20 Healthiest States for 2009

No. 1: Minnesota

For the second year in a row, Minnesota tops the list of healthiest states.

The North Star State boasts the highest percentage of adults who exercise, as well as the third-lowest infant mortality rate and third highest percentage of the population covered by health insurance.

Next: No. 2 Healthiest State

No. 2: Massachusetts

Massachusetts moved up three places this year to become the second healthiest state.

Bay Staters know the value of health insurance -- the state has the highest percentage of children covered by health insurance, and the second highest percentage of all citizens covered by insurance.

Next: No. 3 Healthiest State

No. 3: Hawaii

Hawaii moved up to third place from its eighth place ranking last year. That's a whopping five place improvement.

The Aloha State has the lowest death rate and the highest seat belt usage, and is tied with Massachusetts for the second highest population percentage covered by health insurance.

Next: No. 4 Healthiest State

No. 4: Iowa

Iowa moved into fourth place from its sixth place rank last year.

Hawkeye Staters take good care of their children. The state boasts a low infant mortality rate and a high percentage of children covered by health insurance.

Next: No. 5 Healthiest State

No. 5: New Hampshire

Though New Hampshire remains in the top ten this year, the state actually moved down three places from last year's second place rank.

The Granite State has the lowest teenage birth rate and the lowest sexually transmitted disease rate. The state also has the second highest percentage of fully immunized children ages 19 to 35 months.

Next: No. 6 Healthiest State

No. 6: Vermont

Like New Hampshire, Vermont also moved down three places, from its third place ranking last year.

The Green Mountain State boasts the second-lowest teenage birth and sexually transmitted disease rates, as well as the third-lowest percentage of the population lacking access to primary care.

Next: No. 7 Healthiest State

No. 7: Utah

Utah moved into the top ten this year from its No. 12 spot in 2008.

The Beehive State has the lowest infant mortality rate, as well as the lowest death rate by malignant neoplasms, and the lowest rate of new cancer cases.

Next: No. 8 Healthiest State

No. 8: Maine

Maine moved down four places from its No. 4 rank in 2008.

The Pine Tree State has the third-lowest sexually transmitted disease rate and also scores low in teenage birth rate, as well as in percentage of births with a low birth weight.

Next: No. 9 Healthiest State

No. 9: Connecticut

Connecticut slid into the top ten this year from its eleventh place rank last year.

The Constitution State boasts a low death rate and a low suicide rate. Connecticut also has a low percentage of smoking adults.

Next: No. 10 Healthiest State

No. 10: Nebraska

Nebraska is barely holding onto its top ten spot, moving down from last year's seventh place rank.

The Cornhusker State scores high in the rate of beds in community hospitals and low in its percentage of population lacking access to primary care.

Next: No. 11 Healthiest State

No. 11: Rhode Island

Rhode Island just missed the top ten this year, moving down one place from its number ten spot last year.

On the plus side, the Ocean State has the third-lowest suicide rate and also has a low percentage of obese adults.

Next: No. 12 Healthiest State>

No. 12: Washington

Washington improved one space this year, inching its way closer to the top ten.

Evergreen Staters must take prenatal care seriously -- the state boasts a low percentage of births of low birth weight, as well as the third-lowest infant mortality rate.

Next: No. 13 Healthiest State

No. 13: North Dakota

North Dakota moved down four places this year from its ninth place rank in 2008.

The Peace Garden State has the second-lowest rate of newly-reported AIDS cases and also has a low sexually transmitted disease rate.

Next: No. 14 Healthiest State

No. 14: New Jersey

New Jersey improved two places this year from 2008's No. 16 rank.

The Garden State has the lowest population percentage lacking primary care and one of the highest percentages of fully immunized children ages 19 to 35 months.

Next: No. 15 Healthiest State

No. 15: Wisconsin

Wisconsin moved down one place from last year's No. 14 spot.

For the second year in a row Wisconsin has the highest percentage of binge drinkers, but on the plus side the Badger State scores high in the percentage of adults who exercise and has a low teenage birth rate.

Next: No. 16 Healthiest State

No. 16: Kansas

Kansas dropped down five spots in 2008, which moved the state out of the top ten. Luckily the Sunflower State only dropped down by one place this year.

Kansas boasts a high rate of beds in community hospitals and also has a low percentage of adults who smoke.

Next: No. 17 Healthiest State

No. 17: California

California remains in the same No. 17 spot it occupied last year.

The Golden State has the third-lowest death rate and low infant mortality and suicide rates.

Next: No. 18 Healthiest State

No. 18: West Virginia

West Virginia moved up an incredible eight spaces this year from its No. 26 spot in 2008.

Though the Mountain State has a high percentage of births of low birth weight and a high death rate, the state has the second-lowest percentage of children not covered by health insurance and a low sexually transmitted disease rate.

Next: No. 19 Healthiest State

No. 19: Oregon

Oregon is in the same exact No. 19 spot it occupied last year.

The Beaver State has the second-lowest percentage of births of low birth weight and a low percentage of adults who smoke.

Next: No. 20 Healthiest State

No. 20: Michigan

Michigan barely squeaks into the top 20 this year from its No. 22 spot in 2008.

The Great Lakes State boasts a low percentage of population not covered by health insurance as well as a high safety belt usage rate.

' More on CQ Press's Ranking

Next: Most Dangerous States

Most Dangerous States

You've seen the safest states in America for 2009, now check out which states CQ Press ranked as the most dangerous.

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Safest States in America

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