Georgia may be known as The Peach State, but locals may not be eating as many fruits as they should. It’s one of the unhealthiest states in the country, according to the United Health Foundation.
»RELATED: Georgia named one of the fattest states in America
The organization recently released its annual America's Health Rankings report, which analyzes the behaviors, policies, clinical care and communities of all 50 states.
To determine the results, researchers used information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the American Medical Association and the U.S. Census Bureau. They examined factors including obesity, smoking, child poverty, air pollution, immunizations and health outcomes, such as cancer deaths and diabetes.
After analyzing the data, they found that the Southeast region was among the unhealthiest. Mississippi and Louisiana were No. 50 and No. 49, respectively, but Georgia wasn’t too far behind at No. 41.
The study revealed the state has a relatively high percentage of uninsured people. Analysts also noted it was one of the least physically active states and had some of the highest child poverty rates.
In the past 15 years, children in poverty increased 20 percent, going from 19.3 to 23.2 percent. And in the past five years, adult obesity increased by 12 percent from 28.0 percent to 31.4 percent. Additionally, premature death increased three percent from 7,980 to 8,185 years lost before age 75 per 100,000 population.
»RELATED: Study: Metro counties among state's healthiest
Despite the challenges, Georgia still had a few strengths. It has a low prevalence of excessive drinking and low drug death rate. It also has high meningococcal immunization among adolescents.
Want to learn more about the findings?
Take a look at the full analysis here. And check out the 10 unhealthiest states below.
41. Georgia
42. Kentucky
43. Oklahoma
44. South Carolina
45. Tennessee
46. West Virginia
47. Alabama
48. Arkansas
49. Louisiana
50. Mississippi
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