DETROIT -- According to the 23rd edition of America's Health Rankings, Michigan ranks 37th when compared with the health of other states. That is a four-spot drop from 2011 when Michigan was ranked 33rd.
Michigan's health strengths:
- Low prevalence of sedentary lifestyle
- Low rate of uninsured population
- Low occupational fatality rate
Michigan's health challenges:
- High prevalence of obesity
- High prevalence of smoking
- Low immuniation coverage
"While we celebrate the improvements our state has made ina variety of areas, we still have a long way to go to reverse the direction of many health trends," United Healthcare of Michigan Richard Gajdowski, M.D. said.
Vermont was ranked as the healthiest state for the sixth year in a row while Mississippi and Louisiana were tied for last place.
Nationwide, nearly 28% of the population is obese and 26% get no exercise, resulting in increasing prevalence of high blood pressure.
