Though health and fitness are major concerns for everyone, these factors are especially important for America's older population. America's Health Rankings (AHR) 2026 Senior Report shows some good news for older adults: The early death rate fell for the third consecutive year, dropping 2% between 2023 and 2024. Physical inactivity also declined, falling 16% over the same period.
Nationwide, there have been demonstrable shifts in several key factors relative to overall health and quality of life for older adults. States with high poverty rates tend to rank poorly, and the eating and physical activity habits of older adults living in them tend to be less healthy. Drug-related deaths, for example, rose 38% between 2019-2021 and 2022-2024, while food insecurity rose 6% between 2022 and 2023.
And yet, the number of geriatric clinicians reached a new high in 2025, and the home health care workforce grew 5% between 2023 and 2024. This suggests that despite the concerning increases in certain deleterious factors, the lives of older people, in some parts of the United States, are improving.
While a number of factors are constantly evolving, there is plenty we can learn about the current situation for older Americans by looking at recent data. To determine which states are the most and least healthy for senior populations, Stacker consulted the AHR's 2026 Senior Report, released in May 2026. In it, public health researchers analyzed metrics of senior health for every state, ranging from nursing home quality to preventable hospitalizations.
The metrics are split into five categories: social and economic factors, physical environment, clinical care, behaviors, and health outcomes. Overall scores are relative to the U.S. average; scores above zero are better than average, and scores below zero are worse. Trend data for each state comes from its AHR state summary.
Stacker included each state's overall score and its rank in all five categories in this story. Montana and Alaska tied for 31st. Read on to see where your state stacks up against the national average.
#50. Louisiana
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): -1.029
- Social and economic rank: #48
- Physical environment rank: #45
- Clinical care rank: #49
- Behaviors rank: #47
- Health outcomes rank: #48
For Louisiana's seniors, there is a high risk of social isolation. Drug-related deaths rose 47% between 2019-2021 and 2022-2024. Even though SNAP reach among older adults in poverty grew 40% between 2019 and 2023, the state ranks very low in critical features such as clinical care, social and economic factors, and health outcomes.
#49. Mississippi
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): -0.970
- Social and economic rank: #50
- Physical environment rank: #11
- Clinical care rank: #48
- Behaviors rank: #46
- Health outcomes rank: #42
Mississippi faces serious challenges, with many of its seniors living in poverty. There is a concerning lack of access to proper geriatric health care and preventive clinical services, and the state ranks 48th in clinical care. Poor nutrition and physical inactivity are widespread, and Mississippi has the highest early death rate in the nation.
#48. Kentucky
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): -0.927
- Social and economic rank: #47
- Physical environment rank: #18
- Clinical care rank: #38
- Behaviors rank: #49
- Health outcomes rank: #50
Food insecurity among Kentucky residents aged 60 and over increased 56% from 2022 to 2023, even though alcohol consumption remains low. The biggest challenge is a high early death rate, and the state ranks last in the nation for health outcomes.
#47. Arkansas
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): -0.868
- Social and economic rank: #49
- Physical environment rank: #43
- Clinical care rank: #29
- Behaviors rank: #44
- Health outcomes rank: #49
Not many seniors in Arkansas drink to excess, but they tend to be sedentary and have a high early death rate. Home health care workers rose by 13% from 2023 to 2024; however, the suicide frequency among people 65 and over is above the national average.
#46. West Virginia
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): -0.850
- Social and economic rank: #44
- Physical environment rank: #16
- Clinical care rank: #45
- Behaviors rank: #50
- Health outcomes rank: #47
Among seniors, West Virginia ranks poorly in several crucial categories: obesity, physical distress, multiple chronic conditions, and preventable hospitalizations. On the bright side, it's the state with the lowest rate of severe housing problems and the lowest housing cost burden for older adults, and nursing home quality improved 45% between fall 2024 and fall 2025.
#45. Oklahoma
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): -0.834
- Social and economic rank: #46
- Physical environment rank: #36
- Clinical care rank: #43
- Behaviors rank: #48
- Health outcomes rank: #44
Poverty among seniors in Oklahoma rose 37% between 2018 and 2024, and clinical care is meager; however, the share of seniors reporting very good or excellent health grew 18% between 2015 and 2024. There is a high early death rate, and the suicide rate among older adults is also high.
#44. Alabama
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): -0.670
- Social and economic rank: #43
- Physical environment rank: #14
- Clinical care rank: #41
- Behaviors rank: #45
- Health outcomes rank: #46
Food insecurity has dropped in the state (down 12% between 2022 and 2023), but the early death rate remains high. Few seniors in Alabama drink excessively, but they also tend to be physically inactive, and don't get enough sleep.
#43. Tennessee
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): -0.509
- Social and economic rank: #39
- Physical environment rank: #9
- Clinical care rank: #40
- Behaviors rank: #42
- Health outcomes rank: #45
Tennessee has a low prevalence of low-care nursing home residents, though its early death rate is high. Nursing home quality rose 33% between fall 2024 and fall 2025, but drug-related deaths have also increased 40% between 2019-2021 and 2022-2024.
Editor's note: Some survey-based measures, such as excessive drinking and physical inactivity, are unavailable for Tennessee in this year's report because the state did not collect enough data to be included in the CDC's 2024 Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System.
BlaineT // Shutterstock
9 / 50#42. New Mexico
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): -0.444
- Social and economic rank: #45
- Physical environment rank: #17
- Clinical care rank: #39
- Behaviors rank: #39
- Health outcomes rank: #25
A high percentage of New Mexican seniors are poor, and the state has a high prevalence of food insecurity. Drug-related deaths rose 39% between 2019-2021 and 2022-2024, and the suicide rate is high. Even so, the prevalence of multiple chronic conditions remains low, and flu vaccination increased 21% between 2018 and 2024.
#41. Missouri
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): -0.394
- Social and economic rank: #40
- Physical environment rank: #15
- Clinical care rank: #25
- Behaviors rank: #43
- Health outcomes rank: #41
The number of geriatric providers in Missouri increased 55% between September 2019 and September 2025. However, the early death rate remains high, as does the share of low-care nursing home residents. Suicides rose 21% between 2019-2021 and 2022-2024, and senior Missourians tend to be physically inactive.
#40. Nevada
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): -0.331
- Social and economic rank: #35
- Physical environment rank: #49
- Clinical care rank: #46
- Behaviors rank: #37
- Health outcomes rank: #32
Behavioral health is the biggest challenge that Nevada seniors face. The state has one of the highest suicide rates among adults 65 and over, and drug-related deaths are also high. Flu vaccination remains low, but the number of geriatric providers increased 32% from September 2020 to September 2025.
#39. Georgia
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): -0.250
- Social and economic rank: #41
- Physical environment rank: #40
- Clinical care rank: #37
- Behaviors rank: #21
- Health outcomes rank: #36
Georgia has a relatively low number of seniors who drink excessively compared to other states; however, drug-related deaths increased 31% between 2019-2021 and 2022-2024. Flu vaccination fell 12% from 2022 to 2024. On the other hand, motor vehicle deaths dropped 19% between 2021 and 2023.
#38. Texas
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): -0.245
- Social and economic rank: #42
- Physical environment rank: #45
- Clinical care rank: #36
- Behaviors rank: #31
- Health outcomes rank: #26
The Lone Star State has a high percentage of seniors living in poverty, and many avoid getting medical help due to high service costs. The good news is that Texan seniors have a low prevalence of frequent mental distress, and nursing home quality improved 28% from fall 2023 to fall 2025.
#37. Kansas
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): -0.176
- Social and economic rank: #36
- Physical environment rank: #28
- Clinical care rank: #26
- Behaviors rank: #39
- Health outcomes rank: #38
Kansas has a low number of seniors living in poverty, and most of them have healthy sleeping habits. Even so, internet crime complaints from older adults nearly doubled between 2023 and 2024, and the number of specialized geriatric providers is insufficient.
#36. Ohio
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): -0.133
- Social and economic rank: #31
- Physical environment rank: #30
- Clinical care rank: #17
- Behaviors rank: #41
- Health outcomes rank: #37
Ohio ranks low in air quality and also in seniors' eating and exercise habits. Obesity is prevalent and drug-related deaths increased 34% between 2019-2021 and 2022-2024. The state does have a wide range of dedicated health care providers and hospice care available.
Roberto Galan // Shutterstock
16 / 50#35. Indiana
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): -0.124
- Social and economic rank: #29
- Physical environment rank: #29
- Clinical care rank: #20
- Behaviors rank: #36
- Health outcomes rank: #39
Indiana's seniors rank high in fruit and vegetable consumption and low in excessive drinking. Between 2023 and 2024, internet crime complaints from older adults increased 315%. Other concerns include a high prevalence of obesity and low SNAP participation among older adults in poverty.
#34. Wyoming
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): -0.114
- Social and economic rank: #34
- Physical environment rank: #3
- Clinical care rank: #47
- Behaviors rank: #16
- Health outcomes rank: #27
Motor vehicle deaths are high and on the rise in Wyoming; between 2021 and 2023, the rate among seniors increased 62%. Although early death rates fell 20% from 2021 to 2024, frequent mental distress grew 48% between 2017 and 2024.
#33. Illinois
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): -0.108
- Social and economic rank: #23
- Physical environment rank: #45
- Clinical care rank: #42
- Behaviors rank: #33
- Health outcomes rank: #20
Illinois seniors have a low prevalence of frequent mental distress and suicide. But relatively few have a dedicated health care provider. While physical inactivity decreased 25% from 2021 to 2024, low numbers of cancer screenings remain a problem.
#31. Montana (tie)
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): -0.098
- Social and economic rank: #32
- Physical environment rank: #7
- Clinical care rank: #44
- Behaviors rank: #15
- Health outcomes rank: #35
Montana's strengths include high physical activity, low preventable hospitalization rates, and low prevalence of multiple chronic conditions. On the flip side, there is a low number of seniors with a dedicated health care provider, and Montana has the highest suicide rate among older adults in the nation.
#31. Alaska (tie)
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): -0.098
- Social and economic rank: #3
- Physical environment rank: #6
- Clinical care rank: #50
- Behaviors rank: #22
- Health outcomes rank: #43
Alaska faces several challenges including a high prevalence of suicide and excessive drinking, and drug-related deaths more than doubled between 2019-2021 and 2022-2024. Nonetheless, few seniors have multiple chronic conditions, and there is a low rate of motor vehicle deaths.
#30. Florida
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): -0.088
- Social and economic rank: #37
- Physical environment rank: #37
- Clinical care rank: #31
- Behaviors rank: #30
- Health outcomes rank: #23
Florida has a low prevalence of falls and a high percentage of four- and five-star nursing home beds in this popular state for retirement. High-speed internet access among older households rose 13% from 2018 to 2024. Housing cost burden, however, rose 12% over the same period.
#29. South Carolina
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): -0.065
- Social and economic rank: #38
- Physical environment rank: #22
- Clinical care rank: #28
- Behaviors rank: #24
- Health outcomes rank: #30
Seniors in the Palmetto State struggle with a high prevalence of multiple chronic conditions, a high rate of motor vehicle deaths, and a high early death rate. On the bright side, mental distress ranks rather low, and high-speed internet access among older households in South Carolina rose 38% from 2015 to 2024.
#28. Idaho
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): -0.023
- Social and economic rank: #17
- Physical environment rank: #21
- Clinical care rank: #33
- Behaviors rank: #32
- Health outcomes rank: #33
Idaho ranks high in preventable hospitalizations and nursing home quality, and its seniors face a low risk of social isolation. Suicide rates are high, though, and depression increased a concerning 48% between 2016 and 2024.
#27. Michigan
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): -0.007
- Social and economic rank: #27
- Physical environment rank: #32
- Clinical care rank: #24
- Behaviors rank: #23
- Health outcomes rank: #29
Michigan has a high prevalence of obesity, and flu vaccination fell 16% between 2022 and 2024. The good news is that SNAP reach among older adults in poverty grew 23% from 2018 to 2023.
#26. Iowa
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): 0.046
- Social and economic rank: #25
- Physical environment rank: #8
- Clinical care rank: #21
- Behaviors rank: #33
- Health outcomes rank: #22
Seniors in Iowa are at low risk of social isolation, and most of them do not face severe housing problems. On the downside, food insecurity is on the rise (up 18% between 2022 and 2023), and there are not enough geriatric care providers.
#25. Arizona
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): 0.064
- Social and economic rank: #33
- Physical environment rank: #33
- Clinical care rank: #22
- Behaviors rank: #16
- Health outcomes rank: #21
Arizona has a low percentage of obesity, and physical inactivity fell 18% between 2022 and 2024. Still, Arizona ranks poorly in air quality and flu vaccination, and its suicide rate is high.
#24. North Carolina
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): 0.084
- Social and economic rank: #20
- Physical environment rank: #23
- Clinical care rank: #18
- Behaviors rank: #38
- Health outcomes rank: #16
A large number of seniors get preventive clinical services (such as vaccines and cancer screenings) in North Carolina. But the state has a high early death rate, and drug-related deaths have risen 40% between 2019-2021 and 2022-2024.
#23. Pennsylvania
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): 0.088
- Social and economic rank: #16
- Physical environment rank: #42
- Clinical care rank: #16
- Behaviors rank: #26
- Health outcomes rank: #28
Internet crime complaints from older adults increased 108% in Pennsylvania between 2023 and 2024. Drug-related deaths rose 33% between 2019-2021 and 2022-2024. Air pollution and obesity are other factors that affect the lives of older Pennsylvanians.
#22. South Dakota
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): 0.144
- Social and economic rank: #18
- Physical environment rank: #1
- Clinical care rank: #35
- Behaviors rank: #11
- Health outcomes rank: #24
South Dakota ranks first in the nation for physical environment. Unfortunately, frequent mental distress among seniors more than doubled between 2019 and 2024. The state has a low prevalence of food insecurity among senior citizens, but also has the lowest ratio of geriatric providers in the nation.
#21. Wisconsin
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): 0.152
- Social and economic rank: #13
- Physical environment rank: #25
- Clinical care rank: #11
- Behaviors rank: #28
- Health outcomes rank: #31
Excessive drinking among seniors is high in Wisconsin, as is obesity. Though physical inactivity fell 23% between 2023 and 2024, drug-related deaths increased 43% between 2019-2021 and 2022-2024.
#20. California
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): 0.164
- Social and economic rank: #26
- Physical environment rank: #50
- Clinical care rank: #32
- Behaviors rank: #7
- Health outcomes rank: #9
California's seniors are physically active, but housing costs are the highest burden in the nation. Internet crime complaints also increased 52% between 2023 and 2024. Home health care workers are available, and flu vaccination rose 19% between 2018 and 2024.
#19. Virginia
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): 0.165
- Social and economic rank: #22
- Physical environment rank: #20
- Clinical care rank: #15
- Behaviors rank: #27
- Health outcomes rank: #17
Virginia has a low percentage of seniors living in poverty. They report frequent physical distress at a lower rate than many other places. However, food insecurity grew 21% between 2022 and 2023, and obesity is a challenge.
#18. New York
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): 0.166
- Social and economic rank: #30
- Physical environment rank: #44
- Clinical care rank: #30
- Behaviors rank: #14
- Health outcomes rank: #6
Seniors in New York state do not get enough sleep, and they are at high risk of social isolation. While the number of home health care workers increased 18% from 2022 to 2024, food insecurity rose 21% between 2022 and 2023.
#17. Nebraska
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): 0.177
- Social and economic rank: #20
- Physical environment rank: #13
- Clinical care rank: #23
- Behaviors rank: #19
- Health outcomes rank: #18
Nebraska's senior citizens enjoy low rates of frequent mental distress and food insecurity. However, suicides increased 49% between 2014-2016 and 2022-2024, and poverty rose 36% from 2017 to 2024.
#16. Oregon
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): 0.194
- Social and economic rank: #14
- Physical environment rank: #38
- Clinical care rank: #13
- Behaviors rank: #8
- Health outcomes rank: #40
Oregon seniors are physically active. However, housing problems are worrisome, and poverty rose 37% between 2018 and 2024. Even though they don't often suffer multiple chronic conditions, reports of mental distress and suicide rates rank high in this West Coast state.
#15. North Dakota
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): 0.215
- Social and economic rank: #19
- Physical environment rank: #5
- Clinical care rank: #27
- Behaviors rank: #18
- Health outcomes rank: #14
North Dakota ranks fifth in the nation for physical environment. Water quality is high, and housing costs are low. The number of geriatric providers more than doubled between September 2020 and September 2025. However, flu vaccination among people ages 65 and over fell 12% between 2021 and 2024.
#14. New Jersey
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): 0.343
- Social and economic rank: #28
- Physical environment rank: #41
- Clinical care rank: #19
- Behaviors rank: #9
- Health outcomes rank: #2
New Jersey seniors tend to eat a healthy amount of fruits and vegetables, and the state has the lowest early death rate in the nation. However, drug-related deaths rose 26% between 2019-2021 and 2022-2024. Though seniors tend to miss their pneumonia vaccinations, the number of home health care workers in the Garden State increased 13% between 2022 and 2024.
#13. Delaware
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): 0.366
- Social and economic rank: #6
- Physical environment rank: #24
- Clinical care rank: #7
- Behaviors rank: #29
- Health outcomes rank: #19
Delaware has a low number of suicides among seniors, but it also has a problem with obesity, and internet crime complaints from older adults rose 58% between 2023 and 2024. America's first state also has a high prevalence of seniors with multiple chronic conditions.
#12. Maine
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): 0.370
- Social and economic rank: #7
- Physical environment rank: #4
- Clinical care rank: #3
- Behaviors rank: #25
- Health outcomes rank: #34
Drug-related deaths among seniors are on the rise in Maine (up 78% between 2019-2021 and 2022-2024). Excessive drinking is a problem, too, and there is a high prevalence of frequent mental distress among seniors. However, food insecurity is low, and flu vaccination grew 44% from 2018 to 2024.
#11. Rhode Island
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): 0.383
- Social and economic rank: #24
- Physical environment rank: #48
- Clinical care rank: #2
- Behaviors rank: #20
- Health outcomes rank: #3
The number of seniors in this New England state who can access geriatric care is high, and the number of geriatric providers rose 30% between September 2018 and September 2025. Nursing home quality in Rhode Island improved 25% between fall 2023 and fall 2025, while motor vehicle deaths among people 65 and over nearly tripled between 2022 and 2023.
#10. Hawaii
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): 0.385
- Social and economic rank: #8
- Physical environment rank: #2
- Clinical care rank: #34
- Behaviors rank: #35
- Health outcomes rank: #1
Hawaii ranks first in the nation for health outcomes. It has a low level of obesity, a low early death rate, and a high quality of nursing homes. But two statistics are concerning: a 20% drop in SNAP reach among older adults in poverty between 2019 and 2023, and one of the lowest pneumonia vaccination rates in the nation.
#9. Maryland
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): 0.470
- Social and economic rank: #10
- Physical environment rank: #26
- Clinical care rank: #10
- Behaviors rank: #13
- Health outcomes rank: #5
Though Maryland ranks high in clinical care, drug-related deaths among seniors are among the highest in the nation, and poverty rose 37% from 2018 to 2024. On the positive side, suicide remains low, as does the prevalence of frequent physical distress.
#8. Connecticut
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): 0.480
- Social and economic rank: #11
- Physical environment rank: #39
- Clinical care rank: #6
- Behaviors rank: #12
- Health outcomes rank: #11
Connecticut has a low early death rate, high SNAP enrollment, and a high prevalence of cancer screenings. Not all the numbers are rosy, though. Flu vaccination fell 9% from 2022 to 2024, and severe housing problems are high.
#7. Washington
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): 0.599
- Social and economic rank: #4
- Physical environment rank: #31
- Clinical care rank: #9
- Behaviors rank: #3
- Health outcomes rank: #15
Physical inactivity is low in Washington, as is the number of seniors with multiple chronic conditions. However, drug-related deaths increased 87% between 2019-2021 and 2022-2024, and the suicide rate is high.
#6. Massachusetts
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): 0.608
- Social and economic rank: #9
- Physical environment rank: #35
- Clinical care rank: #5
- Behaviors rank: #10
- Health outcomes rank: #4
Seniors in Massachusetts are on top of their preventive health care. Seniors here rank second in both flu vaccination and cancer screenings. Massachusetts also has a high number of geriatric health care providers. On the other hand, housing costs weigh heavily on older residents.
#5. Colorado
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): 0.616
- Social and economic rank: #12
- Physical environment rank: #27
- Clinical care rank: #8
- Behaviors rank: #2
- Health outcomes rank: #7
Colorado's seniors are physically active, have a low rate of early deaths, and a low prevalence of obesity. There is much to improve on, though. Frequent mental distress went up by 57% between 2015 and 2024, and the suicide rate is high.
#4. Minnesota
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): 0.631
- Social and economic rank: #15
- Physical environment rank: #34
- Clinical care rank: #1
- Behaviors rank: #5
- Health outcomes rank: #8
In Minnesota, excessive drinking is common, and obesity is a challenge. Although drug-related deaths are low, they rose 36% between 2019-2021 and 2022-2024. Seniors here tend to sleep well and rarely suffer multiple chronic conditions.
#3. New Hampshire
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): 0.664
- Social and economic rank: #5
- Physical environment rank: #10
- Clinical care rank: #4
- Behaviors rank: #6
- Health outcomes rank: #10
New Hampshire has a small number of seniors living in poverty, and they are at low risk of isolation. The seniors here rank third in high health status, but face severe housing problems and drink excessively. Flu vaccination grew 41% between 2018 and 2024.
#2. Utah
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): 0.686
- Social and economic rank: #1
- Physical environment rank: #18
- Clinical care rank: #12
- Behaviors rank: #4
- Health outcomes rank: #12
Utah's seniors enjoy favorable economic conditions, and stay physically active while largely avoiding excessive drinking. The quality of care ranks high, with the highest rate of hospice care use in the nation. However, the suicide rate is high, and internet crime complaints from older adults rose 81% between 2023 and 2024.
#1. Vermont
- Overall score (relative to U.S. average): 0.736
- Social and economic rank: #2
- Physical environment rank: #12
- Clinical care rank: #14
- Behaviors rank: #1
- Health outcomes rank: #13
Vermont ranks high in social and economic factors, and seniors tend to eat healthy and exercise. The state also has low early death rates and a low prevalence of multiple chronic conditions. Full-mouth teeth extractions fell 44% between 2014 and 2024, but nursing home quality fell 39% between fall 2024 and fall 2025.
