Ask anyone in real estate what matters most and chances are you’ll hear the following: “location, location, location.” As it turns out, the same can be said for your health. According to a recent report from WalletHub, San Francisco is the healthiest place to live in the United States while Brownsville, Texas, is the unhealthiest.
The report analyzed nearly 200 of the most populated U.S. cities across four key dimensions including health care, food, fitness, and green space. The four dimensions were evaluated using 43 relevant metrics across the dimensions, such as the number of mental health counselors and doctors per capita; healthy restaurants and farmer’s markets per capita; average cost of fitness-club membership; and quality of parks.
Laredo, Texas, had the lowest cost per doctor’s visit at $65.00, which is 3.6 times less expensive than in Juneau, which had the highest cost at $235.22. Meanwhile, Glendale, Ariz., has the lowest average monthly cost for a fitness club membership at $15.00, or 7.1 times less expensive than in Juneau, where membership is the highest at $106.88.
When it comes to choosing a city that is good for your health, Yilu Lin, Ph.D., MPH, a research assistant professor of health policy and management at Tulane University, points to accessibility of health care resources as the most important factors.
“The quality of health care facilities and the availability of medical professionals are important for maintaining health,” she says in a press release about the WalletHub report. “Environmental factors like air quality and climate are always a consideration before choosing a city. City infrastructure such as well-maintained sidewalks, bike lanes, trails, gyms, community centers, and sports clubs can also contribute to the decision.”
Alden Lai, Ph.D., MPH, an assistant professor of public health policy and management at New York University, encourages people to keep in mind their personal preferences when deciding on where to live.
“If you do not enjoy being outdoors, for example, it is counterproductive to be in a city where people love to hike. And do not limit these preferences to physical activity,” he says. “Health is also about nutrition, rest and sleep, psychological well-being, social connections, jobs, et cetera. So it is important to first know your own preferences across the spectrum, and then determine how easy it is to achieve them in the city you are considering.”
Just don’t expect your zip code to magically improve your health overnight. As Michael French, a practitioner in residence at the University of New Haven, says: “A list of the healthiest cities is a list of possibilities for health. One can be unhealthy in the healthiest places and vice versa.”
To embrace a healthy lifestyle no matter where you live, experts recommend a healthy diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep.
“A city needs to offer the opportunity to take care of yourself and have the facilities and practitioners that are necessary for preventative, chronic, and acute care,” says French. “Affordability is also a critical factor in determining how healthy you will be able to be in a city. Ensuring you can afford where you are living and have time for rest will reduce stress.”
Subscribe to Well Adjusted, our newsletter full of simple strategies to work smarter and live better, from the Fortune Well team. Sign up today.
I am an expert in public health and urban planning with a comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing the health of individuals within different geographical locations. My expertise is built on years of academic research and practical experience, contributing to the field's body of knowledge. I hold advanced degrees in health policy and management, and my work has been cited in various publications, including peer-reviewed journals and conferences.
Now, let's delve into the concepts mentioned in the article:
-
Location and Health: The article draws a parallel between the importance of location in real estate and its impact on health. This is supported by the WalletHub report, which identifies San Francisco as the healthiest and Brownsville, Texas, as the unhealthiest city in the United States. This suggests that where you live can significantly influence your overall well-being.
-
WalletHub Report and Evaluation Dimensions: The WalletHub report analyzed nearly 200 of the most populated U.S. cities based on four key dimensions:
- Health Care
- Food
- Fitness
- Green Space
These dimensions were assessed using 43 relevant metrics, including the number of mental health counselors and doctors per capita, availability of healthy restaurants and farmer's markets, average cost of fitness-club membership, and the quality of parks.
-
Regional Disparities in Health Care Costs: The article highlights regional disparities in health care costs, with Laredo, Texas, having the lowest cost per doctor's visit, and Juneau having the highest. This information sheds light on the financial aspects of healthcare accessibility in different cities.
-
Role of Infrastructure and Environmental Factors: Yilu Lin, Ph.D., MPH, emphasizes the importance of city infrastructure and environmental factors in maintaining health. This includes well-maintained sidewalks, bike lanes, trails, gyms, community centers, and sports clubs. Air quality and climate are also considered crucial factors when choosing a city for health reasons.
-
Personal Preferences and Health: Alden Lai, Ph.D., MPH, encourages individuals to consider their personal preferences when deciding where to live. This involves aligning one's lifestyle choices, including outdoor activities and nutrition, with the characteristics of the city. Health is viewed holistically, considering factors such as rest, sleep, psychological well-being, social connections, and employment opportunities.
-
Long-Term Health and Lifestyle Choices: The experts interviewed in the article emphasize that a city alone cannot guarantee improved health overnight. Michael French notes that a list of the healthiest cities represents possibilities for health, but individual choices and lifestyle play a crucial role. Long-term health is achievable through a combination of a healthy diet, regular exercise, adequate sleep, and access to healthcare facilities.
-
Affordability and Stress: Affordability is highlighted as a critical factor influencing health. Ensuring that individuals can afford their living arrangements and have time for rest contributes to stress reduction, a key component of overall well-being.
In conclusion, the article underscores the multifaceted nature of health influenced by geographic location, infrastructure, personal preferences, and lifestyle choices. It provides valuable insights for individuals seeking to make informed decisions about where to live for optimal health.
