Utah in the top ten for “most stressed states”
Feb 7, 2022, 1:14 PM | Updated: 1:25 pm
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SALT LAKE CITY — When compared to other states in the nation, Utah is said to be the sixth most stressed state in the country.
That’s according to new research from William Russell, an international company offering health, life, and income protection insurance.
The study authors looked at air quality, CO2 emissions, the percentage of the state made up of state or national parks, the cost of living index, LGBTQ+ population density, and the rate of suicide, in deciding their rankings.
Here’s how Utah’s numbers shook out:
- average air quality index = 23.7;
- percentage of land made up of state/national parks = 1.8%;
- cost of living index score = 102;
- suicide rates per 100,000 in population = 21.2;
- and CO2 gas emissions from large facilities = 29.4 million metric tons,
All that, leaves Utah’s “stress score” at 5.08 (out of 10).
For comparison, Texas was the number one most stressed state in the country with a score of 5.56. Contributing to that score was the level of CO2 emissions (290 million metric tons) — more than any other country in the United States.
Montana was second on the most-stressed list. Its score of 5.34 reflected a high suicide rate (26.2 per 100,000 of the population) and one of the lowest LGBTQ+ population densities of all U.S. states.
New Mexico was third. It’s 5.21 score reflects a lack of green spaces, William Russell reported, as well as a high suicide rate.
Delaware was ranked the least stressed state thanks to clean air and a high LGTBQ+ population density. Hawaii is the most expensive state in which to live, while Missippi was the least expensive.
Finally, when compared to the entire planet, William Russell reported the U.S. was the third most stressed country in the world following South Korea and Chile.
The report cited the highest cost of health care, as well as the cost of living, and the amount of noise and light pollution for this rating.
