America's Health Rankings, United Health Foundation Logo
Data on 23 measures were obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System (BRFSS). CDC’s National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s National Survey on Drug Use and Health (NSDUH) were the source of two and six measures, respectively. Unless otherwise indicated, data were obtained from 2011-2016.

Behaviors

Percentage of respondents who reported either binge drinking (having five or more [men] or four or more [women] drinks on one occasion) or heavy drinking (having more than two drinks [men] or more than one drink [women] per day)
BRFSS

Percentage who reported sleeping less than seven hours in a 24-hour period, on average
BRFSS (2014, 2016)

Percentage with a body mass index of 30.0 or higher based on reported weight and height
BRFSS

Percentage who reported doing no physical activity or exercise other than their regular job in the past 30 days
BRFSS

Percentage who are smokers (reported smoking at least 100 cigarettes in their lifetime and currently smoke every or some days)
BRFSS

Percentage who use smokeless tobacco (currently use chewing tobacco, snuff, or snus every day or some days)
BRFSS

Percentage who used heroin or misused prescription pain relievers in the past year. Misuse of prescription pain relievers is defined as use in any way not directed by a doctor, including use without a prescription of one's own medication, use in greater amounts, more often, or longer than told to take a drug, or use in any other way not directed by a doctor
NSDUH (2015-2016)

Policy

Percentage who have health insurance privately, through their employer, or through the government
BRFSS

Community & Environment

Percentage who are in the workforce and are either employed for wages or self-employed
BRFSS

Percentage who faced the threat of hunger in the past 30 days
NHIS

Clinical Care

Percentage of respondents aged 50 to 75 years who reported receiving recommended colorectal cancer screening using high-sensitivity fecal occult blood testing, sigmoidoscopy, or colonoscopy
BRFSS (2012, 2014, 2016)

Percentage who reported having one or more people they think of as their personal doctor or healthcare provider
BRFSS

Percentage who reported there was a time in the past 12 months when they needed to see a doctor but could not because of cost
BRFSS

Percentage who reported visiting the dentist or dental clinic within the past year for any reason
BRFSS (2012, 2014, 2016)

Percentage who reported receiving a flu vaccine in the last year
BRFSS

Percentage with any mental illness who received any mental health treatment in the past 12 months, including inpatient care (such as hospital or residential treatment), outpatient care (such as therapy from a clinician [e.g., doctor, psychologist, counselor, social worker], outpatient clinic, partial-day hospital stay, or day treatment program) or taking any prescription medications prescribed to treat a mental or emotional condition. Treatment for alcohol or drug use is not included.
NSDUH

Health Outcomes

Percentage who reported ever being told by a health professional that they have an anxiety disorder
NSDUH (2011-2014)

Percentage having serious, moderate, or mild mental illness in the past year
NSDUH

Percentage who reported being told by a health professional that they have some form of arthritis
BRFSS

Percentage who reported being told by a health professional that they have skin cancer or some other form of cancer
BRFSS

Percentage who reported being told by a health professional that they had angina or coronary heart disease, heart attack, or stroke
BRFSS

Percentage who reported being told by a health professional that they have Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD
BRFSS

Percentage who reported ever being told by a health professional that they have a depressive disorder including depression, major depression, minor depression, or dysthymia
BRFSS

Percentage who reported being told by a health professional that they have diabetes (excludes pre-diabetes and gestational diabetes)
BRFSS

Percentage who self-reported 14 or more days in the past 30 days when their mental health was not good
BRFSS

Percentage who reported being limited in any way in any activities because of physical, mental, or emotional problems or have any health problem that requires them to use special equipment such as a cane, wheelchair, a special bed, or a special telephone
BRFSS

Percentage who reported that their health is very good or excellent
BRFSS

Percentage who reported having neck pain or lower back pain in the past three months
NHIS (2016)

Percentage who reported seriously thinking about trying to kill themselves in the past 12 months
NSDUH

Percentage with suicidal thoughts who tried to kill themselves in the past 12 months
NSDUH

Percentage who have had six or more permanent teeth extracted due to tooth decay or gum disease
BRFSS (2012, 2014, 2016)