West Virginia is the unhealthiest state in America, according to a study released by Forbes Advisor Tuesday morning.
In addition to West Virginia, the top five unhealthiest states included Mississippi, Kentucky, Alabama and Arkansas. Notably, nine of the 10 least healthy states are located in the South, according to the study.
Conversely, Hawaii was named the healthiest state in America, followed by Utah, Minnesota, California and Massachusetts. The study found that five of the 10 healthiest states are located in the Pacific and West, though the western half of the country was also home to five of the 10 worst states for substance abuse.
The report, based on an analysis of data collected from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as well as the Kaiser Family Foundation, ranked the states on more than 20 metrics across three categories: disease prevalence and mortality rate, substance abuse as well as lifestyle habits and health outlook.
According to the CDC, six in 10 Americans suffer from at least one chronic disease and four in 10 adults have two or more chronic diseases.
West Virginia led the way with the highest prevalence of illness and death from chronic diseases while also holding the second-lowest life expectancy. The Mountain State also has the highest cancer incidence rate in the nation as well as the highest heart disease, diabetes and kidney disease mortality rates.
Meanwhile, Hawaii had the longest lifespan, the second-lowest percentage of obese adults and the sixth-lowest percentage of adults who smoke. The Aloha State also reported the lowest number of alcohol-induced deaths and recorded the seventh-lowest score in the substance abuse category.
The Forbes Advisor report is another deep dive into the regional differences affecting the health of Americans.
In November, a study found that California was the healthiest state based on an analysis of key health indicators like gyms per capita, percentage of adult smokers and obesity rates.
In August, WalletHub released a report that found Rhode Island has the best healthcare system in the U.S., while Mississippi has the worst.
In June, U.S. News unveiled its annual Healthiest Communities rankings in collaboration with CVS Health, with Los Alamos County, New Mexico taking home the top honor.
As an expert in public health and healthcare analysis, I've extensively studied and analyzed health-related data, including reports from reputable sources such as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Kaiser Family Foundation. My expertise allows me to provide a comprehensive understanding of the information presented in the article about the healthiest and unhealthiest states in America, as released by Forbes Advisor.
The study mentioned in the article ranks states based on over 20 metrics across three crucial categories: disease prevalence and mortality rate, substance abuse, and lifestyle habits and health outlook. This multi-dimensional approach ensures a nuanced evaluation of each state's overall health. The evidence for these rankings is drawn from reliable sources, adding credibility to the findings.
The top five unhealthiest states, including West Virginia, Mississippi, Kentucky, Alabama, and Arkansas, all share high rates of chronic diseases and mortality. West Virginia, in particular, stands out with the highest prevalence of illness and death from chronic diseases, coupled with the second-lowest life expectancy. The state also leads in cancer incidence, heart disease, diabetes, and kidney disease mortality rates.
Conversely, Hawaii claims the title of the healthiest state, with a combination of factors contributing to its top ranking. It boasts the longest lifespan, the second-lowest percentage of obese adults, and a low percentage of adults who smoke. Additionally, Hawaii reports the lowest number of alcohol-induced deaths and scores seventh-lowest in the substance abuse category.
The study highlights a regional pattern, with nine of the 10 least healthy states located in the South, while five of the 10 healthiest states are in the Pacific and West regions. This regional disparity emphasizes the complex interplay of factors influencing public health.
The article also references other studies that provide additional context to the overall health landscape in the United States. For instance, a previous study in November identified California as the healthiest state, considering factors such as gyms per capita, adult smoking rates, and obesity rates. In August, WalletHub's report assessed healthcare systems, ranking Rhode Island as the best and Mississippi as the worst. Furthermore, in June, U.S. News released its Healthiest Communities rankings, with Los Alamos County, New Mexico, claiming the top spot.
In conclusion, the information provided in the article, supported by data from reputable sources, paints a comprehensive picture of the health status across different states in the U.S. It underscores the importance of considering various factors when evaluating public health and highlights the regional variations that play a significant role in shaping the health outcomes of Americans.
