Health Rankings by state

The UnitedHealth Foundation completed a 2005 study called "Americas Health Rankings" that among other things measured the various risk factors that contribute to the healthiness of each state.

2005 Results

Minnesota is at the top of the list of healthiest states and has been among the top two healthiest states since 1990.

Vermont ranked second this year followed by New Hampshire, Utah, Hawaii and North Dakota.

Mississippi finished 50th and the least healthy state, while Louisiana was 49th. Tennessee, South Carolina and Arkansas complete the bottom five states.

Minnesota’s strengths include ranking first for a low rate of cardiovascular deaths, a low premature death rate and a low percentage of uninsured population. It is also in the top five states for a low percentage of children in poverty, a low total mortality rate, a low infant mortality rate, a low occupational fatalities rate, a low rate of motor vehicle deaths and a high rate of high school graduation.

Mississippi is 50th this year, down from 49th in 2004. Mississippi has been in the bottom three states since the 1990 Edition. The state ranks well in all three health policy measures: (access to adequate prenatal care, per capita public health spending and immunization coverage. It ranks in the bottom five states on nine of the 18 measures: a high premature death rate, a high infant mortality rate, a high total mortality rate, a high rate of cardiovascular deaths, a high percentage of children in poverty, a high prevalence of obesity, a high rate of motor vehicle deaths, a high occupational fatalities rate, and a high number of limited activity days. It also ranks in the bottom 10 states for two other measures.

"lack of health insurance" is one of the risk factors that contribute to a state's healthiness factor.  See how the states rank regarding adults without health insurance coverage.

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