Indiana has come in 41st in a national survey of state health rankings for the third year in a row. The report, released by the United Health Foundation, stated that Indiana was strong with concern to immunizations, infectious diseases and binge drinking, but needs to work on issues such as physical activity, obesity and air pollution, among others.

“The first step is awareness,” said Jerome Adams, state health commissioner. “Number 41 is not where we want to be, but acknowledging it and figuring out what we need to do to move forward is the only way to climb the ladder and get to my goal of being number one.”

Adams credits the state’s (800) QUIT-NOW tobacco hotline with helping to reduce the number of Hoosier smokers, and said Indiana has been successful in immunizations thanks to a 2010 law requiring certain vaccinations for children, which has helped the state cut the infectious disease rate, too.

The state finished 7th in adolescent immunizations, 13th in disparity in health status and 13th in children living in poverty. Indiana was also able to reduce its smoking rate from 25 percent to 21 percent over the past two years.

As for the challenges the state faces, Indiana ranked 48th in air pollution, 47th in public health funding and 43rd in physical activity.

Source: The Times NW Indiana