Vaccine Alliance: Wisconsin ranks 42nd for healthy living

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.

Wisconsin Study Results

Wisconsin is positioned among the ten least healthy states in the nation, with an index score of 46.18. While the state maintains a life expectancy of 65.16 years and spends $10,079 per capita on healthcare, its ranking is heavily weighed down by lifestyle and health risk factors. Based on Google Trends data, Wisconsin shows lower engagement with fitness than its neighbors, recording a gym search score of 65 and a healthy diet search score of 76. Environmental metrics show an Air Quality Index score of 39.5 and air pollution at 7.7 micrograms per cubic meter. The state’s primary health challenges are reflected in its alcohol statistics, with an ethanol consumption rate of 2.93 gallons per capita and an excessive adult drinking rate of 24.5%.

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.”