14. Missouri
Missouri fell one spot this year, to 37th place. Excessive drinking in the state increased 10 percent over the past year, and obesity grew 7 percent. The rate of diabetes also grew 20 percent.
Strengths: High percentage of high school graduation; low percentage of children in poverty; small disparity in health status by educational attainment.
Challenges: High prevalence of smoking; lower number of dentists; high prevalence of frequent physical distress.
