NEW report ranks MD #8 healthiest state — records low smoking + alcohol use

The United Health Foundation just released its America's Health Rankings 2025 Annual Report, which identifies and measures the drivers and outcomes that impact state and national population health.

This year, Maryland was ranked the #8 overall healthiest state, its highest ranking in America's Health Rankings history. A few notable improvements and factors:

• Firearm deaths are down 21%
• More adults (+18%) are screening for colorectal cancer
• Ranked #1 in climate policies, 5th healthiest physical environment
• Ranked #1 in lowest e-cigarette use and #3 in lowest smoking rates among adults
• Ranked #4 in lowest prevalence of excessive drinking

The data is not all positive for Maryland. Challenge areas include:

• High homicide rate (10th highest in the U.S.)
• High incidence of chlamydia (8th highest in the U.S.)
• High prevalence of insufficient sleep (12th highest in the U.S.)

Nationwide, drug deaths decreased for the first time since 2018, and in a significant reversal from pandemic-related increases, premature death fell by 8%.

To learn more about Maryland’s findings and other nationwide stats, you can access the full report here.