Arizona Ranks 34th for Healthy Living
- Arizona ranks 34th nationally in the Healthy Living States Index with an overall score of 47.51.
- The state ranks behind most of its neighbors, including Utah (2nd), Colorado (12th), and New Mexico (31st), but performs better than Nevada (45th).
- Despite strong Google Trends interest in healthy diets (91) and gyms (83), Arizona faces a lower life expectancy of 62.34 years and an excessive adult drinking rate of 16.0%.
New research has revealed the healthiest states in America, with a comprehensive analysis of factors affecting longevity and quality of life.
The study by GLP-1 review site Vaccine Alliance examined multiple health indicators across all 50 states, including air quality, life expectancy, healthcare spending, diet and exercise habits, and alcohol consumption. The “Healthy Living States Index” scored each state based on these critical health factors to determine where Americans are most likely to live longer, healthier lives. Sources included alcohol consumption statistics from Vinepair and the Drug Helpline, life expectancy figures from the CDC, healthcare spending data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), air quality measurements from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and interest in health-related topics as measured by Google Trends.
Arizona Study Results
Arizona earns an index score of 47.51 in the healthy living study. The state shows significant interest in wellness through Google Trends data, recording a healthy diet search score of 91 and a gym search score of 83. In terms of health risks, Arizona has an excessive adult drinking rate of 16% and an ethanol consumption rate of 2.25 gallons per capita. Environmental data from the EPA shows an Air Quality Index score of 45.4 and air pollution levels of 6 micrograms per cubic meter. Per capita healthcare spending in the state is $8,556, and the average life expectancy is 62.34 years.
Top 10 Healthiest States in America
| Rank | State | Air pollution – micrograms per cubic meter 2020 | Air quality index score 2024 | Life Expectancy, Both Sexes, 2023 | Per capita spending on healthcare 2024 | Healthy diet search score /100 (12/01/2025 – 12/01/2026) | Gyms search score /100 (12/01/2025 – 12/01/2026) | Ethanol consumption rate per capita 2023 | Excessive drinking rate by state 2023 | INDEX SCORE |
| 1 | Hawaii | 3.7 | 21.2 | 67.53 | $9,808 | 82 | 69 | 2.66 | 20.5 | 71.57 |
| 2 | Utah | 5.9 | 51.2 | 65.51 | $7,233 | 96 | 83 | 1.35 | 12.4 | 67.54 |
| 3 | New York | 6.9 | 40.4 | 66.08 | $12,221 | 87 | 80 | 2.21 | 18.2 | 67.46 |
| 4 | New Jersey | 8.1 | 44.1 | 66.52 | $10,468 | 78 | 95 | 2.36 | 17.6 | 65.45 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 6.8 | 41.4 | 66.44 | $11,985 | 69 | 90 | 2.55 | 19.5 | 64.33 |
| 6 | South Dakota | 5.4 | 39.6 | 64.7 | $12,451 | 83 | 73 | 2.37 | 17.7 | 61.40 |
| 7 | California | 12.6 | 46 | 66.48 | $11,054 | 89 | 82 | 2.49 | 18 | 60.84 |
| 8 | Maryland | 6.3 | 47 | 65.14 | $9,456 | 86 | 75 | 2.08 | 15.5 | 60.81 |
| 9 | Connecticut | 7.8 | 45 | 65.91 | $10,639 | 71 | 89 | 2.4 | 18.6 | 60.00 |
| 10 | Rhode Island | 6 | 43.7 | 65.78 | $9,864 | 76 | 83 | 2.63 | 17.9 | 59.84 |
With an impressive index score of 71.57, Hawaii substantially outperformed all other states, boasting the cleanest air in America with just 3.7 micrograms of pollution per cubic meter and the highest life expectancy at 67.53 years.
Utah secured the second position with a score of 67.54, showing particularly strong performance in healthy diet interests (96/100) and low alcohol consumption, with the third-lowest excessive drinking rate at 12.4%.
New York rounded out the top three with a score of 67.46, demonstrating balanced performance across metrics and the highest per capita healthcare spending among the top states at $12,221.
The study also highlights big regional differences in health patterns across America. Northeastern states performed particularly well, with New Jersey and Massachusetts completing the top five with scores of 65.45 and 64.33, respectively. Massachusetts residents showed strong interest in fitness, scoring 90/100 for gym-related searches, while New Jersey scored the highest in this category with an exceptional 95/100.
10 Least Healthy States in America
| Rank | State | Air pollution – micrograms per cubic meter 2020 | Air quality index score 2024 | Life Expectancy 2023 | Per capita spending on healthcare 2024 | Healthy diet search score /100 (12/01/2025 – 12/01/2026) | Gyms search score /100 (12/01/2025 – 12/01/2026) | Ethanol consumption rate per capita 2023 | Excessive drinking rate by state 2023 | INDEX SCORE |
| 50 | Louisiana | 8.3 | 40.4 | 61.42 | $10,148 | 89 | 75 | 2.55 | 18.8 | 39.27 |
| 49 | Mississippi | 8.7 | 43.7 | 61.15 | $8,135 | 82 | 62 | 2.17 | 13.3 | 39.32 |
| 48 | Kentucky | 8 | 46.1 | 60.97 | $9,964 | 84 | 72 | 1.95 | 16.3 | 40.23 |
| 47 | West Virginia | 6.7 | 47.6 | 59.93 | $12,055 | 79 | 56 | 1.74 | 11.4 | 43.13 |
| 46 | South Carolina | 7.8 | 44.8 | 62.51 | $7,741 | 89 | 77 | 2.16 | 16.6 | 44.51 |
| 45 | Nevada | 8.2 | 42.1 | 63.77 | $7,536 | 79 | 80 | 3.42 | 15.8 | 44.54 |
| 44 | Oklahoma | 8.9 | 43.5 | 61.2 | $9,052 | 85 | 86 | 1.85 | 13.9 | 44.69 |
| 43 | Ohio | 7.9 | 48.2 | 62.91 | $10,202 | 80 | 79 | 2.03 | 19.2 | 45.74 |
| 42 | Wisconsin | 7.7 | 39.5 | 65.16 | $10,079 | 76 | 65 | 2.93 | 24.5 | 46.18 |
| 41 | Tennessee | 7 | 47.5 | 61.27 | $8,761 | 87 | 82 | 2.14 | 11.2 | 46.69 |
Louisiana ranked as America’s least healthy state with a score of just 39.27. Despite showing strong interest in healthy diets with a score of 89/100, the state struggled with a low life expectancy of 61.42 years and high alcohol consumption rates.
Mississippi finished second-to-last with a score of 39.32, facing significant challenges with a life expectancy of just 61.15 years and low gym interest scores of 62/100, indicating less engagement with fitness activities.
Kentucky ranked third from the bottom with a score of 40.23. The state recorded a life expectancy of only 60.97 years despite spending $9,964 per capita on healthcare.
West Virginia placed fourth from the bottom with a score of 43.13, showing the lowest life expectancy in the nation at just 59.93 years despite having the fifth-highest healthcare spending at $12,055 per capita.
South Carolina ranked fifth from the bottom with a score of 44.51, despite showing strong interest in healthy diets with a score of 89/100.
Dr. Ayesha Bryant, Medical Expert at Vaccine Alliance, commented on the findings: “This study offers a comprehensive picture of health across America, highlighting both achievements and areas needing improvement. States performing well typically show a balance across all metrics rather than excelling in just one or two areas. What’s particularly interesting is how some states with high healthcare spending don’t necessarily achieve better outcomes. This suggests that how money is allocated within healthcare systems may be as important as how much is spent.”
ENDS
Methodology: This study analyzed multiple health factors to create a comprehensive “Healthy Living States Index” for all 50 US states. Data sources included alcohol consumption statistics from Vinepair and the Drug Helpline, life expectancy figures from the CDC, healthcare spending data from the Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA), air quality measurements from the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and interest in health-related topics as measured by Google Trends. These factors were combined and weighted to create a final index score ranking states from healthiest to least healthy.
To find the states that are most healthy, we scored all 50 states based on eight health factors. All data were converted to a 100-point scale so they could be compared fairly.
How the Score is Calculated:
- 35% Longevity: Based on CDC life expectancy data—the biggest predictor of a long life.
- 30% Health Risks: Based on alcohol and ethanol consumption rates.
- 15% Environment: Based on EPA air pollution and air quality data.
- 10% Healthcare: Based on how much is spent on healthcare per person.
- 10% Lifestyle: Based on Google Trends for “gym” and “diet” searches.
Sources:
- Vinepair – https://vinepair.com/articles/map-states-drink-alcohol-america-2022/
- Drug Helpline – https://drughelpline.org/states-that-drink-the-most-alcohol-in-america/
- US News & World Report – https://www.usnews.com/news/best-states/rankings/natural-environment/air-water-quality/urban-air-quality
- Bureau of Economic Analysis – https://www.bea.gov/data/consumer-spending/state
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention – https://www.cdc.gov/nchs/data/nvsr/nvsr73/nvsr73-07.pdf
Full State Rankings:
| Rank | State | Air pollution – micrograms per cubic meter 2020 | Air quality index score 2024 | Life Expectancy 2023 | Per capita spending on healthcare 2024 | Healthy diet search score /100 (12/01/2025 – 12/01/2026) | Gyms search score /100 (12/01/2025 – 12/01/2026) | Ethanol consumption rate per capita 2023 | Excessive drinking rate by state 2023 | INDEX SCORE |
| 1 | Hawaii | 3.7 | 21.2 | 67.53 | $9,808 | 82 | 69 | 2.66 | 20.5 | 71.57 |
| 2 | Utah | 5.9 | 51.2 | 65.51 | $7,233 | 96 | 83 | 1.35 | 12.4 | 67.54 |
| 3 | New York | 6.9 | 40.4 | 66.08 | $12,221 | 87 | 80 | 2.21 | 18.2 | 67.46 |
| 4 | New Jersey | 8.1 | 44.1 | 66.52 | $10,468 | 78 | 95 | 2.36 | 17.6 | 65.45 |
| 5 | Massachusetts | 6.8 | 41.4 | 66.44 | $11,985 | 69 | 90 | 2.55 | 19.5 | 64.33 |
| 6 | South Dakota | 5.4 | 39.6 | 64.7 | $12,451 | 83 | 73 | 2.37 | 17.7 | 61.40 |
| 7 | California | 12.6 | 46 |