Vermont is the third healthiest state in the union in new report published by AmericanHealthRankings.org– just behind #1 Massachusetts and #2 Hawaii. That’s an improvement over 2016, when Vermont ranked fifth overall.
This annual report takes into consideration a few factors like healthy behaviors and health policy when making these rankings.
Officially, Vermont’s ranking looks like this.
The “2”s in the middle are thanks in part to great air quality, a low violent crime rate, one of the lowest uninsured rates in the country, and one of the highest doctor (especially mental health doctors) to patient ratios in the country.
There’s always room for improvement.
According to this report Vermont likes its craft beer– a lot. There’s nothing wrong with that, especially when folks from all over bring their business to local breweries. But excessive drinking can lead to all sorts of nasty things like cardiovascular disease a.k.a. heart disease, the number one killer of, well, everyone.
Congratulations Vermont on moving up in the charts. Read the full report here
Resources:
Support Groups – Find a support group of people facing similar challenges.
The Turning Point Center in Bennington – Just want to talk about yours or a loved one’s alcohol or substance use?