Colorado slips in healthiest-state rankings

Vermont has maintained its ranking as the healthiest state in the country for the fourth year in a row, while Colorado slipped five spots from 2009, coming in at No. 13 for 2010.

The 2010 American's Health Rankings, released Tuesday by United Health Foundation, the American Public Health Association and Partnership for Prevention, put Massachusetts in second place, followed by New Hampshire. Mississippi was ranked as the least healthiest state, with Louisiana, Arkansas, Nevada and Oklahoma rounding out the bottom five.

Colorado slipped from 8th in 2009 to 13th this year. According to a statement from the report's authors, the state was hurt by a high geographic disparity in health care (43rd in the nation); low immunization coverage (48th); and a high rate of binge drinking (30th).

"Overall, the rankings indicated that Colorado may be set to fall even more, because the state currently ranks worse in health determinants than it does in health outcomes," the statement said.

The report says the country's overall health improved slightly in 2010 but improvements were offset by a rise in obesity, children in poverty, and lack of health insurance.

MORE NUMBERS

Rest of the West
Arizona – 31st
California –26th
Colorado – 13th
Idaho – 9th
Montana – 25th
Nevada – 47th  
New Mexico – 33rd
Oregon – 15th  
Utah – 7th  
Washington – 11th
Wyoming – 19th
 
Top 10
1 – Vermont
2 – Massachusetts
3 – New Hampshire
4 – Connecticut
5 – Hawaii
6 – Minnesota
7 – Utah
8 – Maine
9 – Idaho
10 – Rhode Island