The health of Massachusetts residents is largely dependent on the quality of local hospitals and medical facilities. The state is home to some of the best providers in the country, and a variety of healthcare options are available for its citizens. In addition to having a wide range of hospitals and medical centers, Massachusetts also has an extensive network of community-based health centers that provide primary care services and mental health resources in many communities. These centers are especially helpful to lower income individuals who may not be able to access private care. Additionally, Massachusetts is well-known for its robust preventive care programs that help people stay healthy by providing vaccination and screenings. All in all, Massachusetts provides comprehensive healthcare options that promote a high quality of life for its citizens.
The health of a city has many different factors. It can refer to air quality, water quality, risk of getting respiratory disease or cancer. The people you live around can also affect your health as some places have lower or higher rates of physical activity, increased alcohol intake, smoking, obesity, and cancer rates.
Physicians per Capita
There are 306 physicians per 100,000 population in Massachusetts. The US average is 210 per 100,000 people.
Health Cost Index
The annual BestPlaces Health Cost Index for the Massachusetts area is 82.8 (lower=better). The US average is 100.
82.8 / 100
Example: 110 = 10% more expensive than national average.
Water Qualtiy Index
The annual BestPlaces Water Quality Index for the Massachusetts area is 40 (100=best). The US average is 55.
40 / 100
Note that this is a measure of Watershed quality, not the water that comes from your faucet. The EPA has stated that a healthy watershed is closely related to drinking water quality. The EPA has a complex method of measuring watershed quality using 15 indicators such as pH, chemicals, metals, and bacteria.
Superfund Index
The annual BestPlaces Superfund Index for the Massachusetts area is 16 (100=best). The US average is 87.
16 / 100
The EPA's Superfund program is responsible for cleaning up some of our nation's most contaminated land. Our index is based on the number of active Superfund sites (over 15,000 in the United States), with particular attention paid to those on the National Priorities List which pose the greatest health danger.
Quick Facts
Commuting can effect your health. The average person in Massachusetts commutes 29.3 minutes one-way, which is longer than the US average of 26.4 minutes.
Air Quality Index
The annual BestPlaces Air Quality Index for the Massachusetts area is 65 (100=best). The US average is 58.
65 / 100
This is based on new measures of hazardous air pollutants from the EPA, called the National Air Toxics Assessment. This analysis models respiratory illness and cancer risk down to the zip code level, providing better detail and insight than the previous analysis based solely on results from air monitoring stations.