The health of the average American may differ considerably based on their state of residence, according to the findings of a new report.
A study conducted by UnitedHealth Group found that residents of Louisiana and Mississippi were the unhealthiest in the nation.
Meanwhile, those living in Vermont, Hawaii and New Hampshire were found to be the healthiest, according to a variety of factors.
Smoking rates, obesity, health insurance coverage, air pollution, binge drinking and crime levels were among the issues investigated to determine the rankings.
Overall, the report suggests that access to health resources in the U.S. has not changed much compared with last years data.
“Weve just not made any improvement in the overall health of the nation,” Dr. Reed Tuckson of United Health told Reuters.
Louisiana displaced Mississippi for the last-place ranking this year based on its high obesity level, poverty statistics, uninsured population, prevalence of infectious diseases, preventable hospitalizations and low graduation rate from high school.
The report concluded that it will likely stay at the bottom of next years list as well.