Key Takeaways
A new scorecard ranks U.S. states on climate risks to public health and health care systems
Vermont leads the country in readiness; West Virginia ranks last in climate preparedness, the study says
States with strong clean energy policies are better equipped to protect public health
WEDNESDAY, Oct. 1, 2025 (HealthDay News) — A new Commonwealth Fund report offers the first state-by-state ranking of how vulnerable individual health and health care systems are to climate risks.
The report analyzed all 50 states and Washington, D.C., looking at factors like extreme heat, flooding and air quality, as well as policies to combat these threats.
Vermont was ranked the best state for its climate preparedness and low health risk, while West Virginia ranked last. States in the Nor