Mapped: Utah ranks 5th in U.S. for overall health
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Utah ranks fifth nationwide for overall health and well-being in a state-by-state health report card released last week by the United Health Foundation.
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."
Zoom in: Utah scores well on:
- 🥃 Low prevalence of excessive drinking
- 🤒 Low prevalence of multiple chronic conditions
- 🚨 Low homicide rate
Yes, but: Some stubborn red flags persist:
- 💊 High prevalence of non-medical drug use
- 🩺 Low number of primary care providers per 100,000 people
- 💵 High prevalence of adults avoiding care due to cost
A few more worrisome findings: Obesity in Utah is up 21%, from 25.7% to 31% of adults between 2014 and 2024.
- Flu vaccination also decreased 15% from 43.2% to 36.6% of adults between 2022 and 2024.
Flashback: Last year, the United Health Foundation's report ranked Utah the sixth healthiest state in the U.S., up three spots from 2023's report, which placed Utah at number nine.
Zoom out: The report finds an array of encouraging signs for America: Rates of premature death, drug deaths, firearm deaths and homicides all fell. Rates of cancer screenings, physical activity and volunteerism all increased, Axios' Mike Allen writes.
- But rates of e-cigarette use and multiple chronic conditions increased. Homelessness and unemployment — socioeconomic factors that help determine the nation's health — rose.
State of play: The five healthiest states, based on social and economic factors, physical environment, clinical care, behaviors and health outcomes:
- 1. New Hampshire
- 2. Massachusetts
- 3. Vermont
- 4. Connecticut
- 5. Utah
The least healthy states:
- 46. West Virginia
- 47. Alabama
- 48. Mississippi
- 49. Arkansas
- 50. Louisiana
Go deeper: Read the full report