Jan 16, 2026 - News
Mapped: Healthiest states
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Colorado ranks 12th nationwide for overall health and well-being, according to the United Health Foundation's state-by-state report card released last week.
Zoom in: We score well on:
- 🏃♀️Low obesity
- 💵 Strong economic status
- 🏥 Few preventable hospitalizations
Yes, but: Some stubborn red flags persist:
- 🍺 High excessive drinking
- 👶 A troubling share of low birth weight infants
- 🧬 Elevated levels of high-risk HIV behaviors
😔 Another worrisome sign: Depression among Colorado adults rose from 17% in 2019 to 23% in 2024.
The big picture: Nationally, the report finds an array of encouraging signs for America: Rates for premature death, drug deaths, firearm deaths and homicides all decreased. Rates of cancer screenings, physical activity and volunteerism all increased.
- But rates of e-cigarette use and multiple chronic conditions rose. So did homelessness and unemployment — socioeconomic factors that help determine the nation's overall health.