A new study identified the top ten most dangerous states for habitability in the United States, taking into account climate and air pollution.
Other concerns were natural disasters and accidents, nonviolent crime and socioeconomic conditions, road and traffic safety, and violent crime and social upheaval.
Injury Law Firm Bader Scott conducted the analysis using the most recent data from the United States Environmental Protection Agency, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the FBI Crime Data Explorer, the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, and Census.gov.
All 50 states were weighted by 49 distinct parameters that determined their habitability, with the worst possible rating of 100 and the best being zero.
Alaska has the worst climate and weather in the United States, scoring 79.1 out of 100 points, according to the research. Louisiana ranks second for the worst climate and weather, with a score of 51.22. The remaining top ten states are Mississippi, Arizona, South Carolina, Arkansas, Wisconsin, New Mexico, Kentucky, and Missouri.
According to the research, Wisconsin is the worst state for air quality and pollution. The state received 89.89 points out of 100 on the scale. Missouri came in second place, with an air quality and pollution score of 84.13.
New Mexico, Kentucky, Mississippi, Arizona, Louisiana, Arkansas, and South Carolina took third through tenth places, with Alaska coming in last with 13.53 out of 100.
Mississippi placed top in natural risks and accidents, with a score of 63.81 out of 100. Alaska finished second with 62.75 points, followed by Louisiana with 61.49.
“States along the Gulf Coast such as Florida, Louisiana, and Texas and the Eastern Seaboard often face hurricanes, which can cause severe damage and loss of life,” according to Seth Bader, founder of Bader Scott.
“In addition, certain states have higher levels of pollution or tainted water sources, which might endanger citizens’ health. For example, areas of California are dealing with air pollution, while states such as Michigan are dealing with water poisoning,” Bader added.
Overall, Louisiana was voted the most hazardous state due to its high rates of violent crime and societal disruption.
Mississippi finished second, with air quality and pollution being its lowest-scoring factors.
Alaska ranked third in terms of danger, with climate and weather receiving the highest rating. Alaska will have the coldest temperatures in the United States in 2024, according to the NOAA National Centers for Environmental Information.
According to the study, Massachusetts is the safest state to live in, despite having the lowest road and traffic safety score and an overall score of only 24.62 out of 100 across all ranking variables.
Source: America’s Top Ten Most Deadly States Based on Climate and Air Quality
