Study: Illinois ranks 3rd for binge drinking

Posted on December 15, 2014

Illinois ranks 30th in health according to a study by the United Health Foundation. (Photo by Tony Alter/flickr)

By Illinois News Network

MINNETONKA, Minn. – When it comes to over imbibing, Illinois is only beat by two other states – Wisconsin and North Dakota. That's according to the most recent America’s Health Rankings from United Health Foundation.

The 2014 report says more than one-in-five Illinoisans self reported drinking multiple drinks in one setting in the past month. Admitted regular smokers dropped by nearly three points and high school graduation increased nearly 4.5 percent since 2012.

The report says that in the past year eight-percent of Illinois adults became less physically active, while twenty-percent more adolescents were immunized. Preventable hospitalizations decreased among Medicare recipients in Illinois but America’s Health Rankings says in that category Illinois still ranks 40th.

Overall health, Illinois landed just below half the pack at number thirty, which is where the state has been ranked every year since 2011.

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