Is Living In South Dakota Killing You?

Have you ever dreamed of living on calm, quiet ranch in the country? Well a new study says that living in areas like rural South Dakota, Iowa, & Minnesota may not be good for your health.

A new report from Country Health Rankings is saying that rural counties have the highest rates of premature death.

The data looks at counties across the United States using more than 30 measures of health including smoking, obesity, poverty and even sleep.

The report says: Rural counties have consistently had the highest premature death rates and, following a few years of improvement, overall rates of premature death are increasing.

Nearly 1 in 5 Rural counties has experienced worsening premature death rates over the past decade.

Large Urban counties have seen the greatest declines in premature death rates since the late 1990s.

Unlike other types of counties, nearly all Large Urban counties have consistently shown improved premature death rates.

There is no single factor that explains the significant differences in health between Rural and other types of counties. My guess is it may be wild Badgers.

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