Researchers have identified ‘America’s healthiest state’ where locals live eight years longer due to a better way of living.
They tracked all 50 states using federal health records and mapped public resources that support well-being, finding Vermont ranked number one due to exceptional access to natural resources and everyday tools for healthy living.
The data showed that people living near fresh food markets and breathing cleaner air are staying healthier for longer, without depending heavily on hospitals or prescriptions.
Nicknamed the Green Mountain State, Vermont boasts around 37.95 grocery stores per 100,000 residents, nearly 75 percent higher than the national average, allowing locals easy access to fresh, nutritious food.
The state’s cleaner air and lower dependence on hospitals and prescriptions also help keep residents healthier for longer.
New Hampshire came in second place with the cleanest air in the country. It also ranked high in life expectancy, due to outdoor activities like skiing, kayaking, and hiking that keep locals active year-round.
Washington scored third place with nearly 74 vast networks of walking routes and approximately 18 parks per 100,000 people.
Louisiana, in contrast, was placed last with a mortality rate of 72.2 years for an average resident.
Vermont tops the list as the healthiest state in the US, thanks to exceptional access to natural resources and everyday tools for healthy living
Researchers used OpenStreetMap data to count parks, gyms, walking routes, pools, and food stores in each state, then normalized these numbers per 100,000 residents for fair comparison.
They scored states on a scale of 10, with higher scores indicating better support for healthy living.
The team found that states with strong wellness infrastructure tend to have healthier residents who live longer, while those without those resources often see worse health and shorter lifespans.
It is not just a matter of data points. It’s about millions of missed birthdays, graduations, and family dinners, all because of a zip code.
The study, conducted by the Per diem healthcare staffing platform, Nursa, noted that higher park availability is associated with lower hospital readmission rates.
Other high-ranking states showed different strengths. Maine had the most parks with 50 per 100,000 people, while Utah had the lowest smoking rate of any state at 10 percent, and Colorado led in gym access with over 16 gyms per 100,000 people.
Massachusetts was another standout with 79.6 years of mortal years, while Maryland scored well in access to public swimming pools.
The shocking state turns out to be Hawaii with a 79.9 longevity rate, and still does not make it to the top of the list, as the study only focuses on wellness and infrastructure.
Hawaii’s robust life expectancy likely comes from other factors such as culture, diet, and community support, which aren’t fully captured by measures of physical infrastructure.
At the bottom of the list, the data revealed an alarming overlap of high smoking rates, low gym access, and poor air quality.
Tennessee, West Virginia, Alabama, and Nevada joined Louisiana in the bottom five.
These states also tend to see higher hospital readmission rates, which suggests ongoing health issues and pressure on local healthcare systems.
Experts concerned that high hospital readmission rates put a heavy strain on both patients and healthcare facilities.
According to Curtis Anderson, CEO of Nursa, hospitals must manage fluctuating patient numbers while following rules to avoid financial penalties.
‘This puts pressure on them to adjust staffing quickly, and managing this effectively requires flexibility and careful workforce planning,’ Anderson added.
The study also highlighted that air quality index and smoking rates are the two evident factors resulting in American’s shorter lifespan.
Researchers believes that most health outcomes depend on the surrounding areas and facilities, not just individual behavior.
That means someone in Vermont or Colorado might have easy access to a hiking trail, a fitness center, and a nearby farmer’s market.
But in rural or low-resource areas of states like Louisiana or Alabama, residents might be miles from the nearest gym, and surrounded by poor air and processed food options.
The researchers did not estimate how fast the environment changes might improve health spans but adding parks and cutting pollution could help people to live a longer life.
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