1. West Virginia
We start off this list of the unhealthiest US states with West Virginia, which has an overall score of 100 out of 100 on the ill scale. When researchers studied the area, they discovered that while the state is blessed with several landscapes and things to do in your free time, the majority of its citizens suffer from chronic diseases and illnesses.
Unfortunately, West Virginia deserves its first place in this list of the unhealthiest US states because it has the second lowest life expectancy nationwide (73.9), and the metrics for these health issues are incredibly concerning, as you can see here:
- 13.2% of adult citizens are diagnosed with diabetes;
- The heart disease mortality rate is incredibly high: 284.49 deaths per 100,000 state residents;
- The cancer mortality rate is also concerning, with 261.94 deaths per 100,000 state residents.
Other than that, during their research period, the professionals also discovered that West Virginia is the state with the highest rate of drug overdose deaths in the nation, meaning 57.13 per 100,000 state residents, the second highest percentage of obese adults (39.8%), and the highest percentage of adults who smoke (22.80%).
Ok this was a no brainer! You choose the poorest states in the country! It takes money to stay healthy and to have enough insurance to go to doctors when you need to or to go for preventative health care. These states also do not have the best medical care available in the rest of the country. Doctors don’t flock to these states because they can’t make a lot of money practicing there. So why rub it in????? Because that is what an article like this is doing. Some people are too poor to “relocate”.
Amen !!!!
looking for senior living in California
I lived in CA for 30+ years. It’s crazy expensive and the cost of living is out of control! I live on Social Security and found it very challenging to keep my head above water. Like so many others, I ditched California, a state I loved for so long, and moved to Texas. I love it here! Better health care, more affordable everything, seasonal changes and truly the most hospitable people i ever met. We’ve been here almost 3 years. Was able to buy a little house with a little yard and most importantly, pay my bills. My mortgage is less than what I could get a small 1 bedroom apartment for in San Diego. Just saying…
Mississippi has no health or hospitals or doctors for the elderly
I am from Minnesota as my siblings live there as well!
I am now living in the Philippines and would like to know more about Minnesota. I presently own land there!
I would like to know more about Utah.