Healthiest States
In America 2008
Previous-
How Healthy Is Your State?
That's what publisher CQ Press reveals in its 16th annual list.
Twenty-one factors from infant mortality to obesity to cancer rates are compiled for the rankings.
Click through our gallery to see which 15 states rank as the healthiest, then check out the 15 unhealthiest.
Next: No. 1 Healthiest StateMore Rankings:
-
Beth Gauper, St. Paul Pioneer
No. 1: Minnesota
It has taken nine long years, but Minnesota is back as the Healthiest State in America. The North Star State last topped the rankings in 1999.
It ranks No. 1 in the categories of health insurance coverage and the number of adults who exercise.
Next: No. 2 Healthiest StateMore Rankings:
-
Hector Mata, Getty Images
No. 2: New Hampshire
The Granite State scores second place this year, up from fifth place in 2007.
New Hampshire has the best scores in the categories of lowest rates of sexually transmitted diseases and lowest levels of teenage births.
Next: No. 3 Healthiest StateMore Rankings:
-
Steve Northup, Time Life Pictures | Getty Images
No. 3: Vermont
Long-time winner of the top spot, the Green Mountain State lost its crown this year, and dropped two spots to come in third place.
On the plus side, Vermont is ranked as having the lowest rate of new AIDS cases reported.
Next: No. 4 Healthiest StateMore Rankings:
-
No. 4: Maine
Despite having the highest rate of new cancer cases, the Pine Tree State is the fourth healthiest state in the U.S. again this year.
Maine has the second-lowest rate of sexually transmitted diseases.
Next: No. 5 Healthiest StateMore Rankings:
-
No. 5: Massachusetts
The Bay State dropped from No. 3 to No. 5 this year.
Massachusetts has one of the lowest rates of teenage births and suicides in the nation. It also has the highest percentage of fully immunized children and the second-lowest percentage of obese adults.
Next: No. 6 Healthiest StateMore Rankings:
-
Beth Gauper, St. Paul Pioneer Press / MCT
No. 6: Iowa
The Hawkeye State has ranked among the healthiest states ten of the past 11 years.
Areas where Iowa ranked most strongly are in the percentage of its population covered by health insurance and the rate of safety belt usage.
Next: No. 7 Healthiest StateMore Rankings:
-
Robert Cross, Chicago Tribune/MCT
No. 7: Nebraska
The Cornhusker State drops one notch this year, but still lands as the seventh healthiest state in America.
Access to primary care and a high number of hospital beds available helped put Nebraska high on the list.
Next: No. 8 Healthiest StateMore Rankings:
-
No. 8: Hawaii
The Aloha State, the healthiest state in 1997 and 1998, had dropped to the lower part of the top 10 over the past few years, but inched up one spot since last year.
Categories where Hawaii ranks highly include safety belt usage, low obesity rates, low level of adult smokers and strong health care coverage.
Next: No. 9 Healthiest StateMore Rankings:
-
Scott Olson, Getty Images
No. 9: North Dakota
The Peace Garden State has hovered just outside the top 10 for the last five years ending in 2007, this year it leaps up three spots to come in ninth.
North Dakota ranks No.1 in the categories of lowest average annual health insurance premiums and highest number of hospital beds available.
Next: No. 10 Healthiest StateMore Rankings:
-
No. 10: Rhode Island
The Ocean State makes the top 10 in 2008, inching up one spot from last year's eleventh position.
Rhode Island has one of the lowest suicide rates in America and the highest percentage of health insurance coverage for its children.
Next: No. 11 Healthiest StateMore Rankings:
-
No. 11: Connecticut
The Constitution State moves up two spots, from No. 13 in 2007.
Connecticut has a low rate of teenage births, a high percentage of children covered by health insurance, a low percentage of adult smokers and a low percentage of obese adults.
Next: No. 12 Healthiest StateMore Rankings:
-
Jeff Lawrence, MCT
No. 12: Utah
The Beehive State was the healthiest state back in 1993 and has consistently remained in the top 10, until this year.
On the plus side, it has the lowest rates of infant mortality, new cancer cases and adult smokers in the nation.
Next: No. 13 Healthiest StateMore Rankings:
-
Mike Siegel, Seattle Times/MCT
No. 13: Washington
The Evergreen State fell one spot from 2007, landing at No. 13.
It has the third-lowest percentage of low birthweight births and the second-lowest percentage of infant mortality. It is also in the top five for having a low percentage of adult smokers and a high percentage of adults who exercise.
Next: No. 14 Healthiest StateMore Rankings:
-
Beth Gauper, St. Paul Pioneer Press / KRT
No. 14: Wisconsin
The Badger State moved from No. 15 in 2007 to No. 14 this year.
Wisconsin has the highest percentage of binge drinkers, but scores well in health care coverage and in the percentage of adults who exercise.
Next: No. 15 Healthiest StateMore Rankings:
-
Bo Rader, Wichita Eagle/MCT
No. 15: Kansas
In 2007, the Sunflower State climbed back into the top 10 for the first time since 2001 when it ranked seventh. This year, it drops back down a whopping five spots to No. 15.
Kansas still ranks in the top 10 though for having one of the lowest average annual health insurance premiums.
More: 15 Unhealthiest StatesMore Rankings:
-
AP
More on AOL:
Unhealthiest States
Now that you've seen which states have received top marks for being the healthiest in the nation, check out which ones are at the opposite end of the scale.
Click through our gallery to see the 15 unhealthiest states in America.
· Unhealthiest States
Next: Most Dangerous StatesMore Rankings:
-
Justin Sullivan, Getty Images
More on AOL:
Most Dangerous States
The two most populace states in the U.S., California and New York, don't have the best crime rates, but surprisingly, they are not among the top 15 most dangerous states. See which states do have the highest crime rates.
· 15 Most Dangerous States in U.S.
Next: Safest StatesMore Rankings:
-
Hector Mata, Getty Images
More on AOL:
Safest States
Now that you've seen which states are the healthiest, unhealthiest and most dangerous, find out which are the safest states to live in.
· 15 Safest States in U.S.
Next: Cost of Retirement Hot SpotsMore Rankings:
-
More on AOL:
Retirement Hot Spots
Thinking about changing your address during your golden years? A move is a big decision that should be based on many factors, including what the cost of living will be. Bankrate has rounded up key stats on 62 popular retirement spots, we highlight 30 of them here.
Click through our gallery to check out the prospective communities. Compare the price of goods and services there, everything from the cost of a dozen eggs to median home prices. How Much Does It Cost in ... ?More in Money & Finance:
Recent Comments
Redneckgirl2319 02:36:57 PM Apr 16 2008
Okay so the teenage birth rate may be low, but how high is the abortion rate? Just becuase babies aren't carried to term, doesn't mean that they aren't being created.
Worcesterite 02:14:12 PM Apr 16 2008
Mngal217, the same is here is TAXachusetts. This state gives away my hard earned money like it's water.
Mngal217 01:55:32 PM Apr 16 2008
Being a resident of Minnesota all of my 36 years, I am proud to see we are #1 for the healthiest state! It really is a beautiful state that truly sees all 4 seasons with winter being pretty harsh some years. But it is true, we do have good health care here and for those of us unfortunate enough to not have health insurance through our employers the state has other plans available. The downside of that is a person has to be at poverty level to qualify for those plans. So with that said, it did come as sort of a surprise to me that we are #1 for healthiest. But you can't forget our top-notch welfare system here either, seems like people from all over the country move here just to reap the benefits. For working people like myself (2 jobs) that just irritates the crap out of me!
rla1903a4 01:01:36 PM Apr 16 2008
states have different laws because it was decided that states could govern themselves. The states are united by the national government, but allowed to make their own laws as well.
I noticed it was mostly only southern states who ranked unhealthy. I wonder if that's a lifestyle, economic, or just a biased reason behind it?
TrsGrv 12:54:53 PM Apr 16 2008
Number of illegals has exploded in Utah in last five years. Always a problem in all kinds of ways. But since they get free health care, their stats count.
LINDA MURP 10:24:02 AM Apr 16 2008
All these rankins that we see for best/worst are so silly - such Middle School mentality. Who cares. We're all Americans.
Pannaiota 09:07:51 AM Apr 16 2008
all the new england states in the top 12 healthiest. i love living here!
Kenest66 12:04:21 PM Apr 05 2008
Always knew that New England was somehow the best. I moved to suburban pennsylvania from new york to raise my children in cleaner air and purer circumstances. I moved just six miles from one of the few haz mat burning facilities in the Country. Stupid me
Queen7OfAtlantis 12:34:15 AM Mar 30 2008
A QUESTION IF WE ARE THE UNITED STATES WHY DOES EVERY STATE HAVE DIFFERENT RULES. ALL STATES SHOULD HAVE THE SAME LAW IF WERE UNITED.
IF MAN KEEPS MESSING WITH NATURE, NO PLACE IS GOING TO BE HEALTHY.
Mortgage Basics
How familiar are you with the mortgage process? Mortgage terms? Mortgage fees and costs? Learn about them all here.
- Types of Mortgage Loans
- How Much House Can You Afford?
- Obtaining Preapproval for Mortgages
- Should You Rent or Buy a Home?
- Biweekly Mortgage Loans
- Improve the Value of Your Home
- More Money Basics
Healthy Living
Stockbyte
AOL Body is here to help you lead a more fit and healthy life.
Find the Perfect Home
Mortgages Tools
Use these mortgage calculators and tools to make the most informed decisions about mortgages.
- What Will My Mortgage Payments Be?
- How Much Down Payment?
- Fixed or Adjustable Mortgages?
- 15-Year vs. 30-Year Term Mortgages
- Calculate Mortgage Closing Costs
- Pay Points to Lower Mortgage Rate?
- Which Mortgage Loan Is Better?
- Are You Better Off Renting?
- See All Calculators
Featured Sponsor
$90K Loan for $499/Mo
From LowerMyBills.com
| Type | Current | APR |
|---|---|---|
| 30 Yr Fixed Mtg | 5.69% | 5.84% |
| 15 Yr Fixed Mtg | 5.19% | 5.47% |
| 30 Yr Fixed Jumbo Mtg | 6.48% | 6.71% |
| 3/1 ARM | 5.20% | 5.51% |
| 3/1 ARM (I/O) | 4.96% | 5.42% |
| 5/1 ARM | 5.09% | 5.44% |
| 5/1 ARM (I/O) | 5.13% | 5.43% |
| 7/1 ARM | 5.28% | 5.49% |
| 7/1 ARM (I/O) | 5.33% | 5.48% |
| 30 Yr FHA Mtg | 6.11% | 6.30% |
Mortgage Rates Provided by Bankrate.com
Compare Rates in Your AreaWhat is Your Home Worth?