For the fourth year in a row Minnesota was awarded the top spot by the United Health Foundation, a private non-profit organization, as the healthiest state in the USA.  The reason?  There isn’t a single virus that can survive a Minnesota winter! All kidding aside, the key measures considered by the United Health Foundation in this analysis are fairly broad and include things like the rates of cancer, smoking, car accidents and high school graduation.  Minnesota scored 21% higher than the national average.  The state has the lowest uninsured rate in the nation, at 8.7%, and few children live in poverty or die as infants.

Infant mortality is an area where the US does not rank well.  It ranks as low as countries like Andorra, Cuba, Croatia and Estonia, even though these countries are much smaller and have much less resources than the US.  Smoking continues to be a deterrent to a healthier lifestyle throughout the country, even though much progress has been made in the last few years.  Smoking causes 440,000 deaths a year in the US, according to the American Heart Association.

Recently, Money Magazine ranked Eden Prairie, MN as number 10 in its list of best places to live in the USA.  The median family income in Eden Prairie is $105,177, and the median home price $289,250.  Eden Prairie scored high on education, quality of life and health.  As expected, it didn’t do so well on weather.  Minneapolis – St. Paul also ranks high as one of best places to live in the US.  It has low unemployment rates, low violent crime rates, and is considered among the top in the nation in terms of stress-free living.

Minnesota is not just a healthy, stress-free state.  If you can stand the harsh winters, Minnesota is a great place to live for many other reasons as well.  Minnesota is one of the most prosperous states in the nation, and ranks among the lowest for people living under the federal poverty guidelines. The public schools are some of the best in the US.  The University of Minnesota is considered a top school in many fields.  In fact, Minnesotans are the 6th most educated people in the nation. Public service is also considered very good in Minnesota.

But all this great public service comes at a price.  Minnesota has the 5th highest state income tax in the nation, which is 7.85% at the top bracket.  This puts a heavy toll on income producers.  But at least Minnesotans get to see their tax dollars at work.  It is nice to see the state being recognized as the healthiest in the US, in great part due to public services that are available to the population.

You must have heard of “Minnesota nice”.  It is a good way to describe the way the general population conducts itself.  Polite and courteous, it is unlikely that you will see someone cut you in line, honk in a traffic jam, or behave in other unpleasant manner.  This also contributes to stress reduction.  Even the taxi drivers in Minnesota are polite.  Many are Somalian immigrants who are generally well educated, listen to NPR while driving their cabs, and have done quite well adjusting to the “Minnesota nice” way of living.

In the summer, having 10,000 lakes to choose from makes it easy to enjoy the outdoors, especially if you like water sports.  Fishing and boating are very popular sports.  Minnesota has one the highest number of boat owners in the nation.  There are also many bike trails throughout the state.

Despite of  being considered the healthiest state in the nation, Governor Tim Pawlenty thinks Minnesota can still do better.  “We are not living as healthy as we should, and we are dying too soon.  There is nothing more worth of a sustained national conversation than this.” 

Being healthy and living with less stress than most other states in certainly a big plus for Minnesotans in their pursuit of success.  If you are seriously looking for ways to improve your overall health and reduce your stress, you may want to give Minnesota a try.  But don’t forget your winter coat.