(Undated) - Indiana and Kentucky both rank in the bottom 10 of the latest America’s Health Rankings released Monday.

The annual report by the United Health Foundation put Indiana 41st in the nation in overall health. The Hoosier state moved in the wrong direction from the same report last year when it ranked 37th. In the report’s 23 years, this is the first time Indiana has fallen into the bottom fifth.

The report uses a number of factors including behavioral, statistical and environmental issues in ordering the states.

Indiana was 44th in adult smoking with 25.6 percent of Hoosiers lighting up. Obesity at an all-time state high of 30.8 percent in 2012 is about two percent higher than the national average. More than 10 percent of Hoosiers have been told by a doctor that they have diabetes.

Public health spending in Indiana was near the bottom at 47th. The state spends only about $44 per person on public health, compared to Hawaii where the $236 spent per person was tops in the nation.

Indiana did rank among the best in a few categories. The state ranked 19th in binge drinking and 14th in the percentage of the residents who lack health insurance.

In the same report, Kentucky was ranked even lower at 44th, the same spot the state held in 2011. Ohio ranked 35th, a slight improvement from 35th in last year’s report.

Vermont bragged the top ranking as the nation’s healthiest state for the sixth straight year. Mississippi and Louisiana tied for last.

 
The complete America’s Health Rankings report by the United Health Foundation can be read online at http://www.americashealthrankings.org.