Montana Ranks Worst in America for Youth Health, New Study Finds

Raising my two kids here in Montana, I always tried to do the best I could to keep them healthy and happy. Looking back, I think we did okay. 

Understanding the Challenges for Montana Youth

What I didn't realize at the time was just how many challenges Montana kids face simply by growing up here. 

A new study from WalletHub puts those challenges into perspective, ranking Montana as the 12th most at-risk state for youth in the nation. 

Life in Montana: The Struggles of Rural Living

Unfortunately, that overall ranking didn't surprise me all that much. Life in Montana can be tough. Families deal with rising costs, long travel distances for services, and the unique challenges that come with living in a rural state. 

What did surprise me was one specific category. 

READ MORE: New Program for Teens in Missoula Leads to Impressive Student-Led Projects

WalletHub analyzed multiple factors to determine which states have the most at-risk youth. One of the categories focused on youth health, and that's where Montana finished No. 1 for the worst youth health ranking. 

Factors Contributing to Youth Health Challenges

The study examined several factors, including: 

• Share of overweight and obese youth  
• Share of youth who used illicit drugs in the past month  
• Share of youth reporting heavy drinking  
• Youth depression rates  
• Share of physically, mentally, or emotionally inhibited youth  

When all of those measurements were combined, Montana ranked last in the country. Hawaii's youth health ranking is the best in the country. 

I've seen Montana rank near the top of concerning lists before, including studies showing the state has some of the nation's most dangerous roads for teen drivers. But I wasn't aware that our youth health challenges were this significant. 

READ MORE: Driving in Montana Is Still Riskier Than Anywhere Else for Teens

These numbers should serve as a reminder that there's still plenty of work to do. 

Empowering Children Towards a Healthier Future

Making sure kids have access to healthy food, opportunities to stay active, strong mental health resources, and time away from screens can all make a difference. Montana offers incredible opportunities to get outdoors and live an active lifestyle, but clearly many young people are still struggling. 

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Our kids are one of Montana's greatest assets. Hopefully, studies like this will help bring more attention to the issues affecting them and encourage communities across the state to continue investing in their health and well-being.