Pursuing health and wellness remains a significant focus across the United States. This article provides a comprehensive, data-backed perspective using information from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Each state has been evaluated and ranked based on various influential factors integral to overall health and well-being.
Metrics such as air quality, obesity rates, levels of physical activity, prevalent health conditions (including cholesterol, cancer, and coronary heart disease), sleep habits, smoking and drinking behaviors, dietary patterns, and the proportion of adults with no tooth loss, were all taken into consideration.
Dental health is often overlooked as a key indicator of overall health, but the connection between the two is well-established. For example, people with gum disease are more likely to develop heart disease, stroke, and diabetes.
From this rigorous analysis, Colorado emerged as the pinnacle of health in the U.S., boasting an impressive score of 80 out of 100. West Virginia and Kentucky found themselves with lower scores at the other end of the spectrum, obtaining 40 and 41.4, respectively.
The Relationship Between Oral Health and Wellbeing
Your oral health is not just about having a nice smile. It's also about your overall health and well-being. A growing body of evidence shows that poor oral health is linked to several chronic diseases, including heart disease, stroke, diabetes, and respiratory infections.
Oral health is more important than many people realize. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that about half of all adults in the United States have gum disease. This isn't just a problem for our mouths - it also hurts our wallets. Poor oral health costs us around $117 billion yearly because of healthcare costs and people missing work.
On top of that, studies have found links between oral health and other health issues. One study in the JAMA Internal Medicine journal found that people with gum disease are likelier to have heart disease, even if they don't smoke or are overweight. Another study in the Nature Journal found that harmful bacteria from our mouths can travel to our brains. This can cause inflammation, which increases the risk of having a stroke. All this shows that caring for our mouths is a key part of maintaining our overall health.
Oral health, a vital aspect of overall wellness, is influenced by many factors. In specific regions of the United States, a high density of dental professionals helps make affordable dental care more accessible. Additionally, the provision of fluoridated water, a significant deterrent to tooth decay, varies between states. Medicaid dental care coverage also differs widely across states, with some offering limited or emergency coverage and others providing none. Moreover, personal dental habits play a critical role in oral health. In some states, fear leads to many people avoiding dental visits.
In contrast, in others, a greater emphasis is placed on the value of preventative dental care.
Data analysis helps us understand health standards in the U.S. and how states promote health. Dental health is vital for overall well-being and is influenced by factors like affordable care access, fluoridated water availability, and personal habits. Access to dental care varies based on the number of dentists in an area. Fluoridated water, vital for preventing tooth decay, is not consistently available.
Medicaid's dental coverage also differs by state. Personal dental habits have a significant impact, with some people avoiding check-ups due to fear while others recognize the importance of preventive care. Examining these factors helps us understand national health trends and each state's efforts in promoting health.
Connecticut, the District of Columbia, Massachusetts, Hawaii, and New Jersey are the healthiest in terms of dental health in the U.S. These states have low DMFT (Decayed, Missing, Filled Teeth) scores, indicating good dental health. Many adults in these states regularly visit the dentist, and there's a high density of dental professionals per capita. Fluoridated water in some of these states further enhances their dental health.
Does Oral Health Affect Overall Health?
Your mouth isn't just for eating and talking. It's also home to lots of different bacteria. While many of these bacteria are harmless, some can cause significant problems if they get into your bloodstream. These bacteria can cause inflammation and infection in other parts of your body, leading to serious illnesses like:
Heart Disease and Stroke
Did you know that gum disease could lead to heart problems? Research has shown that gum disease can cause arteries to harden. This restricts blood flow to the heart, which could lead to heart disease and stroke. People with gum disease are twice as likely to have heart disease.
Diabetes
Oral health and diabetes have a two-way relationship. Poor oral health can make it harder to control blood sugar levels, making diabetes worse. But the opposite is also true - uncontrolled diabetes can cause oral health problems like gum disease and tooth loss. With over 34 million people in the US having diabetes, this relationship is significant.
Respiratory Issues
Diseases like pneumonia are often linked to poor oral health. Harmful bacteria in the mouth can be breathed into the lungs, worsening existing lung infections. This link is especially strong in people with weak immune systems and those in healthcare facilities.
Alzeimer's Disease and Cognitive Decline
Some recent studies suggest that there might be a link between gum disease and problems with memory and thinking. Long-term gum disease may cause inflammation in the brain, which could lead to damage and Alzheimer's disease. With nearly 6 million people affected by Alzheimer's in the US, this is a significant area of research.
Pregnancy Complications
If you're pregnant, taking care of your mouth is essential. Pregnant women with gum disease may have a higher risk of giving birth early or having a baby with a low birth weight. Gum disease can cause more inflammation in the body, which could start labor too early.
But don't worry; you can do many things to keep your mouth healthy:
- Brush and floss your teeth twice daily to eliminate plaque and bacteria.
- Regular dentist visits can help spot any problems early and give your teeth a good clean.
- Avoid foods and drinks with lots of sugar. They can feed the bacteria in your mouth, causing plaque and gum disease.
- If you smoke, try to quit. Smoking can harm your gums and make it harder to fight off infections.
Taking care of your mouth is a big part of taking care of your whole body. Doing these simple things can help keep your mouth and yourself healthy. So remember - the more beneficial your mouth, the healthier you are!
Healthiest States Index of The USA 2023
The Ten Most Healthiest States in the USA
Colorado: High Altitude, Low Disease Prevalence
Taking the top spot is Colorado, boasting an impressive score of 80 out of 100 among all the states. Colorado shines with a low PM2.5 Annual Average Concentration of 7.37 and a reasonable obesity rate of 25.1%. Despite these high points, Colorado does struggle with a higher percentage of sleep-deprived adults (28.83%) and more prevalent binge drinking (18.56%) than Hawaii. However, with only 19.23% of adults refraining from leisure-time physical activities, Colorado ensures a healthy and active population, keeping obesity levels in check. Unfortunately, high cholesterol is a concern, affecting 28.6% of adults.
Disease-Related Metrics:
- Life expectancy: 80.5 years
- Prevalence of chronic diseases: Medium
- Cancer incidence rate: 637.40 per 100,000 residents
- Diabetes rate: 11.2% of adults diagnosed
- Cancer mortality rate: 232.73 deaths per 100,000 residents
- Heart disease mortality rate: 258.34 deaths per 100,000 residents
- Rate of drug overdose deaths: 38.63 per 100,000 residents
- Smoking rate: 15.60% of adults
- Obesity rate: 34.1% of adults
Hawaii: Lowest Obesity and Diabetes Rates in the U.S.
Close on Colorado's heels, Hawaii claims second place with a score of 79.7. With an impressively low PM2.5 Annual Average Concentration of 4.39, Hawaii also manages to keep its obesity rate at a competitive 25%. Despite these accomplishments, Hawaii struggles slightly with adults getting insufficient sleep and a higher rate of binge drinking than Colorado.
Disease-Related Metrics:
- Life expectancy: 81.1 years
- Prevalence of chronic diseases: Low
- Cancer incidence rate: 577.30 per 100,000 residents
- Diabetes rate: 9.3% of adults diagnosed
- Cancer mortality rate: 215.21 deaths per 100,000 residents
- Heart disease mortality rate: 245.07 deaths per 100,000 residents
- Rate of drug overdose deaths: 29.63 per 100,000 residents
- Smoking rate: 13.50% of adults
- Obesity rate: 28.6% of adults
Vermont: Low Drug Overdose and Chronic Disease Deaths
Vermont secures the third rank with a commendable score of 79.1. It grapples with a higher obesity prevalence of 29% and a PM2.5 Annual Average Concentration of 6.57. Nevertheless, Vermont stays active, with a small proportion of adults avoiding leisure-time physical activities (19.8%) and managing a lower rate of binge-drinking adults (19.64%).
Disease-Related Metrics:
- Life expectancy: 80.8 years
- Prevalence of chronic diseases: Low
- Cancer incidence rate: 568.70 per 100,000 residents
- Diabetes rate: 9.1% of adults diagnosed
- Cancer mortality rate: 213.01 deaths per 100,000 residents
- Rate of drug overdose deaths: 32.93 per 100,000 residents
- Smoking rate: 13.30% of adults
- Obesity rate: 28.2% of adults
New Hampshire: High Life Expectancy and Low Diabetes Prevalence
Placing fourth, New Hampshire has a noteworthy score of 75.8. While it does struggle with a higher obesity prevalence of 30.6% and a PM2.5 concentration of 5.09, the state takes pride in maintaining a lower percentage of adults with high cholesterol (27.7%), despite having a slightly higher rate of inactive adults and smokers.
Disease-Related Metrics:
- Life expectancy: 80.7 years
- Prevalence of chronic diseases: Low
- Cancer incidence rate: 560.30 per 100,000 residents
- Diabetes rate: 8.9% of adults diagnosed
- Cancer mortality rate: 210.81 deaths per 100,000 residents
- Heart disease mortality rate: 241.15 deaths per 100,000 residents
Utah: Leading in Life Expectancy, Trailing in Chronic Diseases
Despite a slightly higher obesity rate of 30.9% and a PM2.5 concentration of 7.67, Utah triumphs in the fifth position with a score of 75.7. Utah distinguishes itself with the lowest rates of binge drinking (11.13%) and adult smokers (11.42%) among the top five states.
Disease-Related Metrics:
- Life expectancy: 80.6 years
- Prevalence of chronic diseases: Low
- Cancer incidence rate: 552.00 per 100,000 residents
- Diabetes rate: 8.7% of adults diagnosed
- Cancer mortality rate: 208.61 deaths per 100,000 residents
- Heart disease mortality rate: 238.74 deaths per 100,000 residents
- Rate of drug overdose deaths: 31.23 per 100,000 residents
- Smoking rate: 12.90% of adults
- Obesity rate: 27.8% of adults
Massachusetts: Low Heart Disease Mortality and High Life Expectancy
Massachusetts gracefully claims the sixth rank with a final score of 74.7. Although grappling with a relatively high percentage of adults with high cholesterol, the state has a lower obesity rate, putting it ahead of many other states.
Disease-Related Metrics:
- Life expectancy: 80.5 years
- Prevalence of chronic diseases: Low
- Cancer incidence rate: 543.70 per 100,000 residents
- Diabetes rate: 8.5% of adults diagnosed
- Cancer mortality rate: 206.41 deaths per 100,000 residents
- Heart disease mortality rate: 236.33 deaths per 100,000 residents
- Rate of drug overdose deaths: 30.53 per 100,000 residents
- Smoking rate: 12.60% of adults
- Obesity rate: 27.5% of adults
Connecticut: Remarkably Low Cancer and Diabetes Rates
In seventh place, Connecticut secures a final score of 73.9. Despite a slightly higher PM2.5 Annual Average Concentration, the state holds a lower obesity rate and fewer adults opting out of physical leisure-time activity.
Disease-Related Metrics:
- Life expectancy: 80.4 years
- Prevalence of chronic diseases: Low
- Cancer incidence rate: 535.40 per 100,000 residents
- Diabetes rate: 8.3% of adults diagnosed
- Cancer mortality rate: 204.21 deaths per 100,000 residents
- Heart disease mortality rate: 233.92 deaths per 100,000 residents
- Rate of drug overdose deaths: 29.83 per 100,000 residents
- Smoking rate: 12.30% of adults
- Obesity rate: 27.2% of adults
Minnesota: Low Obesity, Low Drug Overdose Deaths
Securing the eighth rank with a final score of 72.8, Minnesota overcomes a higher obesity rate and a considerable percentage of adult smokers. The state's saving grace is its low rate of adults with high cholesterol among the top ten.
Disease-Related Metrics:
- Life expectancy: 80.3 years
- Prevalence of chronic diseases: Low
- Cancer incidence rate: 527.10 per 100,000 residents
- Diabetes rate: 8.1% of adults diagnosed
- Cancer mortality rate: 202.01 deaths per 100,000 residents
- Heart disease mortality rate: 231.51 deaths per 100,000 residents
- Rate of drug overdose deaths: 2
Washington: Minimal Smoking, Low Cancer Mortality
With a final score of 72.7, Ninth-placed Washington fights against a higher PM2.5 Annual Average Concentration, maintaining a relatively low obesity rate and fewer adults avoiding physical leisure-time activity.
Disease-Related Metrics:
- Life expectancy: 80.2 years
- Prevalence of chronic diseases: Low
- Cancer incidence rate: 518.80 per 100,000 residents
- Diabetes rate: 7.9% of adults diagnosed
- Cancer mortality rate: 199.81 deaths per 100,000 residents
- Heart disease mortality rate: 229.10 deaths per 100,000 residents
- Rate of drug overdose deaths: 29.13 per 100,000 residents
- Smoking rate: 12.00% of adults
- Obesity rate: 26.9% of adults
California: Low Smoking Rate, High Life Expectancy
California, fondly known as the Golden State, despite having the highest PM2.5 Annual Average Concentration among the top ten, proudly clinches the tenth rank. Thanks to its lower obesity rate and fewer adults with high cholesterol, California still shines through in the top ten list.
Disease-Related Metrics:
- Life expectancy: 80.1 years
- Prevalence of chronic diseases: Low
- Cancer incidence rate: 510.50 per 100,000 residents
- Diabetes rate: 7.7% of adults diagnosed
- Cancer mortality rate: 197.61 deaths per 100,000 residents
- Heart disease mortality rate: 226.69 deaths per 100,000 residents
- Rate of drug overdose deaths: 28.43 per 100,000 residents
- Smoking rate: 11.70% of adults
- Obesity rate: 26.6% of adults
The Ten Least Healthiest States in the USA
West Virginia
Highest Prevalence of Illness and Death from Chronic Diseases
West Virginia, unfortunately, takes the crown for the least healthy state, languishing with a health score of just 40 out of 100. Its dismal air quality records an average PM2.5 concentration of 8 between 2017 and 2021. Obesity is a significant issue here, peaking at 40.6%. At the same time, a considerable fraction of the population succumbs to physical inactivity and poor sleep hygiene. The state also struggles with prevalent smoking, binge drinking, and poor dietary practices. High cholesterol, cancer, depression, and coronary heart disease are common. Additionally, tooth loss is prevalent among adults.
Disease-Related Metrics:
- Second lowest life expectancy nationwide: 73.9 years
- Highest prevalence of illness and death from chronic diseases
- Cancer incidence rate: 709.10 per 100,000 residents
- Diabetes rate: 13.2% of adults diagnosed
- Cancer mortality rate: 261.94 deaths per 100,000 residents
- Heart disease mortality rate: 284.49 deaths per 100,000 residents
- Highest rate of drug overdose deaths: 57.13 per 100,000 residents
- Highest smoking rate: 22.80% of adults
- Second highest obesity rate: 39.8% of adults
Kentucky
High Rates of Smoking, Obesity, and Chronic Disease Mortality
The second least healthy state, Kentucky, manages a slightly higher score of 41.4. Although air quality here fares better than in West Virginia, Kentucky has greater obesity, physical inactivity, and poor sleep. Plus, the state sees an alarming number of adults indulging in smoking, binge drinking, and unhealthy diets.
Disease-Related Metrics:
- Second highest smoking rate: 21.53% of adults
- Fourth highest obesity rate: 37.8% of adults
- Second highest rate of adults who did not exercise in the past month: 31.3%
- Fourth lowest life expectancy: 74.77 years
- Sixth highest drug overdose rate: 35.32 per 100,000 residents
- Cancer mortality rate: 223.91 deaths per 100,000 residents
- Cancer incidence rate: 643.13 diagnoses per 100,000 residents
Louisiana
Highest Obesity and Diabetes Rates in the U.S
Scoring a meager 41.8, Louisiana ranks third. Despite lower obesity and physical inactivity rates than in Kentucky, the state mirrors the average PM2.5 concentration. Louisiana also struggles with many adults exhibiting poor sleep hygiene, smoking, binge drinking, unhealthy diets, and suffering from severe health conditions.
Disease-Related Metrics:
- Second lowest life expectancy nationwide: 73.9 years
- Highest prevalence of illness and death from chronic diseases
- Cancer incidence rate: 709.10 per 100,000 residents
- Diabetes rate: 13.2% of adults diagnosed
- Cancer mortality rate: 261.94 deaths per 100,000 residents
- Heart disease mortality rate: 284.49 deaths per 100,000 residents
- Highest rate of drug overdose deaths: 57.13 per 100,000 residents
- Highest smoking rate: 22.80% of adults
- Second highest obesity rate: 39.8% of adults
Alabama
High Obesity, Low Exercise, and Alarming Rates of Stroke and Alzheimer's Disease
Next in line is Alabama, with a score of 45. Like its predecessors, Alabama battles high obesity rates, physical inactivity, poor sleep hygiene, smoking, binge drinking, and unhealthy dietary habits. The state also sees an alarming prevalence of health conditions.
Disease-Related Metrics:
- Obesity rate: 38.33% of adults
- Third highest rate of adults who did not exercise in the past month: 30.6%
- Third lowest life expectancy: 74.5 years
- Stroke mortality rate: 63.63 deaths per 100,000 residents
- Alzheimer's disease mortality rate: 55.35 deaths per 100,000 residents
- Diabetes rate: 12.83% of adults diagnosed
- Heart disease mortality rate: 275.54 deaths per 100,000 residents
- Opioid misuse: 5.3% reported
Mississippi
Lowest Life Expectancy and Highest Rates of Obesity and Inactivity
Despite boasting the highest PM2.5 concentration among the bottom five, Mississippi, with a score of 46.4, displays improved rates of physical inactivity, sleep hygiene, and smoking. However, the state continues to struggle with high obesity rates and unhealthy diets.
Disease-Related Metrics:
- Life expectancy: 73.63 years
- Obesity rate: 39.87% of adults
- Highest rate of adults who did not exercise in the past month: 32.87%
- Hypertension mortality rate: 18.99 deaths per 100,000 residents
- Influenza and pneumonia mortality rate: 29.41 deaths per 100,000 residents
- Alzheimer's disease mortality rate: 59.06 deaths per 100,000 residents
- Diabetes rate: 13.03% of adults diagnosed
- Opioid misuse in the past year: 5.2% reported
Arkansas
High Mortality Rates from Heart Disease and Chronic Lower Respiratory Disease, and High Rates of Smoking and Obesity
Arkansas, hovering at a score of 46.6, shares health issues with Mississippi but fares slightly better regarding adult tooth retention.
Disease-Related Metrics:
- Heart disease mortality rate: 280.48 deaths per 100,000 residents
- Chronic lower respiratory disease mortality rate: 78.92 deaths per 100,000 residents
- Diabetes mortality rate: 40.14 deaths per 100,000 residents
- Alzheimer's disease mortality rate: 52.28 deaths per 100,000 residents
- Third highest smoking rate: 20.6% of adults
- Obesity rate: 37.5% of adults
- Fourth highest rate of adults who did not exercise in the past month: 30.5%
- Life expectancy: 75.03 years
Oklahoma
Highest Prevalence of Heart Disease in the U.S.
Oklahoma's high obesity rates, inadequate physical activity, poor sleep habits, smoking, and unhealthy diets contribute heavily to their grim health scores. The prevalence of severe health conditions also adds to their plight.
Disease-Related Metrics:
- Life expectancy: 74.2 years
- High prevalence of illness and death from chronic diseases
- Cancer incidence rate: 692.50 per 100,000 residents
- Diabetes rate: 12.8% of adults diagnosed
- Cancer mortality rate: 255.76 deaths per 100,000 residents
- Heart disease mortality rate: 279.23 deaths per 100,000 residents
- High rate of drug overdose deaths: 53.35 per 100,000 residents
- High smoking rate: 22.20% of adults
- Third highest obesity rate: 39.2% of adults
Some Important and Large States That Failed to Make the Spot on the Top Ten List
Texas
Texas, the second-largest state by population, disappointingly misses the top ten. It battles numerous health challenges, including high obesity rates, poor physical activity levels, and prevalent smoking and binge drinking.
Florida
Florida, another populous state, also fails to reach the top ten. The state grapples with significant health challenges, such as high obesity rates, poor physical activity levels, and a high prevalence of chronic diseases.
New York
Despite its diverse population and access to quality healthcare, New York fails to cut. The state confronts higher obesity rates, poor physical activity, and prevalent smoking and chronic diseases.
Illinois
Illinois, housing large urban centers like Chicago, faces similar health challenges as the other states, including high obesity rates, low physical activity levels, and a high prevalence of chronic diseases.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania, another populous state, also falls short of the top ten. Its residents grapple with higher obesity rates, lower physical activity levels, and higher rates of smoking and chronic diseases.
Remember, these rankings are based on averages and may not accurately reflect the health status of every individual in each state. They provide a broad overview of health behaviors and outcomes across these states.
Methodology
We embarked on a detailed review of each of the 50 states in the U.S., examining them under the lens of 12 unique measures. Every measure was given a score out of 100, and these individual scores were then combined to create a final composite score out of 100.
The data feeding into these necessary measures was collected from a highly reliable source - the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
These measures covered a wide range of aspects. To begin with, we looked at the Annual Average PM2.5 Concentration, a key indicator of Air Quality. Next, we considered the Obesity percentage and the percentage of Adults who do not engage in any Physical Activity during their free time.
Sleeping habits were another crucial measure, focusing on the percentage of Adults who Sleep Less Than 7 Hours a night. We also considered current health behaviors, such as Smoking Rates among Adults and the proportion of Adults who indulge in Binge Drinking.
Dietary habits were noticed, with measures taking into account Adults who consume Vegetables and Fruits Less Than Once Daily. Health conditions formed another crucial part of our assessment, looking at Adults with High Blood Cholesterol, Adults who have been diagnosed with Cancer, and Adults who suffer from depression.
Oral health was represented by the percentage of Adults who haven't lost teeth. Lastly, the prevalence of Coronary Heart Disease among Adults was also a key indicator. Together, these diverse measures helped us to construct a comprehensive health profile for each state.
Methodology: Further Details
- The actual scores are padded to 40-80 to get more realistic looking scores.
- Weights for each feature are as below and are taken to be a bit more subjective:
