4. Minnesota
Minnesota had the lowest child poverty rate in the country, an important health indicator since children living in poverty are more likely to have unmet health needs. The state also had the lowest rate of cardiovascular deaths in the country, and the lowest overall death rate for Americans under age 75. In the past eight years, preventable hospitalizations in Minnesota decreased 43 percent.
Strengths: Low rate of drug deaths; low percentage of children in poverty; low percentage of population without insurance.
Challenges: High prevalence of excessive drinking; high incidence of pertussis; low per capita public health funding.
