Here Is VA's Health, Wellness Rank In New Study

VIRGINIA — Are Virginia residents staying healthy and well? A new study reveals which states are the best places to live for well-being based on environment and healthy behaviors.

Market researcher Ozmosi looked at health factors in all 50 states from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to determine a Healthiest States Index for 2023.

Data includes the rate of obesity, air quality, physical activity, health conditions such as cancer and heart disease, and consumption habits for food, alcohol, and tobacco.

Hawaii was the top ranked state with a score of 79.4 out of 100.

Virginia is ranked 28th in the country based on the Ozmosi analysis with a score of 60.20. More than 36 percent of Virginians get less than seven hours of sleep per night, and the state has an obesity rate of 34 percent.

Also, over 39 percent of Virginia adults are not eating their recommended daily serving of fruits, the study said. And, 34 percent of Virginia adults have high cholesterol, while 19 percent of residents are smokers and 16 percent binge alcohol.

Kentucky and West Virginia were the bottom-ranked states on the Ozmosi list, both with scores of 40 out of 100.