Montana and Wyoming rank in the middle of the pack in a new evaluation of the health of the US.
Montana comes in 22nd and Wyoming 26th as the healthiest states in the country. Montana remained the same as last year while Wyoming reached its poorest ranking since 2001.
The report by the advocacy group United Health Foundation evaluated states on 35 factors in five categories that included behaviors, clinical care, and outcomes.
The America’s Health Rankings report gave high marks to Montana for the minimal rates of obesity and diabetes and low air pollution. The study says Montana didn’t do well because of poor immunization coverage for children, the low number of primary care physicians and excessive drinking.
Wyoming was dragged down by high work-related deaths, the high level of uninsured and a poor record of immunizations.
The state received high scores for its low number of cancer deaths, diabetes numbers and air pollution levels.
Overall, the report ranked Hawaii at number 1 on the healthy scale and Mississippi at 50th.
