Local

South Carolina among 10 least healthy states, new reports says

South Carolina is among the 10 least healthy states in America, according to a new report by the United Health Foundation.

America's Health Rankings Annual Report is the longest-running yearly assessment of the country's health on a state-by-state basis, the foundation's website says.

The 2017 edition ranked South Carolina 44th in the nation in terms of its health status, a two-spot drop from 2016, when the state ranked 42nd.

According to the report, the state is challenged by a large percentage of children in poverty, a high premature death rate and a prevalence of diabetes.

[READ MORE about South Carolina's ranking]

South Carolina has also seen an increase in excessive drinking over the past two years, the report says.

Oklahoma finished ahead of South Carolina in the rankings in the 43rd spot, while Tennessee was just behind in 45th. Mississippi rounded out the bottom of the list in the 50th position.

Massachusetts claimed the top spot in the U.S., followed by Hawaii and Vermont.

Read more top trending stories on wsoctv.com