MAP SHOWS MOST—AND LEAST—HEALTHY STATES
A recent report from America’s Health Rankings revels which states in the U.S. are the healthiest—and which are less so.
Why It Matters
The publication of the report come as the Trump administration continues to push its “Make America Healthy Again” platform.
The administration recently announced new dietary guidelines, backing a major shift toward more protein, full-fat dairy, and healthy fats while warning against ultra-processed foods and added sugars.
What To Know
According to America’s Health Rankings—the from United Health Foundation—the healthiest state in the U.S. is New Hampshire.
The platform noted that it was the healthiest state in the report’s rankings for the fourth consecutive year.
The state ranked among the top five states in the country in Social and Economic Factors, Behaviors, Clinical Care, and Health Outcomes, also ranking ninth for Physical Environment.
New Hampshire’s strengths lie in its low levels of non‑medical drug use, alongside a strong rate of high school completion and a small share of adults who use e‑cigarettes.
The state’s weaknesses included a high rate of excessive alcohol consumption and low per capita public health funding, America’s Health Rankings said.
Rounding out the top five were Massachusetts in second place, Vermont in third place, and Connecticut and Utah in fourth and fifth places respectively.
On the other end of the spectrum, Louisiana was rated as the least healthy state in the country.
America’s Health Rankings said it ranked among the bottom five U.S. states in Economic Factors, Physical Environment, Behaviors and Health Outcomes. The state ranked 38 in Clinical Care, it said.
How It Was Calculated
America’s Health Rankings said that its overall state rankings were based on 50 measures across five categories of health, these being: Social and Economic Factors, Physical Environment, Behaviors, Clinical Care and Health Outcomes.
The state rankings were based on weighted measures that represented current population health issues, had state-level data available, maintained consistent measurement across all states, were currently and routinely update, and “allowed for improvement over time,” the platform said.
What People Are Saying
Executive vice president and chief medical officer at UnitedHealth Group Margaret-Mary Wilson said in the report: “The value of data is purposeful action. Each of us has a role to play in turning these insights into a healthier future: for individuals, communities, states and the nation. America’s Health Rankings provides the demographic, state-based and national data that are critical to build on progress and identify areas of opportunity to improve well-being.”
What Happens Next
America’s Health Rankings publishes its report annually.
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2026-01-09T18:43:36Z
