Map: America's healthiest states have these things in common

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FILE - A group of seniors engage in physical fitness (Getty Images)

The healthiest states in America share a few common factors: They’ve got fewer people experiencing economic hardship, fewer drug users, fewer nicotine users and more people who finished high school, according to a new report. 

The United Health Foundation, the nonprofit wing of healthcare giant UnitedHealth, released its annual healthiest state rankings this week. 

The report shows America’s least healthy states also have a few things in common: High premature death rates, more people experiencing economic hardship, high homicide rates and more people with chronic conditions. 

Here’s what else the research found: 

How states are ranked

How It Works:

Researchers examined nearly 100 factors from over 30 sources to come up with rankings. Those measures include premature death, excessive drinking, suicide, chronic conditions, drug deaths, exercise, smoking, firearm deaths, unemployment, volunteerism, and air pollution, among others. 

What they're saying:

"This year’s findings reveal encouraging signs of progress," the report states. "National mortality rates improved, with reductions in premature death and drug death rates. Cancer screenings, physical inactivity and volunteerism also improved. 

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"Yet these gains were tempered by continued increases in multiple chronic conditions among adults, as well as growing socioeconomic challenges like homelessness, which underscore persistent challenges related to community well-being."

By the numbers:

Nationwide, premature deaths decreased 8% between 2022 and 2023, while drug deaths dropped 3% during the same period. 

Physical inactivity reached its healthiest level since 1996, the report found, with 21.8% of adults reporting no physical activity outside of work between 2023 and 2024. That’s down 10%. 

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Cancer screenings also increased 15% between 2022 and 2024, but it wasn’t all good news. 

The rate of multiple chronic conditions increased 6% between 2023 and 2024. Obesity rates stayed the same. Cigarette smoking was down 4% between 2023 and 2024, but that’s offset by a 4% increase in e-cigarette use.

Between 2021 and 2022, volunteerism rose 22%. However, homelessness and the number of people who avoided health care due to cost increased 16% and 8%, respectively.

Where does your state rank? 

Five healthiest states

1. New Hampshire: Low prevalence of non-medical drug use, high prevalence of high school completion, low prevalence of adults using e-cigarettes
2. Massachusetts: Low premature death rate, low prevalence of obesity, low economic hardship index score
3. Vermont: Low prevalence of non-medical drug use, high prevalence of high school completion, low economic hardship index score
4. Connecticut: Low premature death rate, low prevalence of non-medical drug use, low prevalence of adults using e-cigarettes
5. Utah: Low prevalence of excessive drinking, low prevalence of multiple chronic conditions, low homicide rate

Five unhealthiest states

1. Louisiana: High economic hardship index score, high homicide rate, high incidence of chlamydia
2. Arkansas: High premature death rate, high prevalence of multiple chronic conditions, high prevalence of adults using e-cigarettes
3. Mississippi: High economic hardship index score, high prevalence of physical inactivity, low prevalence of high school completion
4. Alabama: High premature death rate, high prevalence of multiple chronic conditions, high homicide rate
5. West Virginia: High prevalence of multiple chronic conditions, high prevalence of frequent mental distress, low voter participation