# The 10 most and least healthy states in the US **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [December 15, 2013, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-10-most-and-least-healthy-states-in-the-us/676351 "2013-12-15T03:25:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![deltasigma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e5b9ba/32.png) [@deltasigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deltasigma)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2013, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-10-most-and-least-healthy-states-in-the-us/676351/1 "2013-12-15T03:25:11Z")
More information at each link [Least Healthy](http://www.businessinsider.com/these-are-the-10-unhealthiest-states-in-the-us-2013-12) **10. Indiana** **9. Tennessee** **8. South Carolina** **7. Oklahoma** **6. Kentucky** **5. West Virginia** **4. Alabama** **3. Louisiana** **2. Arkansas** **1. Mississippi** [Most Healthy](http://www.businessinsider.com/the-10-healthiest-states-of-2013-2013-12) **10. New Jersey** **9. North Dakota** **8. Colorado** **7. Connecticut** **6. Utah** **5. New Hampshire** **4. Massachusetts** **3. Minnesota** **2. Vermont** **1. Hawaii** ---
**Author:** ![Zeldar](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/b77776/32.png) [@Zeldar](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Zeldar)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2013, 4:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-10-most-and-least-healthy-states-in-the-us/676351/2 "2013-12-15T04:09:13Z")
… ---
**Author:** ![PastTense](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/pasttense/32/14550_2.png) [@PastTense](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/PastTense)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2013, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-10-most-and-least-healthy-states-in-the-us/676351/3 "2013-12-15T04:31:04Z")
For least healthy, a large percentage of blacks (especially poor blacks) in the South stands out. Indiana seems a bit surprising. Is there that much difference between Indiana and Minnesota? ---
**Author:** ![epbrown01](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7ba0ec/32.png) [@epbrown01](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/epbrown01)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2013, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-10-most-and-least-healthy-states-in-the-us/676351/4 "2013-12-15T04:46:02Z")
> [@deltasigma](#): > > More information at each link > > [Least Healthy](http://www.businessinsider.com/these-are-the-10-unhealthiest-states-in-the-us-2013-12) > **3. Louisiana** > **2. Arkansas** > **1. Mississippi** I can practically hear Charlaine Harris saying “told ya!” A member of the Arkansas and Louisiana Chambers of Commerce she’s not. ---
**Author:** ![monstro](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/ba9def/32.png) [@monstro](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/monstro)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2013, 4:51am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-10-most-and-least-healthy-states-in-the-us/676351/5 "2013-12-15T04:51:41Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > For least healthy, a large percentage of blacks (especially poor blacks) in the South stands out. West Virginia is also on that list. Do you find that interesting too? ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2013, 5:12am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-10-most-and-least-healthy-states-in-the-us/676351/6 "2013-12-15T05:12:11Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > Indiana seems a bit surprising. Is there that much difference between Indiana and Minnesota? Speaking as someone who has lived in the Midwest his entire life, and has visited both states often: heck, yes. Just from a public health and public policy standpoint, Indiana often comes across as fairly backwards and undeveloped. Chicago residents frequently cross the border to buy cheap cigarettes (because Indiana taxes them far less), and the state just seems to be noticeably less enlightened on public health. ---
**Author:** ![Giles](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/giles/32/60_2.png) [@Giles](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Giles)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2013, 5:15am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-10-most-and-least-healthy-states-in-the-us/676351/7 "2013-12-15T05:15:50Z")
I think the correlation is between poor health and poorness in financial terms. WV doesn’t have poor blacks, but it does have a lot of poor whites. Indiana includes some poor suburbs of Chicago in Lake County, some rust-belt cities in the north, and reaches south towards the true south on the other side of the Ohio River. ---
**Author:** ![Silvorange](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/8dc957/32.png) [@Silvorange](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Silvorange)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2013, 5:19am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-10-most-and-least-healthy-states-in-the-us/676351/8 "2013-12-15T05:19:47Z")
> [@PastTense](#): > > For least healthy, a large percentage of blacks (especially poor blacks) in the South stands out. > > Indiana seems a bit surprising. Is there that much difference between Indiana and Minnesota? Indiana borders Kentucky, though. I live in KY and we have a lot of obesity and smoking. I promise you, there are plenty of unhealthy white folks on both sides of the river. ---
**Author:** ![kenobi\_65](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/kenobi_65/32/13178_2.png) [@kenobi\_65](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/kenobi_65)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2013, 5:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-10-most-and-least-healthy-states-in-the-us/676351/9 "2013-12-15T05:23:44Z")
> [@Giles](#): > > I think the correlation is between poor health and poorness in financial terms. WV doesn’t have poor blacks, but it does have a lot of poor whites. Indiana includes some poor suburbs of Chicago in Lake County, some rust-belt cities in the north, and reaches south towards the true south on the other side of the Ohio River. I think it’s likely a big factor. Minnesota ranks 11th in per-capita income; Indiana ranks 37th. > **[List of U.S. states and territories by income](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_U.S._states_by_income#States_ranked_by_per_capita_income)** > > This is a list of U.S. states, territories, and Washington, D.C. by income. Data is given according to the 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) 1-Year Estimates, except for the American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands and the U.S. Virgin Islands, for which the data comes from 2010, as ACS does not operate in these areas.\[note 1\] > Data given in inflation-adjusted dollars. Tables do not reflect the margin of error in the values. > .mw-parser-output .hover-highlight tr:hover,.mw-parser-o... ---
**Author:** ![carnut](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/carnut/32/3531_2.png) [@carnut](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/carnut)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2013, 5:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-10-most-and-least-healthy-states-in-the-us/676351/10 "2013-12-15T05:25:42Z")
Minnesota has a statewide system of parks that are used for some pretty strenuous activities. We get enough snow for cross country skiing and activities like hockey, curling, and broomball keep us active in the winter. Also, as said above, MN citizens and gov’t just seem to be more health aware. I am not dissing Indiana folks when I say this. Believe it or not, I do think our colder winters help our health. We have a high number of winter activities simply because waiting a day or three for the weather to warm up is not an option. Our activities are designed with the cold in mind. ---
**Author:** ![Hampshire](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/hampshire/32/4887_2.png) [@Hampshire](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Hampshire)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2013, 6:07am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-10-most-and-least-healthy-states-in-the-us/676351/11 "2013-12-15T06:07:04Z")
Minneapolis/St.Paul was one of the first areas to lose ALL of their Krispy Kreme shops in their decline. They also have no Dunkin Donuts. The only place to get donuts is a specialty bakery or grocery store or gas station. Some folks wanted Dunkin Donuts to open here but DD response was that market research showed their wasn’t enough demand. ---
**Author:** ![j666](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/9de0a6/32.png) [@j666](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/j666)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2013, 4:50pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-10-most-and-least-healthy-states-in-the-us/676351/12 "2013-12-15T16:50:49Z")
May I go off-topic for a moment? Why doesn’t the article describe or at least link to the metrics used? It takes **four** clicks to get to the metrics. Why do some many articles of this type not provide any useful information? This article is just a beauty pageant. I would like to see a ranking of so-called “science” reporting. If anyone is interested: [This page has links to the background information](http://www.americashealthrankings.org/About) [These are the criteria used](http://www.americashealthrankings.org/About/Model) [Descriptions of the Criteria](http://www.americashealthrankings.org/About/SummaryDescriptionofallMeasures) [And you can poke around in the data yourself](http://www.americashealthrankings.org/CustomReport) When I compare Minnesota and Indiana, the higher air pollution in Indiana and low inactivity (odd phrasing …) pops out. ---
**Author:** ![Chimera](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/8e8cbc/32.png) [@Chimera](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chimera)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2013, 4:54pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-10-most-and-least-healthy-states-in-the-us/676351/13 "2013-12-15T16:54:07Z")
Indiana, the “south” of the North. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2013, 4:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-10-most-and-least-healthy-states-in-the-us/676351/14 "2013-12-15T16:58:44Z")
Ah, Vermont. Where the weak, elderly, and unhealthy are killed off by the winters, leaving more maple syrup for the rest of us. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2013, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-10-most-and-least-healthy-states-in-the-us/676351/15 "2013-12-15T17:28:44Z")
> [@carnut](#): > > Also, as said above, MN citizens and gov’t just seem to be more health aware. > > I am not dissing Indiana folks when I say this. Believe it or not, I do think our colder winters help our health. We have a high number of winter activities simply because waiting a day or three for the weather to warm up is not an option. Our activities are designed with the cold in mind. Minnesota was one of the first states to pass a clean air indoor act as well. And for those of us who don’t like cold weather sports - when the weather is warm - we often want to be outside in it. When you will only brave outside six months a year, you make the most of those six months - so there are six or eight month joggers, a lot of golfers who golf EVERY WEEKEND when they can, and people who walk - a lot - between April and October because you take the sunshine when you can. ---
**Author:** ![Little\_Nemo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/little_nemo/32/3120_2.png) [@Little\_Nemo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Little_Nemo)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2013, 5:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-10-most-and-least-healthy-states-in-the-us/676351/16 "2013-12-15T17:43:15Z")
People down south don’t get the great aerobic workout of shoveling snow for four months of the year. I assume Hawaiians have to shovel away lots of volcano ash or something. ---
**Author:** ![MeanOldLady](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/meanoldlady/32/10737_2.png) [@MeanOldLady](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/MeanOldLady)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2013, 5:44pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-10-most-and-least-healthy-states-in-the-us/676351/17 "2013-12-15T17:44:25Z")
> [@j666](#): > > May I go off-topic for a moment? > > Why doesn’t the article describe or at least link to the metrics used? It takes **four** clicks to get to the metrics. Why do some many articles of this type not provide any useful information? This article is just a beauty pageant. I approve of these off-topic remarks as I was just bitching about this sort of thing (very loudly and to myself) earlier this morning. I kept running across article after article about the Pope’s smackdown on greed and wealth inequality, which are now resurfacing everywhere after his being named Time’s Person of the Year, so I attempted to read it in his own words, and guess how far I got with that. It took me for-fucking-ever, but I finally found it, no thanks to any of the “news” sources I read. The worst is when an article links to _another article_ about a report, as opposed to the report itself. Argh! God, if I didn’t love the internet so much, I would f-ing hate it. Anyway, yeah, so I looked up CA and IL just for kicks, and I’m not surprised that CA has low obesity and low smoking rates (CA has nearly made smoking a jailable offense) and that IL scores high on binge drinking. You know, there really is nothing else to do in the Midwest. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2013, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-10-most-and-least-healthy-states-in-the-us/676351/18 "2013-12-15T18:20:11Z")
> [@](#): > > 1. South Carolina > > South Carolina has a low high school graduation rate compared to other states: only about 68% of high school students graduate in four years. More than 3 out of 10 people in South Carolina don’t graduate from HIGH SCHOOL in four years! ---
**Author:** ![deltasigma](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/e5b9ba/32.png) [@deltasigma](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/deltasigma)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2013, 6:20pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-10-most-and-least-healthy-states-in-the-us/676351/19 "2013-12-15T18:20:15Z")
I just post this stuff for the casual amusement value. I don’t think anyone actually cares about it. The thing that got my attention was the fact that NJ was on the healthy list. But if morbidity and mortality statistics are what you’re into, that’s cool. I would suggest checking out the [CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)](http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/). That’s probably where a lot of the information comes from anyway. ---
**Author:** ![Dangerosa](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/22d042/32.png) [@Dangerosa](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Dangerosa)\ **Post date:** [December 15, 2013, 6:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-10-most-and-least-healthy-states-in-the-us/676351/20 "2013-12-15T18:27:49Z")
> [@deltasigma](#): > > I just post this stuff for the casual amusement value. I don’t think anyone actually cares about it. The thing that got my attention was the fact that NJ was on the healthy list. But if morbidity and mortality statistics are what you’re into, that’s cool. I would suggest checking out the [CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR)](http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/). That’s probably where a lot of the information comes from anyway. I think you are probably wrong that no one cares. As a Minnesotan, we take a great deal of pride in our lack of couch potatoness (a contributor to this). Another thing that stands out when I look at the data - we have a lot of physicians - duh, when you are home to Mayo, as well as other good hospital systems, you don’t have a problem bringing in adequate doctors - and our medical infrastructure is another point of state pride. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-10-most-and-least-healthy-states-in-the-us/676351.md?page=2)