• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Jeff Bezos pledged $10 billion for climate change. With the 2030 clock ticking, his wife, Lauren Sánchez Bezos, is leading the charge to spend it

2

Anne Hathaway says she was spammed with ChatGPT-written thank you notes after hiring for a recent role: ‘Nobody on that list gets that job’

3

The affordability crisis is so bad that, for the first time ever, both mom and dad are working full-time in most American families

1

Jeff Bezos pledged $10 billion for climate change. With the 2030 clock ticking, his wife, Lauren Sánchez Bezos, is leading the charge to spend it

2

Anne Hathaway says she was spammed with ChatGPT-written thank you notes after hiring for a recent role: ‘Nobody on that list gets that job’

3

The affordability crisis is so bad that, for the first time ever, both mom and dad are working full-time in most American families
HealthPersonal Health, Fitness, and Wellness

Which U.S. state is the healthiest? The answer might surprise you—and one coast fares better than the other

By
Erin Prater
Erin Prater
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Erin Prater
Erin Prater
Down Arrow Button Icon
September 12, 2023, 7:30 AM ET
A runner jogs along a Mystic River Reservation footbridge at Sylvester Baxter Park in Somerville, Ma., on Aug. 3, 2020. Massachusetts is the healthiest state in the U.S.—or the one that offers the most significant opportunities for well-being, anyway, according to a new survey released Tuesday by the Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) and Sharecare, a digital health company.
A runner jogs along a Mystic River Reservation footbridge at Sylvester Baxter Park in Somerville, Ma., on Aug. 3, 2020. Massachusetts is the healthiest state in the U.S.—or the one that offers the most significant opportunities for well-being, anyway, according to a new survey released Tuesday by the Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) and Sharecare, a digital health company.Jessica Rinaldi—The Boston Globe/Getty Images
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Massachusetts is the healthiest state in the U.S.—or the one that offers the most significant opportunities for well-being, anyway.

Recommended Video

That’s according to a new survey released Tuesday by the Boston University School of Public Health (BUSPH) and Sharecare, a digital health company.

The duo used a proprietary process to assess the well-being of nearly a half million Americans surveyed from all 50 states in 2022 in a variety of domains, including physical, social, community, purpose, and financial. Researchers also assessed how each state ranked when it came to social determinants of health, like access to health care, food, resources, housing, and transportation, as well as economic security.

As a whole, the U.S. scored a 60.7 on a scale of 100—similar to scores it received before the pandemic. The national rating was nearly identical to the year prior’s: 60.9. Compared to the year before, physical health, social and community bonds, and sense of purpose in daily life all experienced statistically significant increases. 

But financial well-being saw a substantial decrease. The trend reveals “an undercurrent of economic insecurity possibly linked to inflation and ongoing economic uncertainty, reminiscent of pre-pandemic times,” Michael Winter, associate director of statistical programming at the Biostatistics & Epidemiology Data Analytics Center of BUSPH, said in a news release on the results.

“This year’s report highlights the importance of addressing all aspects of well-being, which extends beyond physical health to include financial stability and socioeconomic factors.”

For those who enjoy a friendly battle between coasts, the East Coast won this one, with five of its states making the list, compared to only two on the West Coast. The top 10 states, according to the list:

1. Massachusetts
2. Hawaii
3. New Jersey
4. Maryland
5. New York
6. California
7. Colorado
8. Washington
9. Connecticut
10. Utah

The short list of superlative states is nearly identical to 2021’s. The only difference: Connecticut, No. 8 in 2021, and Washington, No. 9 in 2021, swapped places in 2022.

In case you’re curious, these 10 states scored the lowest:

41. Indiana
42. Tennessee
43. Oklahoma
44. Louisiana
45. New Mexico
46. Alabama
47. Kentucky
48. West Virginia
49. Arkansas
50. Mississippi

The list of lowest-ranking states in 2022 is identical to 2021’s list. The same 10 states have been at the bottom of the list since 2020, though their positions have changed somewhat. 

Mississippi has held the bottom spot on the list for the past four years, according to the report. Contributing factors include bottom quintile scores in each category, and having the lowest scores nationwide when it comes to financial security, community, and food access.

What’s so special about Massachusetts?

Massachusetts has held the top spot on the list for the past three years due to high scores in both individual health measures and social determinants of health. It ranked in the top 10 in eight of 10 measured domains, including healthcare access (No. 1), housing and transportation (No. 2), purpose (No. 7), financial (No. 3), physical (No. 7), social (No. 9), community (No. 7), and food access (No. 8).

Perhaps not so ironically, Massachusetts—Cambridge, to be exact—was named Fortune’s No. 1 best place to live for families this year. Among factors contributing to the rank: the state’s excellent reputation in higher education, a high median household income, low crime rates, and quality public schools.

Another overlap: Maryland was ranked No. 4 on Sharecare’s list—and Silver Spring, Md., No. 3 on Fortune’s list, thanks to its proximity to the Washington, D.C., metro and the culture that accompanies it, above-average high school graduation rates, and good quality of living for seniors.

Other overlapping top 10 states include California and New York.

There were commonalities in both lists’ bottom 10 locations, too, with Indiana, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Alabama, Tennessee, Louisiana, and New Mexico appearing on both.

The Fortune 500 Innovation Forum will convene Fortune 500 executives, U.S. policy officials, top founders, and thought leaders to help define what’s next for the American economy, Nov. 16-17 in Detroit. Apply here.
About the Author
By Erin Prater
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon
Add Fortune on Google for similar content.

Latest in Health

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.


Latest in Health

The Best Folding Treadmills of 2026: Expert Tested
HealthDietary Supplements
The Best Folding Treadmills of 2026: Expert Tested
By Christina SnyderJune 19, 2026
1 day ago
The highest-paid hospital CEO made $43 million last year all while Americans hold $220 billion in medical debt
HealthCEO salaries and executive compensation
The highest-paid hospital CEO made $43 million last year all while Americans hold $220 billion in medical debt
By Cassie McGrath and Healthcare BrewJune 19, 2026
1 day ago
audrey
CommentaryInsurance
Aflac general counsel: Georgia lawmakers took a crucial step forward on sickle cell disease – but there’s more work to be done
By Audrey Boone TillmanJune 19, 2026
1 day ago
Arianna Huffington swears by one boundary to switch off from work every night—and Ralph Lauren’s CHRO says it’s the best thing she’s ever done too
SuccessDay in the Life of a CEO
Arianna Huffington swears by one boundary to switch off from work every night—and Ralph Lauren’s CHRO says it’s the best thing she’s ever done too
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJune 19, 2026
1 day ago
Half of U.S. adults under 50 get health information from influencers who mostly aren’t medical professionals, Pew finds
HealthSocial Media
Half of U.S. adults under 50 get health information from influencers who mostly aren’t medical professionals, Pew finds
By Mia OsmonbekovJune 18, 2026
2 days ago
The 4 Best Mini Massage Guns (2026): Approved by Fitness and Recovery Experts
HealthDietary Supplements
The 4 Best Mini Massage Guns (2026): Approved by Fitness and Recovery Experts
By Christina SnyderJune 18, 2026
2 days ago

Most Popular

Jeff Bezos pledged $10 billion for climate change. With the 2030 clock ticking, his wife, Lauren Sánchez Bezos, is leading the charge to spend it
Environment
Jeff Bezos pledged $10 billion for climate change. With the 2030 clock ticking, his wife, Lauren Sánchez Bezos, is leading the charge to spend it
By Sydney LakeJune 19, 2026
1 day ago
Anne Hathaway says she was spammed with ChatGPT-written thank you notes after hiring for a recent role: ‘Nobody on that list gets that job’
Success
Anne Hathaway says she was spammed with ChatGPT-written thank you notes after hiring for a recent role: ‘Nobody on that list gets that job’
By Orianna Rosa RoyleJune 18, 2026
2 days ago
The affordability crisis is so bad that, for the first time ever, both mom and dad are working full-time in most American families
Economy
The affordability crisis is so bad that, for the first time ever, both mom and dad are working full-time in most American families
By Jacqueline MunisJune 17, 2026
3 days ago
Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer publicly dismissed Chrome as a 'rounding error'—but Google’s CEO says he used the jab as fuel to win the browser-wars
Success
Microsoft boss Steve Ballmer publicly dismissed Chrome as a 'rounding error'—but Google’s CEO says he used the jab as fuel to win the browser-wars
By Preston ForeJune 17, 2026
3 days ago
Exclusive: Azzi Fudd joins Project B, the international league chasing a billion-dollar opportunity in global basketball
MPW
Exclusive: Azzi Fudd joins Project B, the international league chasing a billion-dollar opportunity in global basketball
By Emma HinchliffeJune 19, 2026
23 hours ago
The man who lived through the fall of the Soviet Union and helped wealthy Chinese move to Canada sees a familiar picture in America
Success
The man who lived through the fall of the Soviet Union and helped wealthy Chinese move to Canada sees a familiar picture in America
By Nick LichtenbergJune 17, 2026
3 days ago