America is currently experiencing a health revolution. Long gone are the glory days of McDonalds and Burger King. Today, green juice has replaced soda and kale is the new potato chip. Yoga and gym classes are as ingrained in people’s schedules as going to the grocery store.
This wave of nutrition though has hit some parts of the country more than others. Using the most recent data from the United Health Foundation’s “America’s Health Rankings” 2015 report, HealthGrove found the 20 healthiest states. These rankings are calculated by a number of factors, but HealthGrove highlighted the following metrics:
– Cardio deaths: Number of deaths due to cardiovascular disease, including heart disease and stroke, per 100,000 population
– Cancer deaths: Number of deaths due to all causes of cancer per 100,000 population
–Lack of health insurance: Percentage of the population that does not have health insurance privately, through their employer, or the government (a two-year average).
–Air Pollution: Average exposure of the general public to particulate matter of 2.5 microns or less in size (PM2.5) in micrograms per cubic meter.
All of these statistics and more evaluate the general nutritional and health makeup of a state. Luckily, many of those living in these states probably have to worry less about their health-related New Year’s resolutions.
#10. Nebraska
Cardio deaths per 100K people: 224.7
Cancer deaths per 100K people: 185.4
Percentage of adults without health insurance: 10.5%
Avg amount of pollution exposure per person: 7.8 µg/m3
Percentage of physically inactive adults: 21.3%
Overall rank: 10
#9. Washington
Cardio deaths per 100K people: 212.9
Cancer deaths per 100K people: 182.8
Percentage of adults without health insurance: 11.6%
Avg amount of pollution exposure per person: 8 µg/m3
Percentage of physically inactive adults: 18.1%
Overall rank: 9
#8. Colorado
Cardio deaths per 100K people: 196.2
Cancer deaths per 100K people: 162.2
Percentage of adults without health insurance: 12.2%
Avg amount of pollution exposure per person: 7 µg/m3
Percentage of physically inactive adults: 16.4%
Overall rank: 8
#7. Utah
Cardio deaths per 100K people: 218.8
Cancer deaths per 100K people: 146.1
Percentage of adults without health insurance: 13.3%
Avg amount of pollution exposure per person: 8.9 µg/m3
Percentage of physically inactive adults: 16.8%
Overall rank: 7
#6. Connecticut
Cardio deaths per 100K people: 217.5
Cancer deaths per 100K people: 174.6
Percentage of adults without health insurance: 8.2%
Avg amount of pollution exposure per person: 8.8 µg/m3
Percentage of physically inactive adults: 20.6%
Overall rank: 6
#5. New Hampshire
Cardio deaths per 100K people: 213.3
Cancer deaths per 100K people: 190.8
Percentage of adults without health insurance: 9.9%
Avg amount of pollution exposure per person: 7.2 µg/m3
Percentage of physically inactive adults: 19.3%
Overall rank: 5
#4. Minnesota
Cardio deaths per 100K people: 186.5
Cancer deaths per 100K people: 179.5
Percentage of adults without health insurance: 7%
Avg amount of pollution exposure per person: 8 µg/m3
Percentage of physically inactive adults: 20.2%
Overall rank: 4
#3. Massachusetts
Cardio deaths per 100K people: 205.6
Cancer deaths per 100K people: 185.6
Percentage of adults without health insurance: 3.5%
Avg amount of pollution exposure per person: 7.2 µg/m3
Percentage of physically inactive adults: 20.1%
Overall rank: 3
#2. Vermont
Cardio deaths per 100K people: 220.3
Cancer deaths per 100K people: 191
Percentage of adults without health insurance: 6.1%
Avg amount of pollution exposure per person: 6.2 µg/m3
Percentage of physically inactive adults: 19%
Overall rank: 2
#1. Hawaii
Cardio deaths per 100K people: 203
Cancer deaths per 100K people: 155.4
Percentage of adults without health insurance: 6%
Avg amount of pollution exposure per person: 7.6 µg/m3
Percentage of physically inactive adults: 19.6%
Overall rank: 1
