BATON ROUGE — Louisiana ranked last in the country for overall health in the United Health Foundation’s America’s Health Rankings 2025 Annual Report. The annual report, released January 8, 2026, is a nationwide analysis that compares all 50 states.
The report ranks states based on how people live, work, and access care, and how those factors translate into real health outcomes. The report is the longest-running annual assessment of health in the U.S.
According to the report, Louisiana’s bottom ranking reflects ongoing struggles across several major categories, including economic conditions, health behaviors, and long-term outcomes like chronic disease and premature death.
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Where Louisiana ranks worst
A closer look at the data shows just how uneven Louisiana’s health profile is. The state ranks near the bottom nationally in several measures tied to violence, sexual health, and risky behaviors.
Louisiana ranks 49th in firearm deaths and homicide deaths, placing it among the most dangerous states in the country when it comes to gun violence. Public health experts note that these measures heavily influence overall health rankings because of their impact on life expectancy and premature death.
The state also struggles with sexual and reproductive health outcomes. Louisiana ranks 50th in chlamydia cases, 48th in high-risk HIV behaviors, and 48th in teen births.
Health behaviors continue to weigh down the state’s standing as well. Louisiana ranks 42nd in e-cigarette use and 46th in smoking and tobacco use, both of which contribute to higher rates of chronic disease over time.
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Where Louisiana ranks best
Despite those challenges, the report shows Louisiana performs relatively well in a few key areas.
The state ranks 2nd in homelessness, reflecting one of the lowest rates in the country. Analysts point to housing stability and support programs as contributing factors, particularly compared to other Southern states.
Louisiana also ranks 12th in cancer screenings, an area where access to preventive care outperforms many peer states. Public health officials say higher screening rates can help catch cancers earlier, improving treatment outcomes even when overall health indicators remain poor.
The state also ranks high when evaluating reading levels.
MORE: Louisiana sees modest growth in 2025 LEAP scores
Which measures matter most
Not all measures in the America’s Health Rankings carry the same weight. Indicators tied directly to health outcomes, especially premature death and chronic disease, have the greatest impact on a state’s overall ranking.
Louisiana consistently performs poorly in these categories. Social and economic factors, such as income, education, and employment stability, remain a major weakness. Health behaviors, including high rates of smoking, obesity, and physical inactivity, also weigh heavily on the state’s ranking.
The state did perform better in some measures, but those carry less influence in the overall score.
National context: Top and bottom states
While Louisiana finished last, the America’s Health Rankings 2025 Annual Report also highlights the healthiest states in the nation.
The states with the best overall health profiles in 2025 were:
- New Hampshire
- Massachusetts
- Vermont
- Connecticut
- Utah
These states generally showed strong performance across social and economic conditions, behaviors and clinical care, contributing to higher life expectancy and better overall health outcomes.
Behind Louisiana, several states also clustered near the bottom of the rankings, including:
- Arkansas
- Mississippi
- Alabama
- West Virginia
The rankings are based on 99 measures from 31 data sources, and the analysis uses the most recently available data as of Oct. 17, 2025, with some data (such as from the National Survey of Children’s Health) released later, on Dec. 2, 2025.
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