Vermont Ranked Healthiest State; Mass. 2nd

Vermont has maintained its ranking as the healthiest state in the country for the fourth year in a row.

The 2010 American's Health Rankings released Tuesday put Massachusetts in second place, followed by New Hampshire with Mississippi as the least healthiest state.

The rankings published by United Health Foundation, the American Public Health Association and Partnership for Prevention noted Vermont's strengths as its high school graduation rate, low rate of uninsured people and ready access to early prenatal care.

But the report says the state has a high rate of binge drinking and only moderate vaccination coverage.

Overall, the report says the country's health improved slightly in 2010 but improvements were offset by a rise in obesity, children in poverty, and lack of health insurance.