New report ranks North Carolina 22nd for the healthiest states in the U.S.
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
Open embedded content from datawrapper.dwcdn.netA new state-by-state health report card from the United Health Foundation finds an array of encouraging signs for America: Rates for premature death, drug deaths, firearm deaths and homicides all fell. Rates of cancer screenings, physical activity and volunteerism all increased.
Yes, but: Rates of e-cigarette use and multiple chronic conditions increased. Homelessness and unemployment — socioeconomic factors that help determine the nation's health — rose.
Why it matters: America's Health Rankings — from the United Health Foundation, established by UnitedHealth Group — synthesize 99 measures of health and well-being, drawn from 31 data sources, to produce a "comprehensive portrait of health at both the national and state levels."
How it works: The report determines how healthy a state is based on social and economic factors, physical environment, clinical care, behaviors and health outcomes.
Zoom in: North Carolina performs well on measures including low rates of excessive drinking, frequent physical distress and adult e-cigarette use, the report shows.
- The state struggles with a high premature death rate, low birth weight infants and low volunteerism.
Explore the data ... 2-page report cards for 50 states + D.C.