California climbed to #23 – up one spot from its 2008 ranking as the 24th healthiest state to live in – according to a study by the United Health Foundation.
The good news:
• The state earned high marks for its low prevalence of smoking, low rates of occupational fatalities, cancer deaths and infant mortaility.
• The prevalence of smoking in the state continued to drop, and was down from 16.8 percent to 14 percent of the population over the past five years.
The bad news:
• In the past year, the percentage of California children under age 18 classified as “in poverty” climbed from 17.9 percent to 20.2 percent. The high school graduation rate, meanwhile, fell from 74.6 percent to 69.2 percent.
The state’s best and worst category ratings:
• Prevalence of smoking – 2nd
• Occupational fatalities – 3rd
• Infant mortality – 5th
• Cancer deaths – 6th
• Prenatal care – 9th
• Prevalence of obesity – 9th
• Public health funding – 10th
• Preventable hospitalizations – 10th
• Poor mental health days – 41st
• Infectious disease – 43rd
• Lack of health insurance – 44th
• Air pollution – 47th

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