Minnesota tops the list of the healthiest states according to United Health Foundation’s (UHF) 2004 state health rankings, followed by New Hampshire and Vermont. They are followed by Hawaii (4), Utah (5), and Massachusetts (6). The bottom three states on this year’s list are Louisiana at 50, Mississippi at 49 and Tennessee at 48. Overall, the health of the Americans has improved by 17.5 percent since 1990.   All 50 states have shown positive health changes according to the UHF nationwide survey report.  Better personal health choices, safer communities, and public health programs have contributed to this increase.  But even in the healthiest states, minority groups suffer disproportionately more health problems leading to premature death.

Source:  America ’s Health: State Health Rankings 2004, United Health Foundation, http://www.unitedhealthfoundation.org