View All Healthy State Rankings
- District of Columbia
Call them the bookworm geographies, D.C. and Alaska are well-read, ranking top in the nation when it comes to reading for personal interest which helps keep the brain healthy.
- Maryland
Maryland residents keep their brains healthy by eating healthily. This state is one of the three top-ranked states when it comes to consumption of DHA omega-3 fortified foods and supplements.
- Washington State
Keep up the good brain health habits, Washington! Washington is tied for 1st place along with the Northern New England states for eating the most fish rich in DHA per capita. Its residents also rank high for consuming DHA-fortified foods and supplements.
- Vermont
A pat on the back for Vermont residents for using their brain power to do some good deeds. Vermont is tied with Montana for being the highest-ranking states in the area of community involvement including volunteerism.
- Connecticut
Connecticut gets an A in education. Making quality education a priority gives this state a brain boost.
- Colorado
Coloradans are paying attention to their brain health. Colorado is the highest-ranking noncoastal state to consume fish rich in DHA.
- Massachusetts
Highly insured: Massachusetts is tied with Hawaii for being No. 1 in the nation when it comes to health insurance coverage.
- New Jersey
New Jersey has the secret to better mental health. It has one of the lowest rates of serious psychological distress in the nation.
- Maine
Never bet a native Maine resident in a game of cards. The state ranks among the top two states that boost brain health through game playing.
- New Hampshire
New Hampshire is one of three states with the lowest involvement in religious/spiritual activities.
- Georgia
Way to go, Georgia, for feeding your brain! Georgia shares the top spot in the nation with Maryland and D.C. for consuming the most DHA-fortified foods and supplements per capita.
- Florida
Floridians have the opportunity to increase their prevention measures for Alzheimer’s disease. The state is one of four states in the nation with the highest prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease.
- Oregon
Have you been reading health books? Oregonians are active readers, and they are maintaining good brain health by consuming fish rich in DHA.
- Pennsylvania
While Pennsylvania has a high prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease, it has a low incidence of fatalities related to the disease.
- Utah
While Utah residents keep their brains active through religious/spiritual activities, they should be eating more of the state fish – the rainbow trout. Rainbow trout is high in DHA omega-3, and Utah ranks low in fish consumption.
- Alaska
Great job in keeping Alzheimer’s at bay and in stimulating your mind through reading, Alaska! You’re tied with Nevada for having the lowest Alzheimer’s disease prevalence and tied with District of Columbia in spending the most time reading for personal interest.
- New York
New Yorkers take care of their brains through consuming fish rich in DHA, but they could improve in the area of community involvement including volunteerism.
- Hawaii
Eating your fruits and veggies is keeping your hearts and your brains in good shape, Hawaii! Hawaii ranks high in consuming five or more fruits and vegetables daily. It is also one of the top two states with the lowest rate of cardiovascular disease-related deaths.
- Montana
Crossword Puzzle: M _ _tana is tied for last place with Maryland and Hawaii in time spent playing games like crossword puzzles and Sudoku. However, its low prevalence of diabetes/gestational diabetes suggests that its residents are doing other things that benefit brain health.
- California
Californians enjoy farmers’ markets. It ranks third in the nation, just behind Vermont and D.C., in terms of the rate of consumption of five or more fruits and vegetables per day.
- Arizona
While Arizona has a high breastfeeding rate, it has the lowest ranked education system in the nation.
- Wyoming
Wyoming ranks among the top six states in which residents are most involved with their communities.
- Nevada
You need to stop gambling with your brain health and pick up a book! Nevada ranks among the lowest in the nation for education and reading for personal interest.
- Idaho
Potatoes are great, but how about eating more brain food? Idaho has one of the lowest rates of consumption of DHA-fortified foods and supplements nationwide.
- Rhode Island
It makes sense that Rhode Island has high consumption of fish rich in DHA since it’s known as the Ocean State. Rhode Island needs to do more for brain health, though, since it has the 7th highest prevalence of Alzheimer’s disease in the nation.
- Texas
Check out your local library and pick up a book, Texans! Texas ranks last when it comes to reading for personal interest.
- Virginia
Virginians are heightening their brain health through education. The state is among the top six states in the nation with the strongest educational programs.
- Minnesota
The Land of 10,000 Lakes is the most physically active state and has the lowest incidence of cardiovascular disease-related deaths in the nation.
- Illinois
The Land of Lincoln is among the top six states in the nation with the lowest prevalence of serious psychological distress.
- Michigan
Michigan is in the game. Residents keep their brains active through frequent game playing.
- Kansas
Kansas has one of the highest prevalence rates of serious psychological distress, but the state ranks the best in receiving the social and emotional support they need.
- North Carolina
North Carolina residents are taking care of their brains through religious/spiritual activities. The state ranks among the top 9 states in the nation for participation in religious/spiritual activities.
- Delaware
Delaware is among the bottom five states in the nation with the lowest involvement in religious/spiritual activities.
- Ohio
While Ohio boosts its brain with DHA-fortified foods and supplements, the state’s consumption of fish rich in DHA is low.
- Missouri
Show me the games. Missouri residents keep their brains active through frequent game playing.
- Wisconsin
America’s Dairyland is among the top five states in the nation with the lowest prevalence of diabetes/gestational diabetes.
- New Mexico
New Mexico ranks third lowest in consumption of DHA omega-3 from fortified foods and supplements and third lowest in reading for personal interest.
- South Dakota
Great job showing up for work, South Dakota! South Dakota residents don’t lose much work time due to poor mental health days.
- Nebraska
Great job showing up for work, Nebraska! Nebraskans don’t lose much work time due to poor mental health days. They rank low, however, on both game playing and consumption of DHA-fortified foods and supplements.
- West Virginia
West Virginians are missing more work due to poor mental health than any other state nationwide. The state’s residents also have the second to lowest sleeping rate and a high smoking rate.
- Iowa
Even though it’s known as the Food Capital of the World, Iowa residents aren’t eating enough fruits and vegetables or DHA-rich foods.
- North Dakota
Take a nap! North Dakota residents receive the least amount of sleep nationwide.
- South Carolina
Visit your produce aisle! South Carolina is among the five states with the lowest rate of consumption of five or more fruits and vegetables daily.
- Indiana
Indiana ranks among the bottom five states in the nation with the lowest consumption of DHA from fish.
- Arkansas
Behind Maine and Vermont, Arkansas ranks third in the nation when it comes to frequent game playing.
- Kentucky
Kentucky has the highest smoking rate and the highest rate of being overweight/obese.
- Tennessee
Tennessee has the highest rate of diabetes/gestational diabetes in the nation, as well as the highest incidence of Alzheimer’s disease-related deaths.
- Mississippi
Dreaming of exercise doesn’t count! Mississippians are tied with D.C. residents for getting the most sleep nationwide, but they also rank the lowest in physical activity and have the highest number of cardiovascular disease-related deaths per capita in the country.
- Oklahoma
Oklahomans need to feed their brains more DHA omega-3s. Oklahoma is second-to-last nationwide for consumption of DHA-fortified foods and supplements
- Alabama
Are you allergic to fish? Alabama is the second-lowest ranking state in the nation when it comes to consumption of fish rich in DHA.
- Louisiana
Louisiana has the lowest breastfeeding rate nationwide. Breastfeeding naturally provides DHA, important for brain development of infants, setting them on the right path for brain health.