8. New Jersey

The Garden State made a major jump from last year's healthy rankings, climbing nine spots. State strengths include low rates for smoking (3rd) and obesity (fourth), and a high rate of graduating New Jersey high schoolers (6th).

New Jersey could improve its 30th ranking for sedentary lifestyle, and reduce its high rate of preventable hospitalizations (33rd) and get more residents insured (33rd).

Last year: 17

Credit: AP Photo, file