Most American adults don’t fit healthy. According to the CDC, six out of 10 Americans have some form of chronic condition. 4/10 of adults suffer from two or more chronic illnesses.
Certain regions of the nation have higher rates of suicide due to the unhealthy lifestyles of people and alcohol abuse.
To determine the healthiest and least States, Forbes Advisor gathered data for 21 measures that were collected from the Kaiser Family Foundation and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In particular, we looked at measures that fall into three main areas: prevalence of disease and mortality rate, drug misuse, and lifestyle and health outlook.
Top 5 Least Healthy States
1. West Virginia
The score of West Virginia is: 100/100
West Virginia tops our list as the most unhealthy state. It is the state with the highest rate of deaths and illnesses caused by chronic illnesses.
West Virginians have the 2nd lowest life expectancy in the nation (73.9), and West Virginia ranks among the lowest in the nation when it comes to various health-related indicators, including:
- Rate of cancer incidence (709.10 diagnosed per 100,000 residents of the state).
- Percentage of adult patients with diagnosed diabetes (13.2 percent).
- The mortality rate for cancer (261.94 deaths per 100,000 state residents).
- The mortality rate for diabetes (55.23 mortality per 100,000 residents in the state).
- The heart disease mortality rate is (284.49 deaths per 100,000 residents of the state).
- Kidney mortality rate from disease (27.46 deaths per 100 state residents).
- The prevalence of chronic lower respiratory disorder (CLRD) death was 93.55 CLRD deaths per 100,000 residents in the state between 2018 and 2020). CLRD includes COPD as well as emphysema, asthma, and chronic bronchitis.
West Virginia also ranked second in the nation for healthful lifestyle and overall health outlook.
Another alarming statistic is they show that West Virginia has the highest number of fatal overdoses from drugs in the United States (57.13 per 100,000 residents), the highest percentage of smokers among adults (22.80 percent), and the second-highest proportion of overweight adults (39.8 percent) just a little behind Mississippi.
2. Mississippi
Mississippi’s score is 96.55 out of 100
Mississippi is ranked second overall in unhealthy states. Mississippi is ranked second in the number of deaths and disease cases from chronic illness. It is also ranked first among the states with the most unhealthy lifestyle practices.
The state has the top proportion of obese adults across the country (39.87 percent) and has the west expected life span for newborns (73.63) with the highest proportion of people who exercised during the last month (32.87 percent). Compare Mississippi’s percentage of exercise to Utah and Colorado, where just 17% of adult respondents claim they did not exercise over the last month.
The Magnolia State was also among the worst for several health-related indicators, such as:
- Rate of mortality from hypertension (18.99 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants).
- Rate of mortality from pneumonia and influenza (29.41 mortalities per 100,000 inhabitants).
- The mortality rate for Alzheimer’s disease (59.06 death per 100 residents).
Mississippi is also ranked second in the following areas:
- Percentage of adult patients with diagnosed diabetes (13.03 Percentage of adults with diagnosed diabetes (13.03).
- The mortality rate for diabetes (is 41.73 mortality per 100,000 inhabitants).
- Kidney mortality rate for kidney disease (26.61 mortalities per 100,000 inhabitants).
- Reports of misuse of opioids during the last year (5.2 percent).
3. Kentucky
Kentucky’s mark: 86.96 out of 100
It is Bluegrass State ranked as the third state with the lowest health score and is ranked as the third state among states that have the poorest health-related lifestyle.
Kentucky’s sobering statistics include:
- Second place for the highest proportion of smokers (21.53 Percentage).
- Fourth-highest likelihood to mention overweight (37.8 percent).).
- The second-highest proportion of adults who didn’t exercise last month (31.3 percent) and the fourth-lowest life expectation when you were born (74.77).
- The sixth highest rate of fatal overdoses (35.32 per 100,000 state residents).
Kentucky is also the fifth worst in the overall category of mortality and disease rates. Kentucky has the third-highest mortality rate for cancer (223.91 deaths per 100,000 residents) and chronic respiratory diseases (75.21 deaths per 100,000 residents).
Kentucky residents also had:
- The fourth highest incidence of cancer (643.13 diagnoses per 100,000 state residents).
- The sixth highest mortality rate due to diabetes (34.49 mortalities per 100,000 residents in the state).
- Seventh highest mortality rate for kidney disease percentage (21.53 deaths per 100 state residents).
4. Alabama
Alabama’s Score: 85.69 out of 100
Alabama is ranked as the fourth worst overall and was also ranked fourth in two areas, including mortality and disease incidence rate, health outlook, and lifestyle choices.
One problem in Alabama is that its residents don’t exercise enough: 38.33 percent of Alabama adults are obese, and 30.6 percent don’t exercise in 30 days, the third-highest rate nationwide. Alabama has the lowest life expectancy in the country (74.5). It is the only state that Mississippi and West Virginia have a lower life average.
On average, 63.63 Alabamans die of stroke per 100,000 residents, and 55.35 die because of Alzheimer’s disease per 100,000 (the second-highest number in the country).
Alabama can also be described as:
- The third highest proportion of people with diabetes is diagnosed in adults (12.83 percent)
- Fifth highest heart disease-related deaths in the United States (275.54 per 100,000 residents).
- The most likely nation to be a victim of opioid abuse (5.3 percent).
5. Arkansas
Arkansas” scores: 85.35 out of 100
Arkansas ranked No. 5 among the healthiest states. It ranks third in disease burden and deaths caused by chronic illness.
The factors that have contributed to Arkansas’s low performance include:
- The second highest number is death from heart disease (280.48 per 100,000 residents of the state) and chronic respiratory disease death (78.92 per 100,000 residents).
- The third-highest mortality rate for diabetes (40.14 mortality per 100,000 residents of the state) and the fourth-highest Alzheimer’s mortality rate (52.28 deaths per 100,000 residents of the state).
- 6th-highest rate for pneumonia and influenza death (21.86 per 100,000 residents of the state) and kidney disease mortality (22.65 per 100,000 residents).
- Fifth of the states have the poorest healthy living habits and health outlook.
Arkansas has the third-highest percentage of smokers in the nation (20.6 percent) and the seventh-highest proportion in obese adult population (37.5 percent). Arkansas adults were fourth most likely to say that they didn’t exercise over the past month (30.5 percent) and had the seventh-lowest life expectancy across the country (75.03).
As per the CDC, most American adults don’t fit healthy, With six out of 10 Americans having some form of chronic condition. 4/10 of adults suffer from at least two chronic illnesses.
Certain areas of the country are even more populated due to people’s unhealthy lifestyles and alcohol abuse.
Forbes Advisor gathered data for 21 measures taken from the Kaiser Family Foundation and Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to determine the healthiest and least States. We specifically looked at measures that fall into three main areas: prevalence of disease and mortality rate, drug misuse, and lifestyle and health outlook.
Top 5 Least Healthy States
- West Virginia
Score of West Virginia is: 100 points out of 100
West Virginia tops our list as the state with the lowest health. It is home to the highest percentage of deaths and illnesses caused by chronic illnesses.
West Virginians have the 2nd lowest life expectancy in the nation (73.9), and West Virginia is among the worst states nationally for many health-related indicators, such as:
- The incidence of cancer (709.10 diagnosed per 100,000 residents of the state).
- The percentage of adults diagnosed with diabetes (13.2 percent).
- The mortality rate for cancer (261.94 mortalities per 100,000 state residents).
- The mortality rate for diabetes (55.23 deaths per 100,000 state residents).
- The mortality rate for heart disease (284.49 deaths per 100,000 residents of the state).
- The mortality rate for kidney diseases is (27.46 deaths per 100 residents in the state).
- The chronic lower respiratory disorder (CLRD) death percentage (93.55 CLRD deaths per 100,000 residents of the state between 2018 and 2020). CLRD comprises COPD, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, asthma, and more.
West Virginia also ranked second in the nation for healthful lifestyle and overall health outlook.
Another alarming statistic is that West Virginia has the highest rate of overdose deaths in the United States (57.13 per 100,000 residents). The state has the highest proportion of smokers (22.80 percent) and the second-highest proportion of overweight adults (39.8 percent), just a little behind Mississippi.
- Mississippi
Mississippi’s score is 96.55 out of 100
Mississippi is ranked second overall in unhealthy states. Mississippi is ranked second for the rate of death and illness due to chronic diseases. Mississippi is also ranked first among the states with the most unhealthy lifestyle practices.
Mississippi has the highest proportion of obese adults nationwide (39.87 percent). It has the second-lowest life span for newborns (73.63) and the most significant percentage of people who exercised during the last month (32.87 percent). Compare Mississippi’s percentage of exercise to Utah and Colorado, in which only 17% of adult respondents claim they did not exercise over the last month.
The Magnolia State also came in the bottom in a variety of disease-related metrics such as:
- Rate of mortality from hypertension (18.99 deaths per 100,000 inhabitants).
- The mortality rate for pneumonia and influenza is (29.41 mortalities per 100,000 inhabitants).
- The mortality rate for Alzheimer’s disease (59.06 mortality rate per 100,000 inhabitants).
Mississippi is also ranked second in the following areas:
- The percentage of adults diagnosed with diabetes (13.03 percent).
- Rate of mortality from diabetes (41.73 deaths per 100 inhabitants).
- The kidney mortality rate for kidney disease (26.61 mortalities per 100,000 inhabitants).
- The number of opioid-related deaths reported last year (5.2 percent).
- Kentucky
Kentucky’s scores: 86.96 out of 100
Bluegrass State is ranked as the third-worst state for health and the third state among states with the most unhealthy lifestyles.
Kentucky’s sobering statistics include:
- Second in line for the most smokers (21.53 percent).
- Fourth-highest likelihood to mention overweight (37.8 percent).).
- The second-highest proportion of adults who didn’t exercise last month (31.3 percent) and the fourth-lowest life age when you were born (74.77).
- Sixth most high rate of drug death from overdose (35.32 per 100,000 residents of the state).
Kentucky is also the fifth worst in the overall category of mortality and disease rates. The state also has the third-highest mortality rate for cancer (223.91 deaths per 100,000 residents) and chronic respiratory diseases (75.21 deaths per 100,000 residents).
Kentucky residents also had:
- The fourth highest rate of cancer-related incidence (643.13 diagnoses per 100,000 residents in the state).
- The sixth highest mortality rate due to diabetes (34.49 mortalities per 100,000 state residents).
- Seventh highest mortality rate for kidney disease prevalence rate (21.53 deaths per 100 state residents).
- Alabama
Alabama’s Score: 85.69 out of 100
Alabama was ranked fourth in the overall rankings and fourth in two areas which include mortality and disease incidence rate, in addition to the health outlook and lifestyle choices.
One of the issues that is a problem in Alabama is that its residents don’t exercise enough: 38.33 percent of Alabama adults say they are overweight, and 30.6 percent don’t exercise in 30 days, which is the third-highest rate across the nation. Alabama has the third-lowest life expectancy of any state (74.5). The only exceptions are Mississippi and West Virginia, which have lower life expectations.
Averagely, 63.63 Alabamans die of strokes per 100,000 residents and 55.35 residents die from Alzheimer’s disease per 100,000 (the second highest number in the entire country).
Alabama can also be described as:
- The third highest proportion of people with diabetes is diagnosed in adults (12.83 percent)
- The fifth highest heart disease deaths nationwide (275.54 per 100,000 state residents).
- The most likely nation to report a problem with opioids (5.3%).).
- Arkansas
Arkansas” scoring: 85.35 out of 100
Arkansas ranked No. 5 among the healthiest states. The state ranks third in the world for both mortality and disease
Top 5 Healthiest States
Hawaii
Score of Hawaii: 0.1% of the 100
Hawaii is at the top of the list of states that have the highest health standards, due in part to its residents enjoying the longest life span (80.87 years) the second-lowest proportion of overweight adults (24.83 percent), and the sixth-lowest percent of smokers (11.33 percentage).
Hawaii residents can enjoy:
- Lowest chronic lower respiratory illness death rate within the United States (26.24 deaths per 100,000 residents).
- Third-lowest mortality rate for chronic liver disease (9.09 mortalities per 100,000 state residents).
- The sixth lowest mortality rate for diabetes (22.34 deaths per 100,000 state residents).
Hawaii also did well with a low proportion of substance use. The Aloha State was ranked seventh-lowest rating in the category of substance abuse. Hawaii also had the lowest percentage of alcohol-related fatalities (7.4 mortalities per 100,000 residents) and Hawaii adults were seventh in the least likely to have reported dependence on illicit substances (5.9 percent).).
Utah
A score of Utah: 0.60 out of 100
Utah is the second-healthiest state in the country. Utah residents have the lowest rate of chronic illness and death.
Utah is among the top in the country when it comes to several health-related indicators, such as:
- Rate of cancer incidence (356.61 diagnoses per 100,000 residents of the state) and the mortality rate for cancer (99.99 mortality per 100,000 residents of the state).
- The mortality rate for hypertension is (5.57 deaths per 100,000 residents of the state).
- Rate of death from stroke (27.44 deaths per 100,000 residents of the state).
- The mortality rate of chronic liver disease is (8.54 deaths per 100,000 residents of the state).
The state is also ranked second lowest in death from heart diseases (118.65 mortality per 100,000 residents) and chronic respiratory disease death rates (26.48 mortalities per 100,000 residents).
Utah was tied with Hawaii in having the seventh-lowest percentage of abuse by a substance in general, however, it is ranked 12th for reporting on opioid abuse (4.1 percent)
Yet, Utah ranked fifth among the states with the most healthy living practices. The state’s population is only 4.2 percent of Utah adults who meet the requirements for excessive drinking, which is the lowest percentage. “Heavy drinking” means adult males who have at least 14 alcoholic drinks in a week, and adult females who have more than 7 drinks in a week, as per the CDC.
Utah is the state with the lowest proportion of smokers in the nation (7.77%)) In addition, Utah adults are also the least likely to say they didn’t exercise within the past month (17.23 percent).
Minnesota
Score of Minnesota: 1.11 Out of 100
Minnesota is the third most healthy state and ranks ninth in two categories of chronic mortality and disease prevalence as well as in the prevalence of substance abuse.
Minnesota has the lowest heart mortality rate (148.18 deaths per 100,000 residents of the state) and the fifth-lowest rate of pneumonia and influenza mortality (10.49 mortalities per 100,000 residents of the state).
Some other Minnesota points of interest include
- Eighth-lowest death rates from kidney diseases (9.65 deaths per 100,000 residents of the state) and the seventh-lowest percentage of people diagnosed with diabetes (7.83 7.83 %).
- Fifth most likely to be least likely to report an opioid use disorder (2.5%).).
- The 10th-lowest death rate from overdose (14.47 mortalities per 100,000 residents of the state) and the percentage of adults who report using illicit drugs (6 percent).
Minnesotans have the 3rd longest life expectancy of all (80) and Minnesota adults are the fifth most likely to say they were not exercising during the last month (19.73 percent)
California
Score of California: 3.02 from 100
California is ranked as the fourth most healthy state and third in terms of the healthiest lifestyle and outlook on health. California residents have the second-longest life duration (80.23), and the Golden State is home to the second-lowest percentage of smokers (9.23 9 %).
California had the fifth-lowest levels of metrics related to disease:
- The incidence of cancer (464.32 diagnosed per 100,000 residents of the state).
- The mortality rate for cancer (152.28 mortalities per 100,000 residents in the state).
- Mortality from chronic lower respiratory disease prevalence (33.67 deaths per 100,000 residents of the state).
California also has the seventh-lowest rate of heart-related death (162.67 mortalities per 100,000 residents).
- Massachusetts
Massachusetts Score: 4.52 out of 100
The Bay State is No. 5 overall among the states that are healthiest and sixth among states with the most healthy lifestyle and outlook on health.
Massachusetts residents enjoy the fourth-longest lifespan (79.83 years), second only to Hawaii, California, and Minnesota. The only difference is that 25.67 percent of Massachusetts adults are overweight, which is higher than the average of every state except Colorado or Hawaii.
Massachusetts is also the home of the fifth-lowest proportion of adults currently smoking (11.27 percent) and is ranked seventh among those states with the lowest incidence or mortality.
The state also did well due to:
- The lowest third number of deaths from diabetes (20.67 deaths for every 100,000 residents in the state) and the fourth-lowest number of stroke-related fatalities (34.35 deaths per 100,000 residents of the state).
- The fifth-lowest Alzheimer’s mortality rate (24.99 deaths per 100,000 residents of the state) and the sixth-lowest proportion of adults diagnosed with diabetes (7.7 percent).