Where New Jersey Ranks Among Unhealthiest States

I’m not sure if I like being lumped into a group being called unhealthy, but the folks at WorldPopulationReview.com studied every state and ranked each one based on how healthy we are.

They say that health is based on an individual’s mental or physical state and being “healthy” of free from any sickness In 1948, the World Health Organization (WHO) defined health with a phrase that modern authorities still apply. “Health is a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity.” However, they do a deep dive and examine several other factors to come up with their ranking claiming “being healthy is a multifaceted undergoing that looks different for everyone in each region. It’s also measured differently for everyone.”

This is true, you and I and many people we see every day are doing things to positively alter our health. We’re exercising, watching what we eat, talking care of our skin and many other techniques to help ourselves not only feel, but look better. World Population Review reports that the first, physical fitness, “has many different definitions and depends completely on who you ask…health levels and statistics are not uniform across all 50 states.”

The United Health Foundation ranks obesity as the most common disease in the country with three states, Mississippi, Alabama and Virginia having the highest rate of the disease. The World Health Organization defining it as “abnormal or excessive fat accumulation that presents a risk to health.”

So where does New Jersey rank? New Jersey is number six on the list with an obesity percentage of 27.7, a frequent mental distress percentage of 12.3, and a multiple chronic conditions percentage of 7.4. New York falls at number 9 with an obesity percentage of 26.3, a frequent mental distress percentage of 12.3, and a multiple chronic conditions percentage of 7.4. Our neighbors in Pennsylvania landed at number 34 with an obesity percentage of 31.5, a frequent mental distress percentage of 14.2, and a multiple chronic conditions percentage of 11.3.

If you’re wondering which states finished ahead of New Jersey, they are Vermont, Idaho, Connecticut, Hawaii and Massachusetts.

Just as many of us at the stroke of midnight on January 1, 2023 have decided to make some changes in our lives, New Jersey has done the same. The Garden State will be implementing new laws that will go into effect this month or in the later months of 2023, per NJ Advance Media. According to the publication, Gov. Phil Murphy signed these laws in the past year but many don't go into effect immediately.

Take a look at some new state laws that will go into effect sometime this year:

New Jerseyans will be facing a higher insurance rate which took effect on Jan. 1. According to the outlet, Jersey drivers will spend $125 more a year for insurance, according to industry officials.

Last year, Gov. Phil Murphy signed into law that people could not carry guns into "sensitive areas" about six months after the U.S. Supreme Court made it easier to get a gun permit. "Sensitive areas" include "schools, courthouses, child care centers, nursing homes, polling places, government buildings, hospitals, bars, and restaurants where alcohol is served, airports, parks, beaches, demonstrations, movie theaters, casinos, and other entertainment centers," NJ Advance Media previously reported.

Murphy's decision on stopping people from carrying guns into "sensitive places" took effect Dec. 22; other provisions are slated to be phased in over the coming months, the publication reports.

According to the outlet, a new law will allow teens who are 16 and 17 work up to 50 hours per week during the summer in New Jersey. Previously, teens could only work up to 40 hours.

This took effect on Jan. 1.

In this new voter privacy law that Gov. Murphy signed back in July, it states that polling stations in New Jersey "will have privacy sleeves for the printed ballot so poll workers or anybody nearby can’t see who you voted for in between the time it takes to slide your ballot into the scanner." The law (A3817) also lets registered voters update their name and address online.

This took effect on Jan. 1.

Murphy signed a new law in July that will require gun owners in New Jersey to register their firearms purchased from out of state. He also signed another gun-related law that will make "manufacturers and dealers to keep a detailed electronic record of handgun ammunition sales in New Jersey and report them to the State Police."

Both are to go into effect on Feb. 1.

Places of worship that have more than 500 seats, entertainment venues with more than 1,000 seats, and entertainment facilities including sports arenas with more than 5,000 seats are to soon set up with first responders and local law enforcement a plan of action in case of a mass shooting.

This law will take effect on June 1.

This new law will make getting unemployment benefits for out-of-work New Jersey residents obtained faster. It is also supposed to extend the time for appeals and increase the fine for employers who make it harder to gain information about claims.

This law takes effect on July 31.