The annual America's Health RankingsTM-2008 Edition is published by the United Health Foundation and the American Public Health Association. This year's list was topped by Vermont, Hawaii, and New Hampshire. Mississippi jumped our state to occupy our old spot of 49th.

The report did give Louisiana positive marks for access to prenatal care, low prevalence of binge drinking, increased per capita spending on public health and relatively few poor mental health days. However obesity rates, the number of children in poverty, high uninsured rates, high incidence of infectious disease, and low high school graduation rates dealt a heavy blow. The praiseworthy 5% increase in access to primary care was grossly overshadowed by the 150 % increase in obesity in our state.