Comments about ‘Utah ranked No. 2 healthiest state’

In spite of the ice cream, macaroni, red punch, and green jello! :-)

Maybe the Word of Wisdom should be ammended to include the elimination of junk foods, soda, TV, video games and the obvious over use of perscription drugs that didn't exist in 1833.

but that would also mean "being commanded in all things".

CTR

I'm as tired as the rest of calling the Word of Wisdom responsible for these statistics. There's a lot that goes into good preventative health. I do think Utahns are fairly good at exercising, no matter their religion. But take away the anti-smoke and anti-drink, and would anybody seriously imagine that we'd be anywhere near the top ten list? The fact is that the other factors of health, while crucial by themselves, are kind of small when compared with not poisoning oneself.

By the number of smoke shops and bars around, you'd think cigarettes and what-have-you were getting healthier all the time. Many non-LDS all over would be well served to take the "Word" out of Word of Wisdom, if that offends them, and learn a simple and decent respect for their bodies. Congratulations to that rare breed that already has.

To Steve. (See above post.) I am non-LDS. I do drink alcohol. And I do have "decent respect" for my body, which is, thank you very much, quite healthy. It is called "moderation," which the overwhelming majority of people who drink alcohol practice.

I respect your choice not to drink alcohol; I only ask you, in return, to respect other people's choice, freedom, and yes, constitutional right, to drink alcohol.

So what people are saying is that we are the Best of the Worst in America.

What category to be in would be the Best of the Best!

Mind you we in Utah qualify as a great pre-testing ground for new pharmaceutical drugs and vaccinations.

Positive Outlook: When the personalities of Utah's people was tested, it was found that they were generally less stressed and maintained a positive outlook on life. They had strong coping skills and a deep sense of spirituality, meaning and purpose. Positive outlook in the Utah people is thought to explain their reduced risk for dementia, and other stress related problems facing much of the United States. Not to say stress does not exist in Utah it is just people seam to always expect to overcome problems eventually.

Since we are healthier than average, that means we can afford to pay higher taxes for education.

FIRST, LET ME STATE THAT I AM AN LDS CONVERT OF ABOUT 12 YEARS. I AGREE WITH THE ABOVE COMMENT THAT "WISDOM" SHOULD PREVAIL WITH ANYONE'S HABITS. I HAVE SEEN MANY, MANY MORMONS WHO DO NOT TAKE CARE OF THEMSELVES....SUGAR SEEMS TO BE THE NEW ADDICTION IN PLACE OF COFFEE AND TOBACCO. AND IN ARIZONA (MOST OF WHICH NEVER SUFFERS FROM COLD I.E. EAT MEAT ONLY IN TIMES OF COLD OR FAMINE) I SEE A LOT OF MEAT-EATING AT ALL TIMES OF THE YEAR! AND A LOT OF PRESCRIPTION DRUG USE.

Regardless of those insights, Utah still placed 2nd. Maybe the coffee and sugar is to help get people out running and biking, and the painkiller abuse is for their tired muscles after they finish the workout. Some eat meat to keep up their killer instinct for competition. Hey, whatever works.

I grew up in Vermont and recently visited the State. I see a state that is financially poor with a population that smokes and drinks alchohol at a high rate. I don't have actual statistics, this is just casual observation. Vermont reportedly spends $150 per person for health care compared to Utah's $60. Utah is noted for a low rate of tobacco and alchohol consumption. Vermont is ranked higher in terms of health. It appears that some bias is present in the determinations. I also note that Vermont is about a tenth the size of Utah geographically and that ranking depended in part on health care distribution and availability for citizens. Distribution is simpler in the smaller state where population is less scattered. I think Utah should be comeneded but I am not so sure Vermont should be content with their inflated ranking.

The study is flawed because it makes the assumption that tax money spent on doctors equals health. The true measure of health should be based on incidents of disease and life span. Use those figures and we would be number one. The blessings of living the gospel are real.

To promote understanding about the LDS Word of Wisdom.....While Steve and many others drink moderately and maintain their health, there are also many who don't - who become addicts or engage in other destructive behavior. One of the significant drivers behind the word of wisdom is that, if the community does not smoke or drink, then the temptation isn't there for those who CAN'T handle it in moderation. The temptation toward destructive behavior is greatly reduced if drinking is not part of every day life. This is just common sense. Now, are we compromising someone's freedom to choose? Heavens NO! That would be even worse. This is a code, a recommendation. It is true that if a Mormon wants to attend the temple, they must obey the code, but no one forces them to attend the temple, and no on forces them to live by the code - that is THEIR choice. Like LDS Thinker, I am a convert of 12 years, and my life has been tremendously better since I've followed the code. Steve - I wish you happiness and health.

Utah. # 2 in healthiest state and yet we have 49,000 tons of depleted uranium and no air polution laws that are effective. For an example, just look to the mountians from downtown, if you can see them.

I'm glad Utah encourages working out. However, if your state glows in the dark you might want to re-consider what exactly makes a person healthy.

Since this report shows Utahns take better care of their health and spend only $60 per person, why don't we tell the federal government to get lost and leave us alone on this healthcare debate.

Obvioulsy, if we are forced to pay higher taxes and receive poorer care if nationalized healthcare becomes reality, we are essentially subsidizing the general populace of a country that refuses to take any personal accountability for their own health, eating, smoking, and drinking habits.

In other words, if many haven't figured it out by now, the biggest reason healthcare cost are spiraling out of control in this country isn't becasue of insurance companies. It is because the obesity rate has sky rocketed and most Americans dont' want to take on the responsibility of changing their lifestyles and taking command of their own health.

Nationalized medicine won't fix this problem, it will only compound it (why should I take care of myself when I can get free drugs and healthcare on someone elses dime?). As a result, healthcare costs will continue to spiral out of control and all taxpayers will be on the hook, regardless of their health and fitness level.

It's funny how anything negative about Utah always gets blamed on the Mormons by the liberals, yet when there is something good about Utah...... Somehow the liberals still complain about it, as evidenced by some of these posts

I read that and I had to chuckle to myself....

Isn't Vermont the most liberal state in the country?

While #2 is nothing to be ashamed, I find humor in the fact that after all the bragging and boasting and PRIDE about having the strictest smoking and drinking laws in the entire country [taking away Freedom and Free Agency] Utah lost out to the MOST liberal state of all.

Maybe there something to be gleaned from true liberalism.

This good thing couldn't possibly be attributable to the Mormons, could it left wing crazies?

Anything negative about Utah is 100% the Mormons or George Bush's fault, and anything positive is.......probably somehow from that new guy in the white house huh?

"We have to assume some of these improvements are due both to public health practices and state policies,"...YEAH AND TAKE A WILD GUESS WHO IS BEHIND THESE???

Did they also factor in the fact Utah has the LOWEST average aged citizenship?

Younger populations are naturally healthier populations.

Numbers can be deceiving.