Mississippi is statistically the most unhealthy state in the country

Mississippi is statistically the most unhealthy state in the country, and that’s not all.

Since as far back as 2012, Mississippi has competed with Louisiana to rank as the least healthy state in the country. “Healthy,” according to the World Health Organization, is defined as not only being free of disease, but also by being physically, mentally and socially well. According to research done by the Fiscal Times, there has been a significant decrease in smoking, preventable hospitalizations, and lack of insurance. However, there has also been an increase in obesity, heart related problems, and drug related deaths over the years.

As stated in The Commonwealth Fund, obesity plays a huge role in the overall decline of physical health in the U.S. “In 1985, no state had an obesity rate higher than 15 percent. In 2016, five states had rates over 35 percent.” The Commonwealth Fund also mentioned that obesity is even more serious than the deadly opioid epidemic. The five states listed are Arkansas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and West Virginia. As reported to State of Childhood Obesity, in 2020, Mississippi had an adult obesity rate of 39.7%. That’s more than 1 out of 3 adults in Mississippi. That number peaked in 2019 with 40.8 percent of adults struggling with obesity and is currently on a slight (but apparent) decline.

Low income is directly linked to poor health, mental illness, chronic disease, high infant mortality rates and lower life expectancy. In a study conducted by the U.S. Census Bureau in 2021, the following states were determined to have the highest rates of poverty: Mississippi, Louisiana, New Mexico, Kentucky, Arkansas, West Virginia, Alabama, South Carolina and Georgia. Interestingly enough, all five states with the worst health are coincidentally on that list. Mississippi consistently leads the way by being the most poor, the most unhealthy, the most obese and the state also has the worst hunger problem.

According to the Census Bureau, 19.6% of people in Mississippi are currently experiencing poverty. That’s nearly one out of five people living in this lush, southern state who are struggling to survive. There is clearly a connection. The good news is that the negative impact poverty has on the health of Mississippi natives has some long term solutions, though they may often seem out of reach. It would take the dedication and will power of Mississippi citizens as individuals to not only ask for what they want in terms of financial security and wellness, but also demand it.

Changing a poorly built system doesn’t happen overnight but with the right motivation, gradual moves can be made. This positive change does, however, require those who have not experienced poverty or lack of access to proper health care to speak out and stand up on behalf of the people who do. If enough voices are heard, an impact can be made that pushes society to evolve and adopt new formulas which aim to decrease poverty and teach Mississippi dwellers how to thrive mentally, physically and socially.

Simply increasing minimum wage may feel like a fix all answer, but before something like that can happen, people have to want a change and must also exemplify that desire for progress. Becoming health conscious, for instance, is just one choice that individuals can make regardless of income. That doesn’t eliminate the setbacks, but a forward-thinking mindset is a good start. The sort of products and foods which are being advertised (especially to children) are typically the most unhealthy dietary options as well as being the most affordable. This leads to mass consumption by the poor population of foods that wreak havoc on the human body. Deciding how to manage feeding a family while making healthy choices can be a challenge for someone living in poverty. Without the proper understanding or tools needed to eat well on a budget, people can get lost in the system without even realizing it.

Everything that comes to fruition must first begin with set intention. Restaurant owners can make efforts to offer more healthy dining options. Consumers can influence supply and demand if they stop spending money on products that destroy health. Communities can come together to adopt healthier habits such as organized hiking groups. Volunteers can share resources and knowledge which can help give families better tools for success in becoming healthy. Many things can take place to make changes that are needed. Sadly, those things will be in vain if individuals don’t form some level of unspoken solidarity within their cities geared towards one unified goal of improving overall health. As citizens come together to showcase and demand changes needed for Mississippi to get healthier, those with power to make more major changes will inevitably be forced to follow suit.

In order to improve the well being of Mississippi as a whole, changes will need to start one person at a time. From there, healthy goals can evolve through various platforms and eventually reach a larger range of people who have greater abilities to make a difference. Tangible solutions can be as simple as deciding what to fund with the money we spend every day. Every dollar is a vote that can be used to influence the tides and help Mississippi to change for the better. Just one person with a desire to change can begin a ripple effect that changes the world around them.