Connecticut 3rd Best In U.S. Health Rankings

Due to low smoking and obesity rates, as well as the number of children living in poverty, the United Health Foundation has ranked Connecticut #3 on its list of America's healthiest states behind Vermont and New Hampshire, according to The Hartford Courant. The state moved up one spot from the previous year.

Despite its ranking, however, Connecticut has a moderate rate of air pollution and a "," according to study. The rate of diabetes among adults has also increased from 6.6 percent to 7.3 percent. Hawaii and Massachusetts came in behind the Nutmeg State at #4 and #5, respectively.

This year, Tolland County ranked first among Connecticut's eight counties for survival to age 75 and older, released in August by the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute. Fairfield County ranked third behind Middlesex.

In a separate comparison of health statistics, the Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel reorted last month that at least one ZIP Code area in that city has a higher infant mortality rate than Guangzhou, China.

"In Milwaukee, one baby under the age of 12 months dies for every 95 who live, making it one of America's most fatal cities for infants," the newspaper reported. "Among registered residents of Guangzhou, one baby dies for every 210 who live."

The U.S. ranked 12th best in the world for health care 1960, but was down to No. 30 by 2005, according to rankings from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to a comparison of 196 nations by UNICEF, the U.S. tied with Montenegro and Slovakia at No. 45, according to the newspaper.