It appears that Hurricane Francine isn’t the only storm to face Louisiana as a new study ranks the Pelican State as one of the unhealthiest in the nation.
As home to such classic Louisiana dishes as po’boys, beignets, muffuletta and bananas Foster, a new study by Wagner Reese rated Louisiana as the second most unhealthy state in the United States, coming in right after Mississippi, which took the top spot.
The study analyzed data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the American Lung Association to assess five factors — diabetes rates, smoking rates, obesity rates, food insecurity and air quality.
Louisiana ranked among the top-five worst states for four out of the five factors, leading researchers to note that the findings “highlight a pressing need for targeted public health interventions in Louisiana to address these critical issues.”
Air quality in Louisiana
States with poorer air quality show significantly higher rates of respiratory illnesses, including asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
Louisiana was found to have an air quality index of 44, the fifth highest of all states. For comparison, Alaska has an air quality index of 16 and Hawaii (which was selected as the healthiest state in the nation) has an air quality index of 20.
Concerning health findings for Louisiana residents
Louisiana ranked fourth worst in the nation for diabetes rates, third worst for food insecurity and fourth worst for obesity.
“The prevalence of obesity in Louisiana further compounds these issues, creating a vicious cycle of health problems that strain the healthcare system and diminish the quality of life for many residents,” the study’s researchers said. “Obesity is a significant risk factor for numerous chronic conditions, including heart disease, stroke and certain cancers, in addition to diabetes.”
According to Louisiana’s Department of Health, nearly one out of four adults in the state is considered obese, and in 2022, Louisiana was one of three states, along with Oklahoma and West Virginia, that had an obesity rate of 40% in adults.
“The convergence of these factors in Louisiana underscores the need for comprehensive public health strategies that address food access, nutritional education and opportunities for physical activity,” researchers said. “Without targeted interventions, these health disparities are likely to persist, perpetuating a cycle of poor health outcomes and economic hardship for the state’s most vulnerable populations.”
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Publish date : 2024-09-12 08:08:00
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