Mississippi remains the unhealthiest state for the ninth year straight, according to America's Health Rankings released yesterday.
The United Health Foundation, the American Public Health Association and the Partnership for Prevention publish the rankings. Mississippi's ranking points to the state's high obesity rate of 35.3 percent, the child poverty rate of 31.9 percent and unequal access to physicians as challenges to overall health.
The ranking also cites statewide disparities in health with 42.9 percent of obese blacks, compared to 29.3 percent obese whites. On the plus side, Mississippi has a low prevalence of binge drinking and ranks high for childrens' immunization coverage.
Vermont ranks as the healthiest state.
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