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A new new report has mapped the most unhealthy states in the USA.
When you think about American health, you might picture differences between urban and rural areas, or wonder how lifestyle choices vary across the country. But the reality of health disparities between states is more stark than many realize.
Now, a new detailed analysis has mapped out exactly where America's healthiest and unhealthiest populations live.
According to the report on Americans’ well-being, the healthiest states in the country are in New England.
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Specifically, New Hampshire took the top spot, a report from the UnitedHealth Foundation found, which reviewed 2025 data from the Department of Health and Human Services on social and economic factors, physical environment, resident behaviours, clinical care and health outcomes. This was reportedly followed by Massachusetts, Vermont, Connecticut and Utah, given the states' high quality of life and clean air and water.
Furthermore, New Hampshire showed low rates of non-medical drug and cigarette smoking, along with a high percentage of people with a high school level education.
However, the state also had a high rate of excessive alcohol consumption, low public health funding and segregation between Black and white communities, the report noted.
Meanwhile, the annual report discovered that the majority of the least healthy states were dispersed across the Deep South. The least healthy state was revealed to be Louisiana, followed by Arkansas, Mississippi, Alabama and West Virginia.
Dr. Margaret-Mary Wison, CEO of the US health care company, said the findings were encouraging and that the group sees 'progress across the nation, including improvements in mortality, stabilising trends in measures of behavioural health and progress in several measures of clinical care.'
For the fourth year in a row, Louisiana ranked as the nation's least healthy state due to social and economic factors.
“The data also show the distinct challenges faced by different communities, including rural America, that must be addressed through tailored interventions,” Wilson added.
The analysis also examined broader national health patterns. According to UnitedHealth, the past decade made 'encouraging progress' in reducing physical inactivity and national death rates while increasing cancer screenings.
Across the nation, physical inactivity fell by 10 percent, despite being 1.2 times higher in rural areas. Lack of physical activity increases risks for obesity and associated conditions like cancer and heart disease.
Between 2022 and 2023, premature death rates dropped 8 percent and drug-related death rates also dropped for the first time since 2018, which was attributed to disruption to the fentanyl supply chains and reduced potency of synthetic opioids.
The report did not account for extreme weather events that could affect public health.
Climate change driven by human activity has intensified storms affecting Louisiana and the Gulf Coast, making them larger and more severe. For one, New Hampshire has experienced several devastating flood events as rising temperatures generate more moisture-packed storms.
