Texas among America's least healthy states
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Texas is one of the least healthy states, ranking 40th in a state-by-state health report card from the United Health Foundation.
Why it matters: Texas ranks last or near last in several access-to-care metrics, with more than 17% of adult Texans avoiding doctor visits due to cost.
- The state also ranks last in the country for the number of primary care providers per 100,000 people, per the annual report card.
The big picture: Nationwide, rates for premature deaths, drug deaths, firearm deaths and homicides all fell in the 2025 America's Health Rankings.
- Rates for cancer screenings, physical activity and volunteerism all increased.
- But e-cigarette use has increased, as have homelessness and unemployment.
What they found: The five healthiest states, based on social and economic factors, physical environment, clinical care, behaviors, and health outcomes, are New Hampshire, Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut and Utah.
- The five least healthy states are West Virginia, Alabama, Mississippi, Arkansas and Louisiana.
By the numbers: Texas saw the largest increase of any state in the percentage of residents who have multiple chronic conditions, rising from 8.3% in 2023 to 10.3% in 2024.
- More than 14% of rural residents in Texas have multiple chronic conditions, compared with nearly 10% of metro residents.
Social factors: Texas had one of the largest decreases in voter participation, dropping from 63.9% in the 2020 presidential election to 57.9% in 2024.
- The report also noted the drop in fourth-grade reading proficiency in Texas.
Stunning stat: Texas ranked 50th for the percentage of uninsured residents.
- 16.7% of Texas residents don't have health insurance, compared with 8.2% nationally.
The good news: Texas has a much lower rate of drug deaths than the rest of the U.S. at 18.6 per 100,000 people, compared with a national rate of 31.4 per 100,000.