The Best and Worst States for Health Care (2024)

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The Best and Worst States for Health Care? ›

Georgia tops the list of worst states for healthcare, while Minnesota is the state with the best healthcare. Seven of the top 10 worst states for healthcare are in the South, including Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, Mississippi, South Carolina, Arkansas and Texas.

Georgia tops the list of worst states for healthcare, while Minnesota is the state with the best healthcare. Seven of the top 10 worst states for healthcare are in the South, including Georgia, Alabama, North Carolina, Mississippi, South Carolina, Arkansas and Texas.

West Virginia is the state with the least healthy population, while Hawaii has the healthiest residents, according to a Forbes Advisor analysis released Jan. 8.

A 2023 report by The Commonwealth Fund, an independent research group, also found that the U.S. has the highest rate of people diagnosed with multiple chronic illnesses when compared to other wealthy nations. As for the unhealthiest state in America, West Virginia claims the No. 1 spot.

Hawaii's unemployment insurance system was the most generous in the country. Unemployed workers received an average benefit of nearly $423, or 52.5% of the average weekly wage, as of the third quarter of 2013 — both more than any other state. By either measure this was more than any other state.

Hawaii secures its spot at number one with the highest score of 79.40 out of 100. Hawaii ranks as the healthiest state with a final score of 79.4. It has the lowest PM2. 5 Annual Average Concentration and a relatively low obesity rate.

Among states, Hawaii ranks No. 1 overall for healthcare, according to U.S. News & World Report's annual best states rankings published May 7.

The unhealthiest place to live in the U.S. is Brownsville, Texas, according to personal finance site WalletHub. In a report released April 1, WalletHub determined the healthiest cities in the U.S. The site compared 182 cities across four dimensions: healthcare, food, fitness and green space.

What state has the best doctors? ›

In 2024, Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska are the best states for practicing medicine, while Hawaii, Rhode Island and New Jersey are the most difficult, according to WalletHub's recently released list of the best and worst states for physicians.

1. Mississippi. Emerging as the most economical state, Mississippi boasts a cost of living index score of 86. It touts the lowest average housing costs in the country, standing at 33.7% below the national average, with a median single-family home priced around $140,818.

Hawaii is the top state for healthcare, according to U.S. News & World Report's annual best states rankings published May 2. The overall state ranking is based on 71 metrics across eight categories, including healthcare, education and economy.

North Carolina ranks as the worst state for healthcare costs, Utahns struggle the hardest in getting healthcare access, New Mexico has the worst quality of hospital care in the country, and Mississippi is the worst state for positive healthcare outcomes.

California, Arizona, Florida, Washington, Hawaii, Utah, Alaska, Wyoming, D.C., and New Jersey ranked as the 10 Best Places for Wellness. Alabama, Oklahoma, Louisiana, Arkansas, Iowa, Delaware, North Dakota, Nebraska, Kentucky and Mississippi ranked as the 10 Worst States for Wellness.

In 2024, Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska are the best states for practicing medicine, while Hawaii, Rhode Island and New Jersey are the most difficult, according to WalletHub's recently released list of the best and worst states for physicians.

Texas is still the state with the highest percentage of uninsured residents, at nearly 17 percent, according to the most recent U.S. Census Bureau survey released Thursday. Sign up for The Brief, The Texas Tribune's daily newsletter that keeps readers up to speed on the most essential Texas news.

Best States for Hospital Care

Massachusetts ranks first as the best state for hospitals in the United States. Massachusetts is home to some of the best hospitals in the country such as Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's hospital.

Utah is the healthiest state in the nation for older adults in 2023, according to the United Health Foundation's 11th annual "America's Health Rankings Senior Report." The May 16 report reviewed 10 years of data to provide a comprehensive look at the health and well-being of Americans 65 and older.