Report Ranks States on Public Health Indicators

Some states are making more progress on healthcare matters than others are, according to new data in the latest America's Health Rankings report from the United Health Foundation.

The yearly report ranks the 50 states on a variety of health-related factors, including cancer deaths, cardiovascular health, diabetes, immunization coverage and child poverty, and much more.

Two of the leading health issues covered in the report are tobacco use and obesity. The organization observes that more than 3 million people have quit smoking in the past year and that 18.3 percent of the population now smokes, down from 19.8 percent last year.

However, such progress is not being made on the obesity front. According to the foundation, current trends suggest that 103 American adults, or 43 percent of the population, will be obese by 2018. As a result, the foundation warns that obesity is "the nation's next health battle."

The report also noted that obesity levels have risen 130 percent in the 20 years since its first volume was published. The United States is said to spend $1.8 trillion each year on medical costs associated with diseases lined to risk factors like smoking and obesity, including diabetes, cancer and heart disease.