A report released by the United Health Foundation has ranked Colorado No. 8 among the states in terms of its residents’ overall health. The report was released in association with the American Public Health Association and Partnership for Prevention.
 
Colorado was ranked No. 14 last year and the ranking has considerably gone up.
 
Minnesota is still healthy but their ranking has gone down this year to No. 6 as compared to last year when it was No.3. This is the lowest ranking received by the state since 1990, when this ranking began.
 
The strong points of the state are low rates of premature deaths, deaths from cardiovascular disease, infant mortality, uninsured population, and occupational fatalities. The public health funding was reduced and binge drinking rates moderate.
 
The annual “America’s Health Rankings” reports have tracked state-by-state statistics for 20 years. The aim of these rankings is to throw light on the need to change “unhealthy behaviors that contribute to preventable, chronic diseases as the key to improving the nation’s health.”
 
The obesity rate has risen nationwide by 130% since the first report was issued 20 years ago. Obesity is the root cause of a number of serious health issues which include heart disease and diabetes.

Vermont is the number 1 state as per the report followed by Utah, Massachusetts, Hawaii, New Hampshire, Minnesota, Connecticut and Colorado.