Unhealthiest States In America 2008

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Unhealthiest States In America 2008

 

That's what publisher CQ Press reveals in its 16th annual list.

Twenty-one factors from infant mortality to obesity to cancer rates are compiled for the rankings.

No. 1: <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com<st1:place w:st="on">Mississippi</st1:place></st1:State>

Topping the list as the most unhealthy state in <st1:country-region w:st="on">America</st1:country-region>, the <ST1:PMagnolia </ST1:PState</ST1:P has stolen the dubious honor from last year's "winner," <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">Louisiana</st1:State></st1:place>.

Its title is well-earned: <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mississippi</st1:place></st1:State> has the highest rate of teenage births in the nation, the highest age-adjusted death rate, the highest infant mortality rate and the highest rate of sexually transmitted diseases. It also has the largest precentage of obese adults and adults who do not exercise.

No. 2: <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">Louisiana</st1:State></st1:place>

The <st1:place w:st="on"><ST1:PPelican </ST1:PState </ST1:P</st1:place>may no longer be the most unhealthy state in the nation, but it's pretty close at No. 2.

<st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Louisiana</st1:place></st1:State> has the second-highest age-adjusted death rate, the second-highest infant mortality rate and the worst access to primary care.

No. 3: <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New Mexico</st1:place></st1:State>

Not living up to its nickname as the <ST1:PLand </ST1:Pof Enchantment</ST1:P, <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New Mexico</st1:place></st1:State> has seen its health care situation continually decline since 1998.

It has the third-highest teenage birth rate, poor prenatal care, high rates of suicide and poor health insurance coverage. The availability of hospital beds and primary care is also poor.

No. 4: <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">Nevada</st1:State></st1:place>

For the fourth year in a row, the <st1:place w:st="on"><ST1:PSilver </ST1:PState </st1:place>remains in the No. 4 spot.

It is the No. 1 worst state for prenatal care and has the second-highest suicide rate in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:country-region w:st="on">America</st1:country-region></st1:place>.

No. 5: <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Florida</st1:place></st1:State>

The <st1:place w:st="on"><ST1:PSunshine State </st1:place>remains as the fifth most unhealthy state for the second year in a row.

The percentage of its population not covered by health insurance is one of the worst in the country. It also ranks fourth for new cancer cases and third for new AIDS cases.

No. 6: <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Georgia</st1:place></st1:country-region>

Things aren't peachy in the <st1:place w:st="on">Peach State </st1:place>when it comes to health. Just 10 years ago, <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Georgia</st1:place></st1:country-region> ranked as the 30th most unhealthy state. Fastforward to today, where it nearly makes the top five.

It ranks fourth for the number of new AIDS cases reported and fifth for the number of sexually transmitted diseases. On the plus side, it has one of the best rates of child immunization.

No. 7: <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">South Carolina</st1:place></st1:State>

For the eleventh year in a row, the <st1:place w:st="on"><ST1:PPalmetto State </st1:place>has fallen into the top ten unhealthy states.

Contributing to its rank are its high percentage of low birthweight babies, high infant mortality rate, high number of new AIDS cases and high rate of sexually transmitted diseases.

No. 8: <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Oklahoma</st1:place></st1:State>

The health outlook wasn't always so poor in the <st1:place w:st="on"><ST1:PSooner </ST1:PState</ST1:P</st1:place>. In 1993, <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Oklahoma</st1:place></st1:State> was in the middle of the pack, instead of topping the list.

Its high teenage birth rate, poor prenatal care, high age-adjusted death rate and high percentage of people not covered by health insurance are just some of the factors keeping it there.

No. 9: <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Alabama</st1:place></st1:State>

Moving two spots up the list, the <st1:place w:st="on"><ST1:PYellowhammer </ST1:PState </ST1:P</st1:place>is just a smidge more unhealthy this year, compared to last year's rankings.

<st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Alabama</st1:place></st1:State> is in the top five for low birthweight babies, age-adjusted death rate, infant mortality, sexually transmitted diseases, poor primary care access, obesity and non-exercising adults.

No. 10: <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Delaware</st1:place></st1:State>

The <st1:place w:st="on"><ST1:PFirst </ST1:PState </ST1:P</st1:place>rejoins the top 10 since its last visit in 2004.

Helping to bring <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Delaware</st1:place></st1:State> down are its percentage of mothers receiving late or no prenatal care, its high infant mortality rate, high rate of new AIDS cases and sexually transmitted diseases.

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15 Most Dangerous States for 2008

The results of CQ Press's annual Crime State Rankings are in. Join us as we reveal which 15 states were ranked as the most dangerous for 2008.

States are compared against the national average for six crimes, each carrying equal weight.

No 1: Nevada

For the fifth consecutive year, <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com<st1:place w:st=" /><st1:State w:st="on">Nevada</st1:State> tops the rankings as the nation's <st1:place w:st="on"><ST1:PMost Dangerous </ST1:PState</ST1:P</st1:place>. On a positive note, however, its property crime rate showed improvement.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)

(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)

Assault: 8

Burglary: 6

Murder: 3

Motor Vehicle Theft: 1

Rape: 8

Robbery: 1

No. 2: <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Louisiana</st1:place></st1:State>

Things have gotten worse in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">Louisiana</st1:State></st1:place>. The state climbs to the No. 2 spot, all the way from the No. 10 spot it held last year. It has the highest murder rate of any state.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50)

Assault: 4

Burglary: 4

Murder: 1

Motor Vehicle Theft: 19

Rape: 15

Robbery: 19

No. 3: <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New Mexico</st1:place></st1:State>

<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">New Mexico</st1:State></st1:place>'s coiffed tourist image of open desert spaces, Earth-conscious living and colorful hot-air balloons belie a serious crime problem in this border state.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50)

Assault: 6

Burglary: 3

Murder: 10 (tie)

Motor Vehicle Theft: 8

Rape: 2

Robbery: 24

No. 4: <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">South Carolina</st1:place></st1:State>

Whatever happened to Southern hospitality? Sunny South Carolina is charged with the highest assault problem in the Most Dangerous States list

Rankings in Crime (out of 50)

Assault: 1

Burglary: 7

Murder: 4 (tie)

Motor Vehicle Theft: 15

Rape: 12

Robbery: 18

No. 5: <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Arizona</st1:place></st1:State>

Another border state tops the list of Most Dangerous States; there's more to fear here than black widow spiders and scorpions.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50)

Assault: 16

Burglary: 12

Murder: 7

Motor Vehicle Theft: 2

Rape: 25

Robbery: 16

No. 6: <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Tennessee</st1:place></st1:State>

<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">Tennessee</st1:State></st1:place> residents might sing about love for country and neighbor, but lag behind in showing it. The state earns the No. 2 slot for most assaults.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50)

Assault: 2

Burglary: 5

Murder: 10 (tie)

Motor Vehicle Theft: 17

Rape: 19

Robbery: 7

No. 7: <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Maryland</st1:place></st1:State>

Hugging the nation's high-crime capital, struggling to revitalize <st1:City w:st="on">Baltimore</st1:City> and growing its gambling industry, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">Maryland</st1:State></st1:place> has the second-highest murder and robbery rate.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50)

Assault: 10

Burglary: 25

Murder: 2

Motor Vehicle Theft: 7

Rape: 46

Robbery: 2

No. 8: <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Alaska</st1:place></st1:State>

<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">Alaska</st1:State></st1:place> is plagued with having the highest number of rape cases. There could be a correlation with alcohol abuse, also known to plague the state.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50)

Assault: 3

Burglary: 29

Murder: 22

Motor Vehicle Theft: 16

Rape: 1

Robbery: 31

No. 9: <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Florida</st1:place></st1:State>

It has been commented on a city-data.com forum that <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">Florida</st1:State></st1:place> crime is not concentrated in one area, but rather spread across the state.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50)

Assault: 5

Burglary: 10

Murder: 15

Motor Vehicle Theft: 12

Rape: 17

Robbery: 5

No. 10: <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Michigan</st1:place></st1:State>

<st1:State w:st="on">Michigan</st1:State> is home to two of the three most dangerous cities in America, according to the latest CM Press city rankings. <st1:City w:st="on">Detroit</st1:City> ranks first and <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Flint</st1:place></st1:City> ranks third.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50)

Assault: 13

Burglary: 18

Murder: 9

Motor Vehicle Theft: 7

Rape: 3

Robbery: 17

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15 Safest States for 2008

No Need to Lock Your Doors?

The results of CQ Press's annual Crime State Rankings are in. Join us as we reveal which 15 states were ranked as the safest for 2008.

And get ready for a surprise! After being in the top spot 9 of the past 10 years, <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com<st1:State w:st="on">North Dakota</st1:State></st1:place> has been knocked from its throne.

No 1: <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">New Hampshire</st1:place></st1:State>

<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">New Hampshire</st1:State></st1:place> is ranked No. 1 for the first time thanks to impressively low crime across the board. It boasts the nation's lowest murder rate and second-lowest aggravated assault and burglary rates.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50 states)

(1 = Worst, 50 = Best)

Assault: 49

Burglary: 49

Murder: 50

Motor Vehicle Theft: 47

Rape: 39

Robbery: 43

No. 2: <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Maine</st1:place></st1:State>

The Pine Tree state has been ranked in the top three each of the past 15 years. It has the lowest assault rate in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region>

Rankings in Crime (out of 50)

Assault: 50

Burglary: 38

Murder: 45

Motor Vehicle Theft: 48

Rape: 40

Robbery: 44

No. 3: <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">North Dakota</st1:place></st1:State>

After dominating the <ST1:PSafest </ST1:PState </ST1:Plist for the past decade, the <st1:place w:st="on"><ST1:PPeace </ST1:PGarden </st1:place>state suffers its lowest ranking since 1996. Its rape rate is mainly to blame.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50)

Assault: 48

Burglary: 46

Murder: 48

Motor Vehicle Theft: 45

Rape: 28

Robbery: 50

No. 4: <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Vermont</st1:place></st1:State>

It's nice to know there are some places left in the world where folks don't have to live under lock and key. <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Vermont</st1:place></st1:State> was the safest state in 2003 along with 1994 & 1996.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50)

Assault: 47

Burglary: 36

Murder: 41

Motor Vehicle Theft: 49

Rape: 42

Robbery: 46

No. 5: <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">South Dakota</st1:State></st1:place>

As one of the safest states to live in, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">South Dakota</st1:State></st1:place> suffers from a shockingly high incidence of rape, but ranks in the top 5 in all other categories.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50)

Assault: 46

Burglary: 48

Murder: 49

Motor Vehicle Theft: 50

Rape: 9

Robbery: 48

No. 6: <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Wyoming</st1:place></st1:State>

<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">Wyoming</st1:State></st1:place> is a great example of a state with low income and low economic growth that does not fall prey to major crime.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50)

Assault: 30

Burglary: 43

Murder: 46

Motor Vehicle Theft: 46

Rape: 36

Robbery: 49

No. 7: <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Montana</st1:place></st1:State>

Some credit <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">Montana</st1:State></st1:place>'s low crime rate to the high level of gun ownership. Since most criminals are looking for easy targets, this may keep some in line. The <st1:place w:st="on"><ST1:PTreasure State </st1:place>has lowest burglary rate in the country.

Rankings in Cime (out of 50)

Assault: 28

Burglary: 50

Murder: 42 (tie)

Motor Vehicle Theft: 41

Rape: 31

Robbery: 47

No. 8: <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Iowa</st1:place></st1:State>

The <st1:place w:st="on">Hawkeye State </st1:place>pulls in the No. 8 ranking for the fourth year in a row thanks to above average scores in all six crime categories.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50)

Assault: 26

Burglary: 30

Murder: 42 (tie)

Motor Vehicle Theft: 42

Rape: 33

Robbery: 42

No. 9: <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Idaho</st1:place></st1:State>

<st1:State w:st="on">Idaho</st1:State> is a regular on most of the best places to live lists published from various media venues, thanks to its much touted city, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Boise</st1:City></st1:place>. But they need to work on that rape statistic.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50)

Assault: 31

Burglary: 37

Murder: 38

Motor Vehicle Theft: 44

Rape: 13

Robbery: 35

No. 10: <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Wisconsin</st1:place></st1:State>

<st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">Wisconsin</st1:State></st1:place> consistently ranks well below the national crime average.

Rankings in Crime (out of 50)

Assault: 38

Burglary: 40

Murder: 33

Motor Vehicle Theft: 36

Rape: 47

Robbery: 28

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Best Places to Retire

Top Neighborhoods

If life after work means more than a beach chair, the best place to retire might be the big city. CNNMoney looked at 30 of the nation's largest metro areas and found the right neighborhoods for you.

<?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com<font face=" /><st1:City w:st="on"></st1:City>

<st1:City w:st="on">Columbus</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">Ohio</st1:State>

<FONT face=Arial>Best place to retire:

Short North

Pros: Super-affordable, close to the university

Cons: Not much in the way of nature around <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Columbus</st1:place></st1:City>, and the downtown is still pretty sleepy

Real estate: One-bedroom condos can be found for $175,000 or so. Two-bedroom rentals can be found for $1,500.

<st1:place w:st="on"><FONT face=Arial><st1:City w:st="on">San Jose</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">Calif.</st1:State></st1:place>

<FONT face=Arial>Best place to retire: SoFA

Pros: Arts scene, education and about 300 sunny days a year

Cons: Construction noise and urban homesteading will be the norm.

Real estate: A one-bedroom goes for $350,000 in SoFA. Prices go up as you move west: up to $450,000 for Willow Glen.

<st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><FONT face=Arial>Boston</st1:place></st1:City>

<FONT face=Arial>Best place to retire:

<st1:place w:st="on">Back Bay</st1:place>

Pros: Within walking distance to almost everything

Cons: Expensive, many buildings lack elevators.

Real estate: The median price for a condo is about $500,000. A decent-sized one-bedroom rental will set you back about $2,400 a month.

<st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><FONT face=Arial>Seattle</st1:place></st1:City>

<FONT face=Arial>Best place to retire: Belltown

Pros: A walkable neighborhood with everything you need

Cons: About 20 minutes to hospitals and not many elevator condos

Real estate: The average median price of a condo rose to $360,000 by 2005. Nice one-bedroom apartments can rent for up to $1,500.

<st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><FONT face=Arial>Denver</st1:place></st1:City>

<FONT face=Arial>Best place to retire: LoDo

Pros: Easy public transit, lots of local restaurants

Cons: No grocery store within the neighborhood

Real estate: A two-bedroom condo in an elevator building sells for about $400,000. You'll pay $1,500 for a two-bedroom rental.

<st1:place w:st="on"><FONT face=Arial><st1:City w:st="on">Nashville</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">Tenn.</st1:State></st1:place>

<FONT face=Arial>Best place to retire: Midtown

Pros: Established neighborhood with new condominium development

Cons: To get downtown you must drive

Real estate: A two-bedroom in a new building will cost $350,000 and up. A rental will cost about $1,600 a month or more.

<st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><FONT face=Arial>Dallas</st1:place></st1:City>

<FONT face=Arial>Best place to retire:

Arts District

Pros: Culture, luxury and a great view

Cons: Expensive, and despite the light rail, this is still a driving town.

Real estate: Expect to pay at least $500,000 at <st1:place w:st="on">One </ST1:PArts </ST1:PPlaza</ST1:P</st1:place>. Patio homes across the city start under $200,000.

<FONT face=Arial><st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Indianapolis</st1:place></st1:City>

<FONT face=Arial>Best place to retire:

<st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Mass Ave</st1:address></st1:Street>

Pros: A great eclectic stretch along <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Mass Ave</st1:address></st1:Street>

Cons: Still a little sleepy compared to other American cities

Real estate: Basic condos can go for $200,000. A 1,000 square-foot top-floor rental right on <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Mass Ave</st1:address></st1:Street> is $1,000 a month.

<st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><FONT face=Arial>Phoenix</st1:place></st1:City>

<FONT face=Arial>Best place to retire:

<st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Copper Square</st1:address></st1:Street>

Pros: You're in the Southwest.

Cons: Light rail will only have one line, so don't throw away your car keys. And, it's hot.

Real estate: Most new condos start around $300,000. A 1,000-square-foot apartment often goes for under $1,000.

<st1:place w:st="on"><FONT face=Arial><st1:City w:st="on">Jacksonville</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">Fla.</st1:State></st1:place>

<FONT face=Arial>Best place to retire:

Riverside/Avondale

Pros: Weather, art, eclectic shopping, and river views.

Cons: There's little public transportation, a lot of traffic, and limited real estate and rentals. Real estate: A comfortable loft can be found in the $300,000s. A two-bedroom rental near the river is $1,400.

<FONT face=Arial>################################################

<FONT face=Arial><FONT size=3>

<FONT face=Arial><FONT size=3>13 Worst Places to Retire

<FONT face=Arial>Retiree Hot Spot? Not!

<FONT face=Arial>If you plan on relocating to live out your golden years in a new locale, you may want to make sure it's not to one of these 13 places. Depending on what's important to you, these destinations could turn your dream into a nightmare.

<st1:place w:st="on"><FONT face=Arial><st1:City w:st="on">Clearwater City</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">Fla.</st1:State></st1:place>

<FONT face=Arial>Too Many Fellow Seniors

This Tampa Bay area hamlet has the highest percentage of seniors of any <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region> city. This "graying" of <st1:State w:st="on">Florida</st1:State> in general, has caused many retirees to change their mind and leave, fleeing the bland culture, extreme weather and high real estate and homeowner's insurance prices of <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Florida</st1:place></st1:State>.

<st1:place w:st="on"><FONT face=Arial><st1:City w:st="on">Austin</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">Texas</st1:State></st1:place>

<FONT face=Arial>Hard Time Getting a Doctor Who Takes Medicare

The rate Medicare pays doctors is so low that many are refusing to take new Medicare patients. That used to be a problem primarily for rural areas, but now it's spreading to cities. A 2006 Texas Medical Association survey found that only 43 percent of <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Austin</st1:place></st1:City> doctors would take new Medicare patients.

<st1:place w:st="on"><FONT face=Arial><st1:City w:st="on">Anchorage</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">Alaska</st1:State></st1:place>

<FONT face=Arial>Fewest Fellow Seniors

If you like to be with people your own age, <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">Alaska</st1:State></st1:place> may be lonely. The state has only about half the percentage of seniors as the rest of the country. <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Anchorage</st1:place></st1:City> is at the bottom of rankings for percentage of residents over 65. It ranked 240 out of 245 cities with at lest 100,000 people. Only 5.5 percent of Anchoragites are seniors.

<st1:place w:st="on"><FONT face=Arial><st1:City w:st="on">Bridgeport</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">Conn.</st1:State></st1:place>

<FONT face=Arial>Highest Taxes

In retirement, income taxes aren't going to matter much. It's the property taxes that are going to kill you. This year <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Connecticut</st1:place></st1:State> ranked as having the highest taxes if you consider state, local and federal contributions. In 2003, <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Bridgeport</st1:place></st1:City>, a troubled city with some lovely beachfront neighborhoods, ranked as tops in local taxes: 17.7 percent.

<st1:place w:st="on"><FONT face=Arial><st1:City w:st="on">Washington</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">D.C.</st1:State></st1:place>

<FONT face=Arial>Most Poor Seniors

Nearly one in five <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">Washington</st1:State></st1:place> seniors is poor. In the 2005 American Community Survey, the Census Bureau found that 17.4 percent of those over 65 were living in poverty in the <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">District of Columbia</st1:place></st1:State> (with a margin of error of 2.4 percent).

<st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><FONT face=Arial>Rhode Island</st1:place></st1:State>

<FONT face=Arial>Least Older Men

Ladies of a certain age have a hard enough time finding male companionship. That's because men die younger. In <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Rhode Island</st1:place></st1:State>, the odds are even worse: 59 percent of those aged 65 and over are female. On the flip side, if you are looking for female companionship, the odds are in your favor.

<st1:place w:st="on"><FONT face=Arial><st1:City w:st="on">Provo</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">Utah</st1:State></st1:place>

<FONT face=Arial>Most Youthful Population

The median age in <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Provo</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">Utah</st1:State></st1:place> is a mere 22.9 -- the lowest median age of any place with a population of 100,000 or more. You might find it hard to fit in with all those youngsters. Plus, towns like <st1:City w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Provo</st1:place></st1:City> may offer more services geared toward families with small children.

<st1:place w:st="on"><FONT face=Arial><st1:City w:st="on">Queens</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">N.Y.</st1:State></st1:place>

<FONT face=Arial>Violence and the Boulevard of Death

Senior citizens in <st1:place w:st="on">Queens</st1:place> have had it hard. First there was the Boulevard of Death, a stretch of <st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on">Queens Boulevard</st1:address></st1:Street> with a long way to cross in a short time. After dozens of deaths, largely of seniors, officials finally gave pedestrians a few more seconds to cross. This spring a crack-addicted mugger targeted the elderly.

<st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><FONT face=Arial>Connecticut</st1:place></st1:State>

<FONT face=Arial>Deficient Nursing Homes

About 17 percent of nursing homes in the U.S. have been found to have a serious deficiency -- something that causes actual harm, impairs the patient's ability to function or puts a patient in jeopardy. In <st1:State w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Connecticut</st1:place></st1:State>, however, that percent is a scary 43 percent.

<FONT face=Arial>Your Kid's House

<FONT face=Arial>'King of Queens' may be a funny show, but nobody wants to be the crotchety senior in-law causing trouble for the next generation. According to a 2005 survey, only 2 percent of retirees want to move in with their kids.

<st1:place w:st="on"><FONT face=Arial><st1:City w:st="on">Green Valley</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">Ariz.</st1:State></st1:place>

<FONT face=Arial>Trouble in a Sheltered Community

This once idyllic retirement town is now facing a drug violence problem. It lies just 40 miles north of the Mexican border where gangs of bandits known as bajadores carry AK-47s and ambush trucks of smugglers sneaking up from <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">Mexico</st1:place></st1:country-region>.

<st1:place w:st="on"><FONT face=Arial><st1:City w:st="on">Corpus Christi</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">Texas</st1:State></st1:place>

<FONT face=Arial>Hottest Feeling City

Storms may be scarier, but heat usually causes more American deaths than any kind of weather. And <st1:City w:st="on">Corpus Christi</st1:City> is the hottest city in the <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region>, averaging a heat index of 110 for July and August. At that temperature, sunstroke, heat cramps and heat exhaustion are all likely.

<st1:place w:st="on"><FONT face=Arial><st1:City w:st="on">Riverside</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">Calif.</st1:State></st1:place>

<FONT face=Arial>Declining Property Values

Retirees are leaning more heavily on the value of their homes, so communities poised for price declines could be dangerous places to move. The Riverside-San Bernardino area was ranked as the most likely metro area in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">America</st1:place></st1:country-region> to suffer housing price declines over the next two years.

[bhaktajan 0]

The Most Toxic Cities in the <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com<st1:country-region w:st="on">U.S.</st1:country-region></st1:place>

Which Metro Area Has the Most Contamination?

 

Relying on the data collection from Environmental Data Resources, BusinessWeek has compiled a list of the most toxic cities

EDR defines site contamination as the presence of man-made chemicals or other alteration in the natural soil environment. Contaminated site totals identify leaking storage tanks and corrective action reports.

No. 1: <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Baltimore</st1:City></st1:place>

Contaminated sites: Approx. 1 for every 30 people 88,284 total (4th highest in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region>)

Leaking storage tanks: 0

Corrective action reports: 23 (13th highest in <st1:country-region w:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on">U.S.</st1:place></st1:country-region>)

Is Your Town Toxic?

No. 2: <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Milwaukee</st1:City></st1:place>

Contaminated sites: Approx. 1 for every 32 people 47,531 total (11th)

Leaking storage tanks: 3,872 (7th)

Corrective action reports: 41 (7th)

No. 3: <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Portland</st1:City>, <st1:State w:st="on">Ore.</st1:State></st1:place>

Contaminated sites: Approx. 1 for every 34 people 62,466 total (7th)

Leaking storage tanks: 20,655 (1st)

Corrective action reports: 10 (17th)

No. 4: <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Los Angeles</st1:City></st1:place>

Contaminated sites: Approx. 1 for every 48 people 271,360 total (1st)

Leaking storage tanks: 9,920 (2nd)

Corrective action reports: 159 (2nd)

No. 5: Minneapolis-Saint Paul

Contaminated sites: Approx. 1 for every 48 people 65,969 total (5th)

Leaking storage tanks: 4,444 (6th)

Corrective action reports: 52 (5th)