Due to a combination of smoking rates, regional climates and air pollution, the health of Americans’ lungs varies immensely from state to state, according to a new report.
A new study by Opera Beds, a specialist in clinically oriented mattresses and pressure-care systems, ranked the worst states for lung health in the U.S., drawing on data from the American Lung Association, the EPA and additional sources.
Why It Matters
Lung health in the U.S. is a significant public health concern, with millions suffering from chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD), thousands dying each year from respiratory illnesses and similar numbers being lost to lung cancer.
Millions of dollars have been devoted to researching the causes and consequences of lung health issues in the U.S., and the disparity in the health levels across the country highlights how factors such as smoking rates and air quality contributes to these outcomes.
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What To Know
Opera Beds issued their rankings based on smoking rates, the coverage of anti-smoking policies and air pollution—measured in micrograms of pollutants per cubic meter (µg/m³)—while also factoring in things such as temperature and humidity in each state. The resulting “lung health” scores are shown below on the map created by Newsweek, alongside the rankings of the ten worst states for lung health.
With a score of 4.04 out of ten, Indiana ranked as the worst in the country for lung health in the study. The state has an adult smoking rate of 16.2 percent, compared to the national average of around 11 percent. Opera Beds also found that only 31.5 percent of the population is covered by smokefree indoor air policies which prohibit smoking in bars, restaurants and workplaces.
Indiana was followed by Ohio and Alaska, with respective scores of 4.72 and 4.79. The rest of the top 10 featured Pennsylvania, Michigan, Nevada, Tennessee, Louisiana, Mississippi and Kentucky.
On the other end of the list, Colorado and Hawaii were found to be the states with the best lung health, each earning a score of 9.11 out of ten. Both states benefit from lower smoking rates and enjoy reduced levels of air pollution. Overall, the top ten states largely outperform the bottom ten across these factors, though California stands out as an exception, as it maintains high overall score despite elevated air pollution levels relative to other states.
What People Are Saying
Opera Beds wrote in its report: “According to our data, the West Coast is the best place to live in the U.S. in terms of lung health. Six of the top 10 states are located on the western side of the country, with Colorado, Hawaii, and New Mexico making up the top three. This suggests that those on the West Coast may be less likely to develop respiratory conditions like COPD, due to better air quality, humidity levels, and average temperatures. It may also be a viable option for those relocating to another state to improve their lung health.”
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