Edward Granaghan a health enthusiast based in Cream Ridge, NJ. As a resident of Cream Ridge, NJ, Edward Granaghan lives in one of the healthiest states in the country. According to the United Health Foundation’s 2025 America’s Health Rankings Annual Report, New Jersey ranks as the 11th healthiest state in America.
The United Health Foundation report highlighted many positives, including an almost 30 percent increase in colorectal cancer screenings for adults aged between 45 and 75 years over the last three years. According to the American Cancer Society, colorectal cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths in the United States.
The United Health Foundation also reported a low prevalence of persistent mental distress, an issue for only 13.2 percent of adults in New Jersey. Many other states deal with far higher rates of anxiety and depression. Approximately 20 percent of Americans live with an anxiety disorder, while more than 40 percent of the country felt more anxious in 2024 than in 2023. Meanwhile, the National Institute of Mental Health reports that over 18 percent of Americans experience or receive treatment for depression, a marked increase from 12.5 percent in 2019.
Obesity and cigarette smoking rates are lower in New Jersey compared to other parts of the country. Obesity represents one of the largest health issues in the US, with a prevalence of over 40 percent nationwide, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Obesity costs the US economy almost $173 billion each year in medical expenses. Cigarette smoking, meanwhile, can lead to a wide range of serious health conditions, including macular degeneration, gum disease, sexual dysfunction, heart attack, stroke, and various types of cancer. Other critical areas of improvement included a decrease in premature deaths, the first drug-related deaths improvement since 2018, and a 15 percent uptick in cancer screenings.
On the opposite end of the spectrum, however, the number of adults living with three or more chronic conditions increased by 6 percent, including a 17 percent spike among adults between the ages of 18 and 44. In addition, the number of patients avoiding medical care due to costs grew by almost 10 percent.
The state can make improvements in regard to hiring more primary care providers. In addition, between 2023 and 2024, the state’s homelessness rate grew by 22 percent, up to 13.4 people per 10,000. Also, despite New Jersey’s overall health scores, it suffers from a high prevalence of physical inactivity, which may have serious health consequences in the coming years.
On a related note, the state has improved across several crime and safety categories. Homicide rates fell by 26 percent since 2020, down from 4.2 to 3.1 deaths per 100,000 people. New Jersey ranks as the fifth-best state for occupational fatalities per 100,000 and second for the fewest firearm deaths.
Dr. Margaret-Mary Wilson, executive vice president and chief medical officer of UnitedHealth Group, commended New Jersey and other states for improvements in mortality, behavioral health, and clinical care, while acknowledging that “the report also reveals areas for improvement.” Dr. Wilson continued by explaining how “the data also show the distinct challenges faced by different communities, including rural America, that must be addressed through tailored interventions.”
