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Nebraska moves up in national health rankings
United Health released its national health rankings Tuesday and Nebraska moved up the list. Last year ranked 18th in the nation for healthy living, this year, the Cornhusker state came in at 15th.
The Foundation credits Nebraska's high immunization coverage, high school graduation rate, and few poor mental and physical health days per month for the ranking. But said Nebraska also has its share of challenges. Once again binge drinking made the list, also the incidence of infectious disease, and the occupational fatality rate. Medical director of United Healthcare of Nebraska Dr. Dan Clute said while the improved ranking is reason to celebrate, the state has a long way to go to reverse the direction of many health trends. Because when it comes to obesity in the state, the study found 390,000 Nebraskans are over-tipping the scale. And 116,000 have diabetes. The Foundation says the state needs more programs to promote healthy lifestyles like the wellness-based insurance plan for employees and spouses called "wellness options." Launched by Governor Dave Heineman its in its 4th year and has 8,000 participants from 360 businesses statewide. Nebraska was the first state in the nation to implement the plan. Again, Nebraska ranked 15th in the nation for overall health when compared with the rest of the country. Vermont came in at number 1. Louisiana and Mississippi tied for the least healthy states. |
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