Massachusetts Ranked the Healthiest State

By Elizabeth Perkin 12/12/17

Courtesy of Creative Commons

The just released 2017 America’s Health Rankings Report has named Massachusetts the healthiest state in the country. The top 5 also include Hawaii, Vermont, Utah, and Connecticut.

This is Massachusetts’ first time being named the healthiest state, knocking Hawaii down from its spot as number 1 for the last 5 years. The rankings take into account a variety of health factors, including rates of infectious diseases, obesity, physical inactivity, smoking and infant mortality, as well as air pollution levels and the availability of healthcare providers.

The report ranks as least healthiest states: West Virginia, Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana, and Mississippi, all of which have major health challenges including a high rate of smoking, obesity, and children in poverty.