Stay away from these death states
Filed under: Health
Folks living in Mississippi might want to consider changing zip codes. According to a report from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, National Center for Health Statistics, Magnolians have, on average, a 20% shorter life span than the national average.
Mississippi isn't the only southern state you're most likely to die in. Nine out of 10 "death states" are in the south.
Want to tack years onto your lifespan? Stay away from real estate in these states.
- Mississippi. The numbers just aren't good. Mississippi has the third most cancer deaths, the sixth highest percentage of its population not covered by health insurance and the 20th highest rate of suicides. Add that, and incidentals like seat belt compliance and number of smokers, and you've got the state with the shortest life expectancy. Mississippi also has the highest rate of infant deaths in the country, with 11.4 out of every 1,000 babies born (alive) dying.
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Alabama. We're not picking on the South. Really. But with a neighbor ranking number one as the deadliest state, you'd think Alabama would want to set itself apart from the pack. Alabama's got the third highest infant death rate, ranks seventh highest in cancer deaths and has nearly double the national average of sexually transmitted diseases than other states.
- West Virginia. Babies don't fare too well here, either. West Virginia earned a spot on the "Deadliest States" list by having the 10th highest infant death rate, sixth highest rate of cancer deaths and second highest rate of smokers.
- Louisiana. With a combination of high numbers of sexually transmitted diseases, new cases of cancer and AIDS, and the highest number of residents without access to health care, it's no wonder Louisiana is ranked number 4.
- Oklahoma.The only state in the top 10 that's not in the South, Okies earned their deadly distinction by having a whole bunch of "little" things go wrong. Oklahoma didn't take home any top prizes as "worst" in terms of highest deaths of one specific group (like cancer deaths, or babies). But its top 10 ranking in many of these categories added up to it edging its way into the top 5. One of it's most deadly attributes: Oklahomans light up -- a lot. It's home to the third highest number of adult smokers.
Rounding out the top 10 are Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, South Carolina and Georgia.
Gina Roberts-Grey is a freelance writer specializing in consumer issues.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 5)
10-29-2009 @ 12:38AM
gabi Patel said...
Interesting! Did anyone else notice that these states are VERY REPUBLICAN?? CAN THEY get any redder???
Reply
10-29-2009 @ 2:18PM
Doogie said...
Mmmm... Interesting. South, tobacco, whiskey, Rednecks.
10-30-2009 @ 8:33AM
MOther Irish said...
It has nothing to do with politics and everything to do with lifestyle. These folks prefer to smoke than pay for health care or get prenatal health care. And who says the ones with the bad lifestyle even vote? Most more than likely voted for a Democrate with the hope of getting more free. Who smokes the most? Gender_____ Race____. Who lives a free sex life style?_____ Fill in the blanks. And then go out and thank Lyndon Johnson for his great society and Obama who will give the store away. OOHH that was a political statement wasn't it.
11-01-2009 @ 3:00PM
Sarah said...
I love how everyone labels these states as full of "rednecks' and other stuff. Being a redneck has nothing to do with being a high death rate state. It's very ignorant to say that. These states are full of many types of races in which some live longer than the others and some live shorter than other races. This causes the death rate to decrease or increase. The south is full of other races because of slave dicendants who are of different races which has caused the death rates to be higher in these places.
11-01-2009 @ 3:29PM
st said...
It's not a Political issue! Give me a break! What a "Moran"".....
11-01-2009 @ 4:24PM
Mr. Lee said...
And can you get any more stupid?
11-01-2009 @ 4:58PM
g a mann said...
In Louisiana, homos and blacks are 98% democrats. In the South this
is the case in all states. The whites and as you say "rednecks" are Republicans. Guess you are shot out of water with your opinion.
11-01-2009 @ 6:23PM
jkellmorrow said...
YES, IT IS POLITICS. REPUBLICAN NEOCONS STILL INSIST THAT SMOKING DOESN'T CAUSE CANCER. REPUBLICANS ARE LESS LIKELY TO WEAR SEATBELTS BECAUSE THEY THINK THAT SEATBELTS ARE A COMMUNIST PLOT. REPUBLICANS ALSO HAVE MORE OF A TENDANCY TO SPEED, BECAUSE THEY DON'T LIKE GOVERNMENT TELLING THEM HOW FAST THEY CAN GO. I STILL LAUGH AT THE NUMBER OF SUV DRIVERS GOING 90 MPH WITH A CIGARETTE STICKING OUT OF THEIR MOUTHS AND A W STICKER ON THEIR BACK WINDOW.
11-01-2009 @ 6:45PM
jackie said...
You think Louisiana is redneck,,,,,,I don't think so,,look who lives in New Orleans and all they showed during Katrina..OBAMA fans,they are not red....
11-01-2009 @ 8:08PM
chris said...
WHO THE F---- CARES? Have you ever been there? Do you know the status of ALL the people living there? Do you know any of the demographics? I'll answer for you......only an ignoramus like yourself would flauntingly demonstrate the same by your comment: NO to all three questions. Until the moment you imbeciles and idiots get a grip on what is really going on SHUT YOUR IGNORANT SUCKS! Unfortunately, the way you treasonous bastards voted in the last presidential election; your becoming informed is probably not in the cards; let alone getting a grip!
10-29-2009 @ 2:21PM
brian r said...
i know. we have to sit and listen to their leaders about gun control and health care
Reply
10-29-2009 @ 2:19PM
Shoshana said...
Normally I would try and defend the region in which I was born and raised, but this list is spot on. The South also takes the cake when it comes to obesity, something which I am surprised was not mentioned in the article.
Reply
11-01-2009 @ 6:39PM
rachelannwood said...
Obesity wasn't mentioned because someone just tossed out a bunch of numbers and assigned them to different states. You don't believe every word you see here do you?
10-31-2009 @ 2:43PM
danymac said...
The states may be "red" but who are the ones in those states having a shorter life span? 9 of the top 10 are in the south and all have large black populations. 37% of Missippi is black. Statistically blacks have a shorter life span in the USA than whites and blacks vote in excess of 90% for the Democrats.
Reply
11-01-2009 @ 3:04PM
jackisbackprt4 said...
The states may be "red" but who are the ones in those states having a shorter life span? 9 of the top 10 are in the south and all have large black populations. 37% of Missippi is black. Statistically blacks have a shorter life span in the USA than whites and blacks vote in excess of 90% for the Democrats. "====Bull!
11-01-2009 @ 4:26PM
Elysee said...
There's a correlation between race and income; those who aren't caucasion tend to have a lower income. There's also a correlation between income and political stance; the lower the income; the greater the chances of a liberal viewpoint. Southern states may be largely populated by minorities who vote for liberally, but most of these states are run by wealthy Republicans who keep the poor beneath the poverty line and the wealthy rolling in the bucks.
11-01-2009 @ 4:38PM
Tish said...
No one but a racist would go for the color thing. The fact still remains that these southern states have no medical care but guns are more important. What a bunch of smart dummies. These staes are republicans so what does that tell you about them. They speak of the death panel they have their own. No one gets insurance so you all die.
10-29-2009 @ 2:27PM
Don Heesen said...
High concentration of radon, perhaps.
Reply
10-29-2009 @ 2:29PM
Duhhhh said...
"Half of the states in the U.S. -- an astounding 25 out of 50 -- have higher than average death rates." - THIS IS THE MOST IGNORANT STATEMENT EVER!!!!!
Of course half have a lower than average expectancy - how the heck do you think you come up with an AVERAGE!?!
Reply
11-01-2009 @ 2:42PM
wper said...
Thank you!