Providence at lower end of healthiest cities in U.S. list

WALLETHUB said Providence ranks 78th among the 150 largest cities in the US. on its healthiest cities list. / COURTESY WALLETHUB
WALLETHUB said Providence ranks 78th among the 150 largest cities in the US. on its healthiest cities list. / COURTESY WALLETHUB

PROVIDENCE – When it comes to the healthiest metropolitan areas in America, Providence ranks in the lower half, according to the latest study by personal finance website WalletHub.

WalletHub on Monday said it ranked the 150 most populated cities across 34 key indicators of good health, including cost of a doctor visit, fruit and vegetable consumption, fitness clubs per capita, as well as family doctors and dentists per capita.

Based on that criteria, Rhode Island’s capital city ranked 78th. Boston ranked the highest among New England cities at 31st. The healthiest city? San Francisco, followed by Salt Lake City and Scottsdale, Ariz. Last on the list was Detroit.

Providence received its highest rank in the “green space” subcategory, rising to 32nd. But in the subcategory of “health care,” it fell to 134th, dragging down its overall rank.

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Providence also tied with Worcester, Mass., for having the fifth-highest medical visit costs.
WalletHub said it conducted the study in light of national discussions about health care reform and because U.S. life expectancy has declined for the first time since 1993. Average life expectancy, for someone born in 2015, fell from 78.9 years to 78.8 years.

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