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The Worst Cities In America To Live In For Your Health

By CM Chaney · April 19, 2024

The 15 Unhealthiest Cities In America

Brownsville, Texas has been named the least healthy city in the US, according to a recent study by WalletHub.

The study evaluated 182 major cities based on factors such as healthcare quality, food, green spaces, and fitness levels. Most of the lowest-scoring cities were located in the South, while San Francisco topped the list as the healthiest city.

Experts say affordability and access to healthcare play a crucial role in residents' overall health.

Here's a list of the country's most unhealthy places to live.  Unsplash/Towfiqu barbhuiya

1. Brownsville, TX

Brownsville, Texas, ranked as America's most unhealthy city by WalletHub, faces challenges in promoting wellness.

Factors contributing to this ranking may include limited access to affordable, nutritious food, a lack of recreational facilities, and high healthcare costs. Addressing these issues is crucial for improving the health and well-being of Brownsville's residents.  Wikimedia/Carol M. Highsmith

2. Gulfport, MS

Gulfport, MS, ranked as the second-most unhealthy city in America by WalletHub, struggles to prioritize residents' well-being.

The city may have limited access to affordable healthcare, fresh produce, and well-maintained recreational spaces. Gulfport must address these issues to create an environment that encourages healthy lifestyles and improves overall health outcomes.  Wikimedia/Woodlot

3. Laredo, TX

Laredo, TX, ranked as the third-most unhealthy city in America by WalletHub, grapples with obstacles in fostering residents' well-being.

The city likely faces challenges such as high healthcare costs, limited access to fresh, nutritious food, and a lack of well-maintained recreational facilities. Addressing these issues is essential for improving the health of Laredo's population.  Wikimedia/Not home

4. Columbus, GA

Columbus, GA, ranked as the fourth-most unhealthy city in America by WalletHub, faces significant challenges in promoting residents' well-being.

The city likely struggles with high healthcare costs, limited access to nutritious food options, and poorly maintained recreational spaces. To improve public health, Columbus must prioritize affordable healthcare, healthy food accessibility, and well-maintained parks.  Wikimedia/PghPhxNfk

5. Shreveport, LA

Shreveport, LA, ranked as the fifth-most unhealthy city in America by WalletHub, faces obstacles in promoting residents' well-being.

The city likely grapples with high healthcare costs, limited access to nutritious food, and poorly maintained recreational facilities. Addressing these issues is crucial for improving public health and encouraging healthy lifestyles in Shreveport.  Wikimedia/Roman Eugeniusz

6. Augusta, GA

Augusta, GA, ranked as the sixth-most unhealthy city in America by WalletHub, faces challenges in promoting residents' well-being.

The city likely struggles with high healthcare costs, limited access to fresh, nutritious food, and poorly maintained recreational facilities. To improve public health, Augusta must prioritize affordable healthcare, healthy food options, and well-maintained parks.  Wikimedia/c_live_lee

7. Fayetteville, NC

Fayetteville, NC, ranked as the seventh-most unhealthy city in America by WalletHub, faces obstacles in promoting residents' well-being.

The city likely grapples with high healthcare costs, limited access to nutritious food options, and poorly maintained recreational facilities. Addressing these issues is essential for improving public health and encouraging healthy lifestyles in Fayetteville.  Wikimedia/City of Fayetteville

8. Corpus Christi, TX

Corpus Christi, TX, ranked as the eighth-most unhealthy city in America by WalletHub, faces challenges in promoting residents' well-being.

The city likely struggles with high healthcare costs, limited access to fresh, nutritious food, and poorly maintained recreational spaces. To improve public health, Corpus Christi must prioritize affordable healthcare, healthy food options, and well-maintained parks.  Wikimedia/Terry Ross

9. Detroit, MI

Detroit, MI, ranked as the ninth-most unhealthy city in America by WalletHub, faces significant obstacles in promoting residents' well-being.

The city likely grapples with high healthcare costs, limited access to nutritious food options, and poorly maintained recreational facilities. Addressing these issues is crucial for improving public health and encouraging healthy lifestyles in Detroit.  Wikimedia/Detroit, MI

10. Huntington, WV

Huntington, WV, ranked as the 10th-most unhealthy city in America by WalletHub, faces challenges in promoting residents' well-being.

The city likely struggles with high healthcare costs, limited access to fresh, nutritious food, and poorly maintained recreational facilities. To improve public health, Huntington must prioritize affordable healthcare, healthy food options, and well-maintained parks.  Wikimedia/WeaponizingArchitecture

11. Fort Smith, AR

Fort Smith, AR, ranked as the 11th-most unhealthy city in America by WalletHub, faces obstacles in promoting residents' well-being.

The city likely grapples with high healthcare costs, limited access to nutritious food options, and poorly maintained recreational facilities. Addressing these issues is essential for improving public health and encouraging healthy lifestyles in Fort Smith.  Wikimedia/Brandonrush

12. Winston-Salem, NC

Winston-Salem, NC, ranked as the 12th-most unhealthy city in America by WalletHub, faces challenges in promoting residents' well-being.

The city likely struggles with high healthcare costs, limited access to fresh, nutritious food, and poorly maintained recreational spaces. To improve public health, Winston-Salem must prioritize affordable healthcare, healthy food options, and well-maintained parks.  Wikimedia/Warren LeMay

13. Memphis, TN

Memphis, TN, ranked as the 13th-most unhealthy city in America by WalletHub, faces significant obstacles in promoting residents' well-being.

The city likely grapples with high healthcare costs, limited access to nutritious food options, and poorly maintained recreational facilities. Addressing these issues is crucial for improving public health and encouraging healthy lifestyles in Memphis.  Wikimedia/Leonard23

14. Jackson, MS

Jackson, MS, ranked as the 14th-most unhealthy city in America by WalletHub, faces challenges in promoting residents' well-being.

The city likely struggles with high healthcare costs, limited access to fresh, nutritious food, and poorly maintained recreational spaces. To improve public health, Jackson must prioritize affordable healthcare, healthy food options, and well-maintained parks.  Wikimedia/formulanone

15. Montgomery, AL

Montgomery, AL, ranked as the 15th-most unhealthy city in America by WalletHub, faces obstacles in promoting residents' well-being.

The city likely grapples with high healthcare costs, limited access to nutritious food options, and poorly maintained recreational facilities. Addressing these issues is essential for improving public health and encouraging healthy lifestyles in Montgomery.

(This content was created with the help of AI, and edited by a human.)  Wikimedia/Carol M. Highsmith