The Healthiest and Unhealthiest States

Forbes ^ | 11/17/09 | Rebecca Ruiz

[Clemenza]

States in New England top a new set of rankings, while the South still lags.

If you want to be healthy, live in Vermont--or at least act like you do. It is the healthiest state in the country, according to a new report from the nonprofit United Health Foundation.

[SupplySider]

My Mississippi family: Dad died at 89. Grandmother passed at 96. Other grandmother at 88. Aunt living, next birthday she’ll be 96. All of them rarely saw a doctor, including the aunt. She goes maybe once a year to hers. And all of them loved fried chicken.

My Kentucky grandparents and aunts all made it to mid to late 80's, mother to 93. Most of them were Seventh Day Adventist vegetarians. My grandfather saw a doctor once in his life, to get an X-ray for TB screening to protect the kids.

Maybe the secret is avoiding doctors.

[dennisw]

hahahahah

[nutmeg]

I used to live 15 minutes by bus (86th Avenue to Cropsey to Stillwell) to Coney Island. Loved to get my dogs and soggy fries at Nathan’s, followed by a beer at Ruby’s as I looked out at the water (and some scary old Russian guys in speedos).

LOL! We were walking around Coney Island and Brighton Beach a few months ago... those scary old Russian guys (with or without Speedos) are still there...;-)

Are you living in NYC again? I see the NY flag on your profile...

[Cedar]

“Maybe the secret is avoiding doctors.”

That’s what my dad always said.

Just think, since the beginning of time generation after generation lived, had families, were healthy....all before the emergence of hospitals, Medicare, health insurance, etc. I know there were some diseases, infant deaths, and other problems. But those things still happen today also with a zillion doctors and medical research going on.

So, for the better part of civilization, society existed without modern medical “help.”

[Islander7]

In most areas, folks eat to live, in Mississippi, we live to eat.

Yes, I cooked this meal for a lady friend.

Boat fresh buttered shrimp in garlic sauce over patsa
Squash, broccoli and onions sauteed in seasoned olive oil
Marinated grilled steak
Smoked French bread and fine white wine.

[Little Ray]

The South is “unhealthy” ‘cause all the old Yankees fly South to die...

[Kenny Bunk]

Can’t stand New England! The most ignorant and arrogant people on Earth. The south has the prettiest girls anyway! :o)

I have the feeling you were not including Maine in your sweeping remarks? Right?

One look at Olympia Snowe's sweet face and form and you would soon realize the error of your ways. I wish I could zip a photo of Miss Maine over to you, but she is already up in the camps for the winter.

She's a stunner! A blue-eyed, raven-haired beauty, standing 5'11", weighing 184, and her measurements are Chest: 44(DD) - Waist: 43.5" - Hips 43.5", Reach: (Important for ax work) 6'2". She has a lot of her teeth left, and her hobbies are building birch bark canoes and working for World Peace. She is currently in serious training for the World Games (Log Rolling and the Double-Bitted Ax Throw) She also excels in beating the living bejesus out of people who criticize Old Norumbega in any way.

[Kenny Bunk]

We here in New England wish to commend your innovative use of the word "culture," in the same sentence with "Sacramento." We must, however, caution you not to use the word "plethora," if you are more than 5 miles away from Stanford University.

We are also worried that you perhaps are living downwind of a medical marijuana user and may be affected by the second-hand smoke.

[Kenny Bunk]

And all of them loved fried chicken.

Yes, chasing chickens will keep one in condition. Unfortunately, nowadays most Mississippians apparently get their chickens with Food Stamps, are over-medicated, and are no longer up to the challenges faced by the old-timers in your fortunate gene pool.

[editor-surveyor]

"I have the feeling you were not including Maine in your sweeping remarks? Right?"

You tryin' to put me on the spot?

My wife grew up in Winterport; her father taught at Hampden.

BTW, I like big girls, but Olympia just doesn't cut it for me :o)

[WKB]

Sounds like my kink of neighborhood.

[WKB]

Would “being high” be the equivalent of living high?

[Redbob]

In what alternate universe could Michigan or Illinois be considered “healthier” than Texas, Arkansas, Alabama, or Mississippi???

[IrishPennant]

Sounds like my kink of neighborhood.

Definitely full o' choices out there!!!

[IrishPennant]

So....it's the food joints that are at fault here. Right?

Absolutely not. They would not have opened them here, and remained if there was no demand. And there is demand. All these places are packed no matter what time of day.

[Clemenza]

Been living in Long Island City (Queens) since March.

[dragnet2]

My friend got back from Ohio and said he felt like a judge in a fat peoples contest, and all that bloated tattooed contestants were employed by the local circus.

[x]

4Hawaii

Spam isn't fattening?

[dixiebelle]

“Yeah, but Mississippi is cool.”

Heck yeah!! WE know how to cook. Go us. :)

[Kenny Bunk]

....her father taught at Hampden

You can always tell a Hamden graduate, but you can't tell'em much.