New England State Named Healthiest in the US

So, I saw this list ranking the healthiest states in America, and naturally, my curiosity was piqued. First off, what data was used to decide which states are the healthiest?  Here’s what US News went with:

• Infant mortality rate
• Mortality rate
• Obesity rate
• Smoking rate
• Suicide rate
• Adults reporting poor mental health

Basically, the lower these numbers, the healthier the state. According to US News, Massachusetts isn’t just good—it’s #1 in the country for the best overall healthcare system. Yeah, they’re flexing those health stats like a gym rat at a protein shake convention.

US News states that Massachusetts infant mortality rate is 3.23 (per 1,000 births), mortality rate is 693 (per 100,000 people), smoking rate is at 10.5% and adults in poor mental health is a low 15.4%

The Bay State also has a lower obesity rate. Turns out, people in Massachusetts are more likely to hit the gym than hit the couch with a bag of chips. MassHealth also ensures healthcare is available for low-income residents, making it the top state in the nation for healthcare coverage.

In addition to top notch healthcare, good public health policies and just a general health consious culture all appear to help make up these impressive stats for Massachusetts.

Vermont, Rhode Island and Connecticut also all made the list, proving that the many New Englanders are generally pretty healthy people, whether it's how they choose to treat their bodies or when it comes to health care options.