Nov. 5, 2007 -- Vermont has moved into the No. 1 position as the nation's healthiest state, according to an annual 50-state survey released Monday.

Vermont eclipsed Minnesota in 2007 as the nation's overall healthiest state. But the nation's overall health picture got slightly worse from last year to this year.

"We are displeased and unhappy to have to report that this year the health of the nation is less good than it was last year. In fact, the health of the nation has slipped by about three tenths of a percent," says Reed Tuckson, MD, senior vice president of the United Health Foundation, which has issued the survey for the last 18 years.

The study's overall national scores have stagnated or declined since 2000. Authors attribute the drop to rising obesity, now affecting more than 25% of the population.

The survey uses a combined score of health indicators and policy questions to rank all 50 states. Obesity rates, tobacco and alcohol use, and high school graduation rates are accounted for, as are state laws and regulations promoting better health. The survey measures access to health services and also environmental issues like pollution, infectious disease rates, and crime.