Americas Health Rankings2012 EditionshowsVermontat the top of the list of healthiest states again this year. The state steadily rose in the rankings over the last 14 years from a ranking of 17thin 1998 to first, where it has remained for 4 consecutive years. See how Vermont ranks in each sub-category below.
Hawaiiis ranked second this year, an improvement from ranking third in the 2011 Edition and fifth in the 2009 and 2010 Editions. Hawaii has ranked in the top 6 states every year of the index.New Hampshireis third, followed byMassachusettsandMinnesota.MississippiandLouisianatie for 49thas the least healthy states.Arkansas,West Virginia, andSouth Carolinacomplete the bottom 5 states.
Vermontascended from 20thin 1990 and 1991 to the top position with sustained improvement in the last decade. Vermonts strengths include its number one position for all health determinants combined, which includes ranking in the top 10 states for a high rate of high school graduation, a low violent crime rate, a low incidence of infectious disease, a low prevalence of low birthweight infants, high per capita public health funding, a low rate of uninsured population, and ready availability of primary care physicians.
Vermonts challenges are a high prevalence of binge drinking at 18.5 percent of the adult population, a moderate occupational fatalities rate at 3.9 deaths per 100,000 workers, and a moderately high cancer death rate at 185.0 deaths per 100,000 population.
Nationally, findings of the study include obesity rising across the country, including Vermont; smoking decreasing consistently; and diabetese on the increase.
MississippiandLouisianaare tied for 49thand rank last this year. These 2 states have been in the bottom 3 states since the 1990 Edition.
Mississippi ranks well for a low prevalence of binge drinking and a low violent crime rate. It ranks in the bottom 5 states on 12 of the 24 measures including a high prevalence of obesity, a high prevalence of a sedentary lifestyle, a low high school graduation rate, limited availability of primary care physicians, a high prevalence of low birthweight infants, and a high prevalence of diabetes. Mississippi ranks 49thfor all health determinants combined, so its overall ranking is unlikely to change significantly in the near future.
Louisiana ranks well for a low prevalence of binge drinking and a high rate of childhood immunizations. It ranks in the bottom 5 states on 13 of the 24 measures including a high prevalence of obesity, a high rate of children in poverty, a high rate of low birthweight infants, a high prevalence of diabetes, and a high rate of cardiovascular and cancer deaths.
VERMONT DATA
CORE MEASURES
Measure
Changes
Over Time
Rank
Value
Take Action
Smoking
11
19.1
VIEW ACTIONS
Binge Drinking
27
18.5
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Obesity
13
25.4
VIEW ACTIONS
Sedentary Lifestyle
5
21
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High School Graduation Rate
2
89.6
VIEW ACTIONS
Infectious Disease
1
2.8
VIEW ACTIONS
Children in Poverty
15
16.4
VIEW ACTIONS
Air Pollution
7
7
VIEW ACTIONS
Violent Crime
2
130.2
VIEW ACTIONS
Occupational Fatalities
20
3.9
VIEW ACTIONS
Lack of Health Insurance
3
9
VIEW ACTIONS
Public Health Funding
3
148.64
VIEW ACTIONS
Immunization Coverage
11
92.8
VIEW ACTIONS
Primary Care Physicians
4
169.8
VIEW ACTIONS
Preventable Hospitalizations
7
50.6
VIEW ACTIONS
Low Birthweight
2
6.1
VIEW ACTIONS
Diabetes
4
7.7
VIEW ACTIONS
Poor Mental Health Days
19
3.7
VIEW ACTIONS
Poor Physical Health Days
16
3.7
VIEW ACTIONS
Geographic Disparity
1
0.056
VIEW ACTIONS
Cardiovascular Deaths
9
230.5
VIEW ACTIONS
Cancer Deaths
28
185
VIEW ACTIONS
Premature Death
2
5712
VIEW ACTIONS
Infant Mortality
10
5.4
VIEW ACTIONS
All Determinants
1
0.947
VIEW ACTIONS
All Outcomes
5
0.249
VIEW ACTIONS
Overall
1
1.196
VIEW ACTIONS
SUPPLEMENTAL MEASURES
Measure
Changes
Over Time
Rank
Value
Take Action
Cholesterol Check
18
77.2
VIEW ACTIONS
Dental Visit, Annual
9
75.6
VIEW ACTIONS
Physical Activity
5
79
VIEW ACTIONS
Fruits
5
1.11
VIEW ACTIONS
Teen Birth Rate
3
17.9
VIEW ACTIONS
Vegetables
SEE MAP
12.11.2012
PHOTO: Courtesy March of Dimes