(NEXSTAR) — A new study has identified the areas in America with the most unhealthy populations.
forbes advisor conducted an analysis and ranked each state based on several factors, including drug abuse rates, unhealthy lifestyle habits, and chronic diseases.
by Centers for Disease Control and PreventionA chronic disease is a health condition that lasts more than a year and requires ongoing treatment.
The CDC notes that these diseases, including heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, are the leading causes of death and disability in the United States.
2023 Report by commonwealth fundAn independent research group also found that the United States has the highest rate of people diagnosed with multiple chronic conditions compared to other wealthy countries.
West Virginia ranks number one as the unhealthiest state in America.Thoughts on the Mountain Province Ground zero of America’s opioid crisis, stands out for having the highest drug overdose death rate in the United States, according to a Forbes Advisor analysis. Recently, the use of fentanyl and the so-called “zombie drug” xylazine has fueled an epidemic in the state. NewsNation reported.
West Virginia also has the highest percentage of adults who smoke (21%), the highest percentage of adults who are obese (41%), and the second-lowest life expectancy in the nation (73.9 years).
Mississippi, which is considered the second-unhealthiest state, has the lowest life expectancy at 73.63 years, the study found. The Magnolia State faces rising rates of chronic disease, including the highest cancer mortality rate in the country (17.37 deaths per 100,000 residents).
The data also shows that Mississippi has a high prevalence of hypertension and diabetes, with 43.9% of adults in the state diagnosed with hypertension and 13.7% diagnosed with diabetes.
Other than West Virginia and Mississippi, six southern states are in the top 10 unhealthiest states.
- west virginia
- mississippi
- tennessee
- arkansas
- kentucky
- Alabama
- louisiana
- oklahoma
- Ohio
- Indiana
Hawaii, one of the most beautiful states in the usa, has the best health profile. A Forbes Advisor study found that residents of the Aloha State have the highest life expectancy in the nation (80.87 years) and a significantly lower prevalence of chronic diseases than other states.
Minnesota is the only state in the Midwest to be listed in the top 10 healthiest states. Her five states on the East Coast are also included in the list, while others are scattered across the West.
- Hawaii
- Utah
- connecticut
- minnesota
- Massachusetts
- colorado
- new jersey
- new hampshire
- Washington
- new york
For that analysis, You can see it in full hereForbes Advisor analyzed data from the CDC, the Kaiser Family Foundation, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration.
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