The 10 Most Unhealthy States in America

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Everyone wants to be healthy, and where you live can have much to do with that.

The residents in some states are much less healthy than in others. These states have high rates of disease risk factors and prevalence, as well as bad health habits and a high degree of substance abuse.

They often have a culture that encourages unhealthy habits and a diet that leads to obesity and illness.

Here are the ten states that are the least healthy.

West Virginia

West Virginia State Capitol on the Kanawha River in Charleston, West Virginia, USA.
Image Credit: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock.

 

According to Forbes, the lifestyle habits in West Virginia are the worst in the nation. The state also has a very high rate of substance abuse. It’s well-known for its opioid problem, and it has little access to health care.

Mississippi

Jackson, Mississippi, USA skyline over the Capitol Building.
Image Credit: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock.

 

Mississippi scores extremely high for poor lifestyle habits. The state doesn’t have a particularly high score for substance abuse. However, it has the worst score in the nation for disease risk factors and prevalence.

Tennessee

Memphis, Tennesse, USA downtown cityscape at dusk over Beale Street.
Image Credit: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock.

In Tennessee, substance abuse is a very serious problem. The problem in this state is even higher than in West Virginia. Residents generally have poor lifestyle habits and are highly at risk for disease.

Arkansas

Little Rock, Arkansas, USA skyline on the river at twilight.
Image Credit: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock.

The Natural State could use a more natural diet as the residents tend to have very poor lifestyle habits. The substance abuse problem isn’t as bad as in some states, but the residents are at high risk for disease.

Kentucky

A view from in front of newly build convention center and sports arena in downtown district of Lexington, Kentucky.
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The Bluegrass State has a high rate of substance abuse, and its residents have a lot of unhealthy habits. The state also has a high rate of disease risk and prevalence.

Alabama

Birmingham, Alabama, USA - September 9, 2023: An exterior photo of the 1912 John A. Hand Building in Birmingham, Alabama, also known as the American Trust and Savings Bank Building.
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In the Heart of Dixie, the substance abuse rate isn’t great, but it’s the lowest of all the states on this list. Alabama residents have a very high risk of disease and tend to have bad lifestyle habits.

Louisiana

New Orleans, Louisiana, USA street cars.
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The lifestyle habits in Louisiana are some of the worst in the nation. Perhaps all the delicious fried foods are to blame. The state has a terrible score for substance abuse and there is a lot of risk of disease.

Oklahoma

Tulsa, Oklahoma, USA downtown city skyline in the afternoon.
Image Credit: Sean Pavone/Shutterstock.

This state’s residents have terrible lifestyle habits on average. This has left them at a high risk for disease. The ranking for substance abuse isn’t that bad, but it does remain a problem.

Ohio

View of downtown Cleveland skyline in Ohio USA at twilight.
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It isn’t just the South that has bad health habits. The Midwest also features on this list. In Ohio, lifestyle habits are the best that are on this list, but they’re still bad. The state ranks very highly for substance abuse issues.

Indiana

FORT WAYNE, INDIANA – APRIL 20: City skyline on April 20, 2008 in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Includes the Allen County Courthouse, completed in 1902.
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The rate of substance abuse in Indiana isn’t as bad as some states, but it’s certainly too high. Disease risk factors and prevalence are high, likely because of the high rate of poor lifestyle habits.

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Outdoors portrait of middle age man at the spring, summer or autumn day.
Image Credit: Maria Sbytova/Shutterstock.

 

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Cute young brunette girl in sunglasses walks along the Los Angeles waterfront with palm trees and streets on a summer day.
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Farming and cultivations in Latin America. Portrait of middle aged hispanic farmer sitting proud in his tractor at sunset, holding the steering wheel. He looks at the camera and smiles happy.
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