Washington has cracked the top 10 healthiest states in the U.S., according to America’s Health Rankings Annual Report. But the state is still wrestling with several longstanding problems.
The report, compiled by United Health Foundation, puts Washington at No. 9 overall, up from No. 13 last year. The state improved on several indicators, including the rate of infectious diseases, cancer and smoking.
But the state lags in a few key areas that have dogged Washington for years, including a problem with binge drinking and immunization rates for young kids that put Washington in the bottom third of states.
Kathy Lofy is state health officer with the Washington Department of Health.
“For those teenage kids, Washington’s immunization rates place it in the top third of states,” she said.
United Health Foundation gives Washington high marks for holding down rates of death from cardiovascular disease.
In the overall rankings, Washington is rated as the healthiest state on the West Coast.
