If your goal is long life and health, you should move to Hawaii – particularly if you live in Louisiana or Mississippi.

The Commonwealth Fund rated Hawaii as the healthiest state in the Union based on factors such as the number of premature deaths, healthy lifestyle, access, equity and quality of health care.

Topping out the list of healthiest states were Hawaii, Iowa, New Hampshire, Vermont and Maine. Hawaii requires employers to supply health care to any person who works 20 hours a week or more. In healthier states, residents have health insurance and few children live in poverty.

Infant mortality is lower and the people are more health conscious, enjoy outdoor sports and have a lower unemployment rate than people in other states. In the unhealthiest states – Louisiana, Mississippi and Alabama – obesity rates have skyrocketed and nearly 10 percent fewer people have health insurance than in 2000.

Obesity rates around the country are on the increase and smoking and percentage of people with health insurance is at a standstill. It seems improbable, but infant mortality in the United States ranks at the bottom of 36 nations surveyed – on par with poverty-stricken Cuba, Croatia and Estonia. [sources: USA Today, Fitness RX]