Louisiana has dethroned Mississippi for the dubious distinction of unhealthiest state in the nation, according to an annual report issued on December 3, 2008 by the United Health Foundation, the American Public Health Association and the Partnership for Prevention.
Meanwhile, Vermont ranked as the healthiest state.
There is little mystery behind either of these findings. Unfortunately, many Southern states are habitually clustered near the bottom of the rankings, and place similarly high in obesity and rates of smoking, both of which contribute to heart disease and many types of cancer.
Conversely, Vermont's obesity rate is 22 percent, four points below the national average and nine points below Louisiana’s 31 percent rate. Vermont also has low smoking, child poverty and violent crime rates, and a large number of doctors per capita.
The good news is that no matter where you live, you have more control over your own life and health than you may imagine. In fact, as an Arizonan myself, I would argue that those of us in the southern tier of the U.S. have at least two big health advantages over northerners:
With our long growing seasons, our backyard organic gardens and local farmers' markets have fresh produce for nearly the entire year.
Our milder climate allows more time for outdoor exercise, and a better opportunity for prudent sun exposure that keeps our vitamin D levels in a healthy range.
In short, there is no need for southerners to move, just emulate the lives of those in the healthiest states: eat sensibly, exercise, practice stress reduction and don't smoke. I assure you, geography is not destiny.
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