Connecticut is the third-healthiest state in the nation, according to a new report by United Health Foundation. But it wasn't all good news for the Nutmeg State.
Only Hawaii and Massachusetts scored higher in the annual America's Health Rankings, a report that takes into account 33 factors -- like health behaviors, outcomes, policy, and the environment.
Connecticut was the best state for childhood immunizations, and was number two in the fewest number of people who die before the age of 75. Only two states had fewer smokers, and Connecticut ranked near the bottom for occupational fatalities.
But Connecticut ranked 42 in health disparities between poor and affluent citizens, 33rd for excessive drinking and air pollution, and 28th in drug overdose deaths.
From the report for Connecticut:
Strengths:
- Low prevalence of smoking
- Low incidence of infectious disease
- High immunization coverage among children
Challenges:
- High prevalence of excessive drinking
- High levels of air pollution
- Large disparity in health status by educational attainment
Highlights:
- In the past three years, drug deaths increased 44 percent from 10.5 to 15.1 deaths per 100,000 population.
- In the past year, physical inactivity increased 14 percent from 20.6 percent to 23.5 percent of adults.
- In the past year, children in poverty increased 20 percent from 12.3 percent to 14.8 percent of children.
- In the past year, HPV immunizations among males aged 13 to 17 years increased 56 percent from 27 to 42 percent.
- In the past nine years, cancer deaths decreased nine percent from 191.2 to 173.2 deaths per 100,000 population.
Connecticut jumped up three spots from last year's report.
Heather Brandon contributed to this report.
