Vermont and New Hampshire top the list of the healthiest states for seniors, new research shows.
Vermont is the No. 1 healthiest state for seniors, and New Hampshire ranks second. Minnesota falls to third after being ranked first for two years in a row, according to the newest edition of United Health Foundation’s America’s Health Rankings Senior Report: A Call to Action for Individuals and Their Communities.
Hawaii and Utah round out the top five states, respectively.
Louisiana ranks 50th as the least healthy state for older adults, preceded by Mississippi, Kentucky, Arkansas and Oklahoma, research shows.
But even the top ranking state has areas in which to improve, including a high prevalence of chronic drinking, low hospice care use and high prevalence of falls.
“It is heartening to see seniors’ health is improving, but our societal challenge remains finding ways to encourage more seniors to be more active,” says Rhonda Randall, D.O., senior adviser to United Health Foundation, and chief medical officer and executive vice president, UnitedHealthcare Retiree Solutions, in a statement.
Strong community support is key to promoting positive health among seniors, Randall says.
“We must work together – across states, communities and our own families – to encourage all seniors to find ways to be as active as they’re able to be,” she says.
Read the report here.
Written by Cassandra Dowell
