DE, MD, VA ranked outside the top 15 in healthy state rankings

According to a new report from the United Health Foundation and the American Public Health Association, not one Delmarva state cracked the top 15 of their 2014 healthy state rankings.

Maryland was the highest state, ranking at number 16.

The report cites the availability of primary care doctors, high immunization rates among children, and a low prevalence of smoking as the states strengths, with the challenges being high violent crime rates, high levels of air pollution, and low birthweights.

Virginia was the next highest at 21.

The report says the Old Dominion is getting it right when it comes to rate of drug deaths, violent crime rates, and the amount of children in poverty. Where the state is going wrong, immunization coverage in kids and teens and infant mortality rates.

Finally, Delaware placed at 35.

In the report, the first state has done a good job of funding public health per capita, the immunization of teens and the lack of pertussis.

However, those strengths overshadowed by high violent crime and infant mortality rates and a large presence of diabetes.