The best (and worst) ranked states for women’s health

Massachusetts is the top state for women’s health, according to a recent ranking of the best and worst states in America for women done by SmileHub, a nonprofit technology company.

More than 169 million women live in the United States, but healthcare gaps persist. For example, approximately 16% of American women live in fair or poor health. Obesity and hypertension rates are especially high, at 41% and 45%, respectively.

Women in the United States are also more likely to die in pregnancy and childbirth than in other high-income countries, such as the United Kingdom and Canada.

The cost of medical care is a large barrier for many women, with 44% of women struggling to pay and one-third skipping needed medical care because of cost. These financial hurdles often lead to delayed diagnoses, particularly for chronic conditions that require long-term management and preventative screenings.

In this survey, each state was graded out of 100 points across 18 metrics in three categories, which were:

- Health and living standards – 45 possible points

- Healthcare policies and support systems – 35 possible points

- Safety – 20 possible points

The metrics analysts looked at included the rate of uninsured women in that state, the number of domestic violence support services per number of women and the suicide rate. Furthermore, the study examined the "Safety" category, acknowledging that physical and psychological security are foundational to overall wellness. States that ranked at the bottom of the list frequently lacked robust legislative protections and showed lower funding for reproductive health clinics.

The findings serve as a roadmap for policymakers, highlighting that geographic location remains one of the strongest predictors of a woman’s quality of life. As healthcare disparities continue to widen, the data suggests that state-level intervention is critical to closing the gap.