Mississippi is unhealthiest state, United Health Foundation reports

Mississippi is unhealthiest state, United Health Foundation reports

OXFORD — Mississippi again is dead last in the nation in overall health rankings compiled by the United Health Foundation, a nonprofit subsidiary of insurer UnitedHealth Group.

More than one out of three Mississippians is obese, ranking the state last in that category. And there appears to be no end in sight to the obesity epidemic, with the number of obese adults growing from 30.9 percent of the population in 2000 to 34.5 percent this year.

The state ranked 49th in the percentage of residents with diabetes and 46th in the smoking category, according to the 22nd annual edition of America’s Health Rankings.

Commercial Appeal
12/7/11