alive Editorial
Not surprisingly, people living in the healthiest cities in the U.S. share some common characteristics thanks to their access to quality healthcare, nutritious food sources, clean air, accessible workout facilities, and public green spaces. The unhealthiest cities in the country often lack some or all of these benefits. As a result, their residents may deal with a long list of health issues and are more likely to develop obesity or engage in harmful behaviors like smoking and a lack of physical activity.
Plus, fewer people who live here are smokers. Despite its small size, the city provides many parks and other outdoor public spaces, which research shows encourage better physical activity.
Studies show that folks who spend time in natural surroundings are more likely to be active. Lots of people walk or bike to work in Portland, and this active transportation increases overall fitness. It also reduces transportation-related pollution which leads to cleaner air.
As for access to nourishing food, Portland takes top honors alongside New York City for the number of healthy restaurants per capita.
The city also recognizes the importance of fitness to overall well-being and has ensured that there are parks and recreation facilities for people to enjoy.
The city has a low percentage of smokers, due in part to government initiatives to address teen smoking. Increasing access to quality health care has paid off, with heart disease causing fewer deaths in recent years than in previous decades.
The city also enjoys a large number of restaurants that serve healthy entrees, including vegan and vegetarian options. Minneapolis' numerous farmers’ markets have increased the population’s access to fruits and vegetables, which studies show leads to fewer health complications and longer lifespans.
A quarter of McAllen’s population lives in poverty, and poor access to fresh fruits and vegetables in some neighborhoods is a major problem.
Improvements could be on the way, though. In recent years, the city has made efforts to address obesity and combat the population's inactive lifestyles by offering community wellness programs.
Outdoor activities are available to those who can afford them, and many residents say they recognize the importance of becoming more active. However, there are few locally organized activities to encourage the shift to a more active lifestyle.
Limited fruit and vegetable consumption and a lack of access to healthy foods are big problems. While Tulsa has a large number of fast-food restaurants and grocery stores, few sell healthy alternatives and many are not accessible to low-income neighborhoods.
Because Tulsa is a car-centric city, there is little infrastructure to support riding a bike or walking to work.
Although the city declared public places and workplaces smoke-free zones in 2006, smoking is still prevalent among adults and teens alike.
Low accessibility to fitness facilities, safe, outdoor green spaces, and healthy food sources stands in the way of Jacksonians adopting a healthier lifestyle. With year-round humidity levels between 70 percent and 80 percent, and an average of 54 inches of rain each year, the weather conditions probably deter outdoor physical activities, too.