Healthiest States in America

This article popped up on my home page this morning, tempting me by asking if I lived in America's Unhealthiest State. (Turns out, I don't.) 


However, people in Mississippi do. (Are we really shocked, people? Really?) The article points to low graduation rates and lack of primary care physicians as major factors in the low ranking. I guess we are ignoring the fact that folks in the Deep South would fry their breakfast cereal if given the chance.


The five unhealthiest states were:      

46. Oklahoma

47. Nevada

48. Arkansas

49. Louisiana

50. Mississippi   

Source

However, I did make a face at the supposed "healthiest" state: Vermont. Say what? The article said that Vermonters (Vermontians? Whatever.) were probably "out celebrating their first-place finish with an invigorating mountain hike". Has the author of this article ever been to Vermont? Because I'm pretty sure a snowy January hike would be a bit more than "invigorating". Try "so cold it makes you wonder if your fingers are still attached to your body". 


The 5 healthiest states were: 

1. Vermont

2. Massachusetts

3. New Hampshire

4. Connecticut

5. Hawaii 

(Ok, really? I would be a lot healthier too if I had the option of being in a bathing suit 350 days a year.)

I call bias on this so-called "study". New England has 4 of the 5 healthiest states? Ahead of Hawaii? 

Even if it is true, I lived in New England for one winter, and that was enough for me. I'll still take the South any day, where the winters are mild (minus the past few days), the beaches are close, and the people are better-looking. Thanks. And pass the fried pickles.