An annual health report shows that Americans are making progress in improving their health, but overall, Tennessee shows no change from last year’s report.
The United Health Foundation’s 2013 America’s Health Rankings found that nationwide, notable gains were made in decreasing smoking, increasing physical activity and decreasing obesity rates.
But the report ranked Tennessee 42nd, the same spot as last year. The state does have low rates of binge drinking and high immunization rates among children, but has high rates of violent crime, low birth weight, high infant mortality, and a high prevalence of smokers.
Tennesseans are becoming more active, with physical inactivity decreasing from just over 35% to 28.6% of adults, but more than 31% of the state’s adults are obese, and nearly 12% of adults have been diagnosed with diabetes. (The state ranked 40th for adult obesity rates, 45th in physical activity, and 46th for adults diagnosed with diabetes.)
Blount, Loudon, and Knox Counties were among the top 20 of the state’s healthiest counties.
Hawaii was ranked the nation’s healthiest state, followed by Vermont, Minnesota, Massachusetts and New Hampshire. Alabama ranked 47th, Louisiana 48th, Arkansas 49th, and Mississippi 50th this year.
