New report ranks North Carolina 22nd for the healthiest states in the U.S.
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A 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.