.23 — and boy, has it earned that number! The smoking rate is at a lowly 11.1 percent, while only 15.7 percent of the population are excessive drinkers.
6. Washington
Washington is next up in the ranking, boasting a total health score of 6.04. There's some excellent figures in this breakdown, folks. The smoking rate is at 10.7 percent, the obesity rate comes to 28.8 percent, and only 17.8 percent of the population are physically inactive.
5. Colorado
Charging ahead of the Evergreen State, Colorado comes in next with a total health score of 5.62. Only 26.8 percent of the population are getting insufficient sleep in the Centennial State — the lowest number across the country. Nice!
4. Massachusetts
Massachusetts joins the fray now, sporting a total health score of 4.52. It has one of the lowest obesity rates in the country at 27.4 percent, and the same can be said about the smoking rate, too. That sits at 10.6 percent.
3. California
Is the Golden State in golden health? Apparently so! Yes, California has a total score of 3.02. It has the second-lowest smoking rate in America at 8.9 percent, while its obesity rate isn't bad either at 27.6 percent.
2. Minnesota
How close can you get?! With a total health score of 1.11, Minnesota just missed out on top spot here. Breaking it down, the stand-out stat is probably the insufficient sleep number. At 27 percent, it's just behind Colorado.
1. Utah
It's time to say hello to the top dog, folks! Yes, with a total health score of 0.6, Utah claims the crown in this ranking. And it's richly deserved. The Beehive State has both the lowest smoking rate and lowest excessive drinking rate in the country. The former is at 7.2 percent, while the latter comes to 12.5 percent.
