Annual Report Ranks Massachusetts Third in Overall Health

MINNETONKA, Minn. — Massachusetts scores high rankings for its low percentage of uninsured residents, low infant-mortality rates, and low prevalence of obesity, while facing challenges related to its violent-crime rate, disparity in health status by education level, and prevalence of excessive drinking, according to a new report by United Health Foundation.

Massachusetts ranks third in overall health, joining other Northeast states in the top 10, including Vermont (second), New Hampshire (fifth), and Connecticut (sixth).

Nationwide, Americans are smoking less and living less sedentary lives, but rising rates of drug deaths — including illegal and prescription drug abuse — diabetes, obesity, and children in poverty threaten the nation’s health.

“This year’s “America’s Health Rankings” annual report reveals many encouraging gains in our nation’s health while showing clearly there is much more we as a country must do to maximize our health potential,” said Dr. Reed Tuckson, external senior medical adviser to United Health Foundation. “This report is a call to action to make disease prevention a key component of our culture. We want to ensure everybody — no matter what state they call home — is empowered to make healthy decisions for themselves, their families, and their communities.”

To see the national and state rankings in detail, visit www.americashealthrankings.org.