THE LEDGER-STAR
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Tuesday, October 18, 1994 TAG: 9410190634
SECTION: FRONT PAGE: A1 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: ASSOCIATED PRESS
DATELINE: MINNEAPOLIS LENGTH: Medium: 72 lines
New Hampshire's environment, along with the nation's lowest premature death rate and low crime rates, made it the healthiest state in an annual survey. Virginia ranked ninth, and Louisiana was the least healthiest.
Northwestern National Life Insurance Co., which computes the list every year based on 17 different health measures, said Monday that Minnesota had dropped into second place, largely because it has more smokers.
Utah and Connecticut were tied for third, followed by Hawaii, Vermont, Massachusetts, Iowa, and Virginia. Kansas, Colorado and Nebraska tied for tenth in the ranking.
Louisiana was ranked the least healthiest state, followed by Mississippi and West Virginia.
The report says Louisiana has a low high school graduation rate, a high number of motor vehicle deaths, high violent crime, poor access to primary care, high heart disease and a high total mortality rate. It's infant mortality rate of 8.8 deaths per 1,000 births is slightly better than the national average.
Researchers rated measures of disease, lifestyle, access to health care, occupational safety and disability and mortality.
Arlene Wheaton, project manager for the Minneapolis-based insurance company, said the overall health of Americans has improved since 1990, largely due to a decline in smoking, fewer traffic accident deaths, greater state support for health care for low-income people and lower infant mortality.
``People are smoking less and making safer driving choices, such as wearing seat belts and not drinking and driving,'' Wheaton said. ``They've improved diet and exercise and are experiencing lower heart disease. And now more women are seeking prenatal care in the early stages of pregnancy.''
In Minnesota, however, the smoking rate is now 23.3 percent, up from 21.4 percent last year, causing the state to drop one slot in the rankings.
``The key culprit is an increase in the smoking rate,'' Wheaton said.
The national average smoking rate is 23 percent, Wheaton said, and the percentage of people who smoke dropped 6.5 percent since 1990.
The report said 29 states showed improvements in their overall health score from 1993, while 12 states dropped and nine states showed no change.
North Carolina had the most improved health score, moving from 37th last year to 30th in 1994. Contributing to the improvement was a 15 percent decrease in cigarette smoking, a 15 percent drop in motor vehicle deaths and a decrease in infant mortality from 10.3 to 9.3 deaths per 1,000 live births.
Northwestern National Life began compiling the rankings in 1989 as a way to raise public awareness about public health issues and in turn, help reduce health care costs. ILLUSTRATION: Graphic
HEALTHIEST STATES
1994 rankings; a state's score is equal to the percent above or
below the average.
1.New Hampshire 21
2.Minnesota 20
3.Utah 19
(tie)Connecticut 19
5.Hawaii 18
6.Vermont 16
7.Massachusetts 15
8.Iowa 14
9.Virginia 13
10. Kansas 12
(tie)Colorado 12
(tie)Nebraska 12
by CNB