Ava McDonnell
According to a recent research by the Vaccine Alliance, Florida ranks 14th nationwide, placing it among the healthier places to live in the U.S.
The study analyzed health and lifestyle data across all 50 states, evaluating factors that influence longevity and quality of life. Florida earned an overall index score of 57.99, driven by strong public interest in healthy eating and fitness, along with a solid life expectancy.
Researchers found that Florida scored 87 out of 100 for healthy diet-related search interest and 82 out of 100 for gym-related searches. The state’s life expectancy was measured at 65.13 years, aligning closely with the national average.
The index assessed eight core health indicators, including air quality, healthcare spending, diet and exercise interest, alcohol consumption, and life expectancy. Florida’s per capita healthcare spending was $9,545, while its excessive drinking rate stood at 17.4%. Air pollution levels were measured at 7.9 micrograms per cubic meter, with an air quality index score of 38.9.
Nationally, Hawaii ranked first with an index score of 71.57, supported by the cleanest air in the country and the highest life expectancy. Utah and New York followed in second and third place, showing strong performances across multiple health indicators.
At the bottom of the rankings, Louisiana was named the least healthy state, followed by Mississippi and Kentucky, largely due to lower life expectancy and higher alcohol-related health concerns.
The findings underscore Florida’s relatively strong position nationally, while also pointing to opportunities for improvements in areas such as alcohol and consumption and environmental health.
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