Oklahoma bests just 4 states in US health rankings

OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) – Oklahoma ranks ahead of just four states in overall health in a report by the United Health Foundation’s America’s Health Rankings.
Oklahoma ranks No. 46 in the report released Thursday, one spot worse than in 2015. The state ranks better than only Alabama, Arkansas, Louisiana and Mississippi.
The report says Oklahoma has the fifth-worst rate in the U.S. of infant mortality; seventh-worst rate of cancer deaths; eighth-worst rate of obesity; ninth-worst rate of diabetes; and is third worst in heart disease related deaths.
The report did show a low rate of adults who drink to excess and a low rate of whooping cough.
Oklahoma Health Commissioner Dr. Terry Cline told The Oklahoman that improvement is being seen in some areas, but other states are improving at a higher pace.