A recent study by Overnight Glasses ranked U.S. states based on their proneness to sickness using a multi-factor approach. The analysis combined health-related and environmental factors, including flu activity levels, air quality index (AQI), asthma rates, and sickness-related online searches. A composite score for each state was calculated, and states were then ranked in descending order based on these scores.
| State | Flu Activity Level | Air quality Index | Asthma Rates | Searches per 100K | Composite Index |
| California | Level 11 | 69 | 8.8 | 4.7K | 87.5 |
| Alabama | Level 12 | 78 | 10.1 | 2.6K | 85.3 |
| Louisiana | Level 13 | 52 | 9.7 | 2.8K | 81.3 |
| Oregon | Level 13 | 24 | 11.2 | 2.8K | 79.7 |
| New Mexico | Level 13 | 34 | 10.6 | 2.1K | 75.6 |
| Massachusetts | Level 11 | 40 | 11.7 | 1.8K | 73.1 |
| Michigan | Level 10 | 56 | 11.5 | 1.7K | 70.6 |
| Illinois | Level 10 | 79 | 8.7 | 2.6K | 68.4 |
| New Hampshire | Level 10 | 33 | 12.1 | 2.1K | 66.4 |
| Kansas | Level 12 | 32 | 10.6 | 2.2K | 63.3 |
California tops the ranking with a composite score of 88, making it the most sickness-prone state in the U.S. It has the highest volume of sickness-related online searches at 4,700 per 100K people, reflecting significant public concern about health issues. Additionally, its air quality index of 69 is among the worst in the country, contributing to environmental factors that exacerbate health problems.
Alabama ranks second with a composite score of 85. The state reports poor air quality, with an AQI of 78 and an asthma rate of 10.1%, higher than California’s, placing it among the states most affected by respiratory health challenges.
Louisiana comes in third with a composite score of 81. It has a high flu activity level of 13, indicating significant sickness prevalence, and asthma rates of 9.7%, above the national average. While its air quality index of 52 is better than Alabama’s and California’s, the combination of health metrics drives its high ranking.
Oregon ranks fourth with a score of 80. It shares a flu activity level of 13 with Louisiana but stands out for its air quality index of 24, one of the best in the study. However, its high asthma rate of 11.2% keeps it near the top of the list, indicating respiratory health as a major issue.
New Mexico takes fifth place with a composite score of 76. The state has a high flu activity level of 13 and an asthma rate of 10.6%, but its air quality index of 34 is better than every higher-ranked state except Oregon.
Massachusetts ranks sixth with a composite score of 73.1. It has the second-highest asthma rate in the study at 11.7%, significantly contributing to its position. Its flu activity level of 11 and air quality index of 40 places it in the midrange, but the prevalence of chronic respiratory conditions is a key driver of its ranking.
Coming in seventh, Michigan scores 71. Its asthma rate of 11.5% is slightly lower than Massachusetts’s but still high, while its flu activity level of 10 is the lowest among the top-ranked states. With 1,700 sickness-related searches, New Mexico residents seem less inclined to turn to online resources for answers.
Illinois ranks eighth with a score of 68. It stands out for having the poorest air quality in the study, with an AQI of 79, which heavily influences its ranking. Despite a relatively lower asthma rate of 8.7%, its environmental challenges make it one of the least healthy states.
Following in ninth place is New Hampshire with a score of 66. It records the highest asthma rate nationwide at 12.1%, which shows significant respiratory health concerns. Its air quality index of 33 is comparatively better than most, but lower sickness-related search activity, at 2,100, reflects less public concern about health issues.
Kansas rounds out the top ten with a composite score of 63. The state’s asthma rate of 10.6% and flu activity level of 12 indicates moderate health challenges. Its air quality index of 32 is one of the better scores in the study, and its sickness-related searches, at 2,200, are in line with the national average.
A spokesperson from Overnight Glasses commented on the study: “Public health is influenced by a complex mix of factors, from environmental conditions to chronic illnesses and seasonal trends. High asthma rates or poor air quality can create significant health challenges, while online search behavior reflects how concerned and proactive communities are about addressing these issues. By analyzing these elements together, we gain a clearer understanding of where health concerns are most concentrated and how they might be addressed to improve overall well-being.”
To access the full research, please follow this link.