Another No. 1: New Hampshire Tops National Health Rankings

By Michael Graham, NH Journal

Forget John Stark. It may be time for the Granite State to adopt the motto of Mr. Spock: “Live Long and Prosper.”

New Hampshire has officially claimed the top spot as the healthiest state in the country, according to the United Health Foundation’s 2025 Annual Report. The comprehensive study, which analyzes 99 distinct measures of wellbeing, places the Granite State at Number One, leading a strong New England showing that included Massachusetts, Vermont, and Connecticut in the top five.

The report highlights several key areas where New Hampshire and the nation are making strides. Locally, the state benefited from a 10 percent decrease in physical inactivity and a four percent drop in cigarette smoking.

Nationally, the foundation noted a significant 15 percent increase in cancer screenings and the first improvement in drug-related death rates since 2018.

Beyond clinical metrics, the report suggests New Hampshire residents are more engaged with their communities. Volunteerism surged by 22 percent between 2021 and 2022, reflecting a social cohesion that experts link to better long-term mental health outcomes. This civic spirit is complemented by a five percent increase in mental health providers over the last year, helping the state address the rising demand for behavioral health services.

While the report noted challenges—including a 16 percent rise in homelessness and an eight percent increase in individuals avoiding care due to cost—New Hampshire’s overall infrastructure for health and safety remains the gold standard for the United States.

“New Hampshire is the healthiest state in the nation because our quality of life is unlike anywhere else,” said Gov Kelly Ayotte. “I’m proud we’ve received yet another Number One ranking and that we continue to lead the country when it comes to health and wellbeing. It’s a testament to our dedicated health care workers, our efforts to strengthen mental health, unmatched opportunities to enjoy the outdoors, and our commitment to protecting our most vulnerable citizens.”

This latest Number One ranking is not an isolated achievement. It serves as the final piece of a puzzle that consistently ranks New Hampshire as the top destination for quality of life in 2026.

Best for Families: Just months ago, New Hampshire was named the best state to raise a family, thanks to the nation’s highest childhood wellbeing.

The Safest State: The state boasts the nation’s lowest violent crime rates, and drug overdose rates are plunging.

Economic Freedom: For the 24th time, New Hampshire has been ranked Number One for economic freedom, attracting residents with its lack of sales or income tax and business-friendly environment.

By combining the highest levels of personal freedom with the lowest levels of crime and now the top health ranking, the Granite State continues to prove that its “Live Free or Die” motto is synonymous with living well.

This story was originally published by the NH Journal, an online news publication dedicated to providing fair, unbiased reporting on, and analysis of, political news of interest to New Hampshire. For more stories from the NH Journal, visit NHJournal.com.