| West Virginia is ranked near the worst in the people's health, according to the
non-profit United Health Foundation. The ranking is based on data from federal
agencies, the National Safety Council and the National Association of State Budget
Officers.
The number of non-insured or poorly insured continues to rise.
The rankings take into account risk factors, such as smoking rates, people's risk
for heart disease, lack of health insurance and poverty rates.
The analysis includes the number of deaths from cancer and heart problems,
infectious disease rates and infant mortality.
The foundation's report said the state's risk of heart disease is 22 percent above
the national average.
The state has never ranked higher than 40th or lower than 45th since the
foundation started publishing the list in 1989.
Minnesota and New Hampshire tied for 1st as the healthiest states, according to
the group's analysis. Mississippi ranked last.
Visit www.unitedhealthfoundation.org to see the group's report.
| 
