Louisiana Ranks As One Of The Most Unhealthy States…Again!!!

As we approach the end of 2012, we start to see many lists come out and one of the more popular "lists" is the list of the Most Healthy States in the United States. Well, we can report that Louisiana has again made the bottom of this list.

Our home state, Louisiana, along with our neighboring state,Mississippi, has been listed as one of the most UNHEALTHY states once again. Yes, for the last 23 years we have been on the bottom of the list when it comes to the most healthy of all states.

According to ABC News, both Louisiana and Mississippi, "have low rates of binge drinking, but suffer from high rates of occupational fatalities and children in poverty.  These two states are in the bottom five in about half of the 24 components that make up the overall ranking, including high rates of chronic conditions like sedentary lifestyle, obesity and diabetes." While many factors seem to be taken into consideration while composing such a list, it seems to all revolve around the lifestyle we choose to live here in Louisiana. Sure, we may have the best food and cooking in the country, but that ultimately has lead us to labeled as one of the most unhealthy states in the U.S.

As for the most healthy state you ask, well that belongs to Vermont. Vermont has a high rate of high school graduation and low rate of uninsured population. Still, it should be noted that the most healthy state on this list does have it's own setback(s). Vermonters have a relatively high rate of cancer deaths and takes part in binge drinking more than most other states.

You may be asking, how can Louisiana improve on the list of Most Healthy States, I think it starts with lifestyle. We must change our priorities in our day-to-day life. I also believe that our education system needs to be revamped. Yet, for some reason the education system in Louisiana continues to be subjected to more and more "budget cuts." It will take more than us going to the gym to improve on the list of The Most Healthy States, but if we all do our small part, we too can rebound from the bottom of this list.

Source: ABCNews