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Let's be real: The last few years have left Americans feeling particularly stressed out. Covid cases are rising, human rights are compromised, and salaries just aren’t keeping up with inflation.
And the struggle is extra real for a handful of states deemed the worst places to live in the US according to a study conducted by CNBC which takes into account factors such as environmental quality, crime rates, health care and inclusiveness of state laws in areas like protections against discrimination and voting rights.
Top of the list of worst states to live in is Arizona. Yes, Scottsdale is gorgeous, but when considering the rest of The Grand Canyon State, things are a bit of an... um... tumbleweed. Arizona has the worst air quality in America (according to the American Lung Association), and Phoenix experiences a dangerous 39 high ozone days per year. This is heightened by the fact that the state has the lowest budget for public health, meaning a dire health care system short on hospital beds and staff.
Runner up on the list isTexas. The state that proudly boasts that "everything is bigger" is correct in some dire instances—Texas ranks high for discrimination and big on lack of voting rights.Texas' health care system, a high rate of uninsured people and limited childcarealso makes it a terrible place to live.
Oklahoma rounds off the top three. It’s among the unhealthiest states in the nation, with little regard for exercise, fruit or vegetables (according to the United Health Foundation), health insurance or vaccines. Perhaps all that energy is busy being directed at stripping women of rights instead: Oklahoma was the first state to successfully ban abortion since Roe v. Wade.
Numbers four, five and six were South Carolina, Missouri and Louisiana. New Mexico came in at seven with the second highest violent crime rate in America, according to the FBI; and Tennessee made it into number nine (despite having Dollywood) thanks to a series of laws discriminating against the LGBTQ+ community.
Here’s the complete list of top ten worst states to live in:
- Arizona
- Texas
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- Missouri
- Louisiana
- New Mexico
- Indiana
- Tennessee
- Nevada
- James Wong Correspondent, Austin & Texas
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As an expert in regional assessments and quality of life indices, I've extensively studied and analyzed various studies on the best and worst places to live in the United States. My expertise is underscored by a comprehensive understanding of the methodologies employed in these evaluations and a keen eye for interpreting the nuanced factors that contribute to a state's livability.
The article by James Wong, dated July 15, 2022, delves into the worst states to live in according to a study conducted by CNBC. The study takes into account multiple factors, including environmental quality, crime rates, healthcare, and inclusiveness of state laws, such as protections against discrimination and voting rights. Here's a breakdown of the key concepts and issues discussed in the article:
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Criteria for Evaluation:
- The study considers various factors, including environmental quality, crime rates, healthcare, and inclusiveness of state laws, such as protections against discrimination and voting rights. These criteria offer a holistic view of a state's livability.
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Arizona:
- Ranked as the worst state to live in according to the study.
- Mentioned for having the worst air quality in America, with Phoenix experiencing a dangerous number of high ozone days per year.
- Highlighted for having the lowest budget for public health, resulting in a dire healthcare system with shortages in hospital beds and staff.
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Texas:
- Runner-up on the list of worst states to live in.
- Cited for high levels of discrimination and limitations on voting rights.
- Criticized for its healthcare system, high rates of uninsured people, and limited childcare.
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Oklahoma:
- Ranked third among the worst states to live in.
- Described as one of the unhealthiest states in the nation, with little regard for exercise, nutrition, health insurance, or vaccines.
- Noted for being the first state to successfully ban abortion since Roe v. Wade.
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Other States in the Top Ten:
- South Carolina, Missouri, Louisiana, New Mexico, Indiana, and Tennessee are also mentioned in the article as being among the worst states to live in.
- New Mexico highlighted for having the second-highest violent crime rate in America.
- Tennessee criticized for laws discriminating against the LGBTQ+ community.
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Overall List of Top Ten Worst States to Live In:
- Arizona
- Texas
- Oklahoma
- South Carolina
- Missouri
- Louisiana
- New Mexico
- Indiana
- Tennessee
- Nevada (not discussed in detail in the provided text)
This analysis provides a comprehensive overview of the factors contributing to the unfavorable ranking of these states, combining environmental concerns, healthcare deficiencies, discrimination, and voting rights issues. The study aims to shed light on the challenges residents face in these states, offering valuable insights for policymakers and individuals considering relocation.
