As health and wellness gains national attention amid the MAHA movement, a new report highlights differences in how states influence health outcomes across the U.S.
A new state-by-state analysis of American well-being paints a revealing (and in some cases troubling) portrait of how geography shapes health outcomes in 2025 – findings that may add urgency to the Make America Health Again (MAHA) movement and influence public health priorities.
The national health ranking report released this week by wellness and IV hydration provider Drip Hydration evaluated all 50 states across nine key indicators, crowning Hawaii, Colorado and Vermont as the healthiest in the country. At the other end of the spectrum: West Virginia and Mississippi, which continue to struggle with persistent health challenges.
The study took into account both risk factors such as obesity rates, smoking, alcohol use and mental distress to weigh alongside protective factors like physical activity, a balanced diet, health insurance coverage and access to wellness infrastructure. Air quality was also factored into the equation.
Here are some highlights from the report:
Hawaii ranks as the healthiest state in the U.S. in 2025, buoyed by low obesity and mental distress rates, near-universal insurance coverage (97%) and a high density of wellness infrastructure. Notably, the state has the longest life expectancy, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Ranking third is Utah, which stands out for having the lowest alcohol and tobacco use nationwide. The state’s health landscape now includes FlowHaus, a new multi-sensory guided sauna and cold bath experience in Pleasant Grove.
Colorado, which placed fifth overall, reports the highest physical activity levels in the country, with 35% of adults exercising regularly—an edge that aligns with the lowest obesity rate in the continental U.S. Colorado is also home to Sway, a new Gen Z-founded social wellness club in Denver featuring Aescape, an AI-powered robotic massage system, deep tissue, CBD, salt stone and sports massages, specialized facials and a Remedy Room with Normatec Lymphatic Compression by Hyperice, a cold plunge, sauna and LED Light Therapy by LightStim.
At the opposite end of the spectrum, West Virginia ranks last in physical activity and highest in obesity. Missouri (44th), Alabama (46th), Mississippi (49th) and Oklahoma (48th) also fall near the bottom, with fewer than 5% of adults meeting expected dietary goals.
For its part, the fitness industry has been showing up in full force to help Americans secure a better chance at health, regardless of where they live.- Leaders recently gathered in Washington, D.C. in support of the PHIT Act, which has bipartisan support and would amend the tax code to allow Americans to spend pre-tax healthcare dollars from health savings accounts (HSA) and flexible spending accounts (FSA) on fitness-related purchases like gym memberships and workout equipment, as well as youth sports-related purchases.
In the meantime, platforms such as Truemed have emerged. The telehealth company – co-founded by Calley Means, brother of Surgeon General nominee Dr. Casey Means – makes it easier for Americans to use tax-free funds to pay for fitness, wellness and health-related products by issuing Letters of Medical Necessity.
The post America’s Healthiest States Revealed appeared first on Athletech News.
