Lisa O
Staying healthy is super important to enjoying life to the max and being able to do all the things you love. But sadly, lots of Americans face ongoing health issues that get in the way of living their best lives. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), about six out of ten adults in the U.S. have at least one chronic disease, and four out of ten have two or more. Some states have higher rates of these chronic illnesses, often because of unhealthy habits and substance abuse. Here’s a list of the most unhealthy states today!
West Virginia: Battling Drug Overdoses and Obesity
Right at the heart of America’s battle against opioid misuse, West Virginia takes the spotlight with the highest rate of drug overdose deaths per person. But that’s not all – the state also grapples with the highest percentages of adult smokers (21%) and individuals dealing with obesity (41%). These health struggles contribute to West Virginia having one of the lowest life expectancies in the nation, at just 73.9 years.
Mississippi: Leading in Cancer Deaths
Mississippi is facing some tough health battles. It’s got the highest rate of cancer deaths in the U.S., along with a concerning number of people dealing with high blood pressure and diabetes. Nearly 44% of adults in the state have high blood pressure, and about 14% have diabetes. As a result, Mississippi has the shortest life expectancy in the country, with folks living an average of just 73.63 years.
Tennessee: Juggling Obesity, Smoking, and an Opioid Epidemic
Obesity and smoking rates are super high in Tennessee, and many folks battle chronic health issues. Lifestyle choices play a significant role in the state’s overall health picture. But here’s where it gets serious: Tennessee is in the midst of a major opioid epidemic, with the highest misuse rates in the country. Shockingly, experts say that every single day, at least three people lose their lives to opioid overdoses in Tennessee.
Arkansas: Struggling with Chronic Issues and Shorter Lifespans
Let’s talk about Arkansas, where people often feel really stressed out, have lots of health problems like chronic diseases, and many struggle with being overweight. Shockingly, Arkansas also has one of the shortest lifespans in the country, with residents typically living up to around 73.8 years. It’s super important for people in Arkansas to focus on their health so they can live longer and happier lives.
Kentucky: Facing High Chronic Disease Rates
This state grapples with some tough stuff, like high rates of chronic health issues and a significant number of COVID-19 cases during the pandemic. Sadly, life expectancy here isn’t as high as we’d like, hovering around 73.5 years. Another hurdle is the high rate of adult smokers. But fear not! Kentucky shines in other areas, boasting a strong high school graduation rate and fewer people overindulging in alcohol.
South Carolina: Serious Challenges with a Shorter Lifespan
While it might not be at the bottom of the list in any one area, South Carolina is still facing some super serious challenges overall. People here tend to have shorter lifespans, with the tenth lowest life expectancy of about 74.8 years. Plus, there’s a bit of a struggle with obesity and prediabetes, coming in eleventh for both. And let’s not forget about COVID-19 – South Carolina has the seventh highest rates of cases.
Alabama: Mental Stress and Chronic Conditions
Alabama needs to score better in the health department, ranking among the least healthy states in the U.S. More than 15% of folks there often feel mentally stressed out, while 14.3% are wrestling with multiple chronic conditions. Plus, the life expectancy is on the lower side at just 73.2 years. And that’s not all – it’s also facing the challenge of the second-highest infant mortality rate.
Oklahoma: Mixed Bag of Health Woes
Oklahoma, much like South Carolina, isn’t exactly knocking it out of the park in any single health area. Instead, it’s more of a mixed bag, with not-so-great stats across the board. Landing in the 7th spot among the least healthy states, Oklahoma’s got its fair share of folks grappling with obesity, prediabetes, and multiple chronic conditions. Plus their life expectancy isn’t exactly soaring, clocking in at the eighth lowest, just 74.1 years.
Louisiana: Mental Distress and Chronic Disorders
Diving into the numbers from 2021, Louisiana’s health story is one that grabs attention. With the second-highest rate of mental distress at 17.6%, a life expectancy ranking third-lowest at just 73.1 years, and a significant 12.3% dealing with multiple chronic disorders, it’s clear there are challenges.
And when it comes to staying active, Louisiana isn’t leading the pack either, with about 30.8% reporting they skip regular exercise, earning them the fifth spot in that category.
Indiana: Facing Familiar Health Battles
Even though there isn’t as much readily available data about Indiana, it seems to be facing some familiar health battles like other states on our radar. These likely include dealing with chronic diseases, lifestyle choices, and overall health concerns. But here’s a startling fact: approximately every 16 hours, Indiana loses a precious baby, tallying up to over 530 infant deaths annually.
Texas: Struggling with Infectious Diseases and Health Disparities
Texas is navigating a health rollercoaster these days. There’s been a surge in infectious diseases, a real climb in obesity and diabetes rates over the past decade – it’s like a health challenge showdown! Plus, the percentage of kids facing poverty has been on the rise. But here’s the kicker: there are some real gaps in health outcomes among different racial groups in Texas, shining a spotlight on issues that can’t be ignored.
Nevada: Rising Diabetes and Obesity
Nevada is tackling some serious health hurdles lately. Over the past few years, diabetes rates have gone up by 1.4%, and obesity has jumped by 5.2%. But that’s not all – there are other concerning trends too. The percentage of kids living in poverty has shot up, and the high school graduation rate has taken a dive. Just 56.3% of ninth graders are graduating within four years, compared to 72.3% a decade ago.
Missouri: Health Story with Ups and Downs
Missouri has its ups and downs in the health game. On the bright side, they kept COVID-19 cases relatively low during the pandemic, and the rate of people with prediabetes isn’t too high. But on the flip side, there are some super concerning stats. They rank 19th in adult obesity rates, 12th in frequent mental distress, and 12th in multiple chronic conditions among all the states. Plus, their life expectancy is also low at 75.1 years.
Ohio: Heart Disease and Diabetes Concerns
Ohio joins the ranks of unhealthy states in the U.S. The numbers tell quite a tale – about 196 Ohioans out of every 100,000 lose their lives to heart disease, and around 10.9% of adults in the state have diabetes. To add to the mix, Ohio faces high rates of obesity, hitting 28.41%, and smoking, with 37.8% of folks lighting up. It’s pretty clear that life in Ohio comes with its fair share of health challenges.
Georgia: High Rates of Heart Disease and Diabetes
Georgia isn’t exactly topping the charts when it comes to health, as per a recent report. About 185 Georgians out of every 100,000 lose their lives to heart disease, and approximately 11.3% of adults in the state have diabetes. But that’s not all – Georgia’s got its fair share of hurdles to overcome. There’s low immunization coverage among kids, high instances of low birth weight babies, and a shortage of mental health care providers.