Map shows best and worst states for children's health care

A WalletHub report used 33 metrics across three categories to rank states on children's health care and found Massachusetts first while Mississippi and several other states ranked lowest.

A new WalletHub report ranks the 50 states and the District of Columbia on children's health care using 33 metrics across three categories. The analysis draws on data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the CDC, the American Dental Association, the U.S. Department of Agriculture and other sources, with data current as of March 10, 2026. WalletHub reported that about 94 percent of children have health insurance, but families still face high costs, with workers contributing an average of $6,850 annually toward employer-sponsored family coverage. The rankings compare access to care, nutrition and physical activity, and oral health to show differences in outcomes among jurisdictions. Key findings: - WalletHub compared all 50 states and Washington, D.C., using 33 metrics in three dimensions: Kids' Health and Access to Health Care; Kids' Nutrition, Physical Activity and Obesity; and Kids' Oral Health. - About 94 percent of children were reported as having health insurance, while workers averaged $6,850 per year toward employer-sponsored family coverage, highlighting a gap between coverage rates and affordability. - Massachusetts ranked first overall, with the lowest share of uninsured children (1.6 percent), the third-lowest infant-death rate, the second-lowest death rate for children under 14, and the lowest reported soda consumption among children. - Rhode Island ranked second and was noted for a low share of households reporting trouble paying children's medical bills (6.5 percent), more children's hospitals per capita, relatively low out-of-pocket pediatric costs, and over 80 percent of children ages 19 to 35 months receiving the combined seven-vaccine series according to CDC data. - Connecticut ranked third, supported by a high number of pediatricians and family doctors per capita, the highest share of children ages 19 to 35 months with the combined seven-vaccine series, strong nutrition access metrics, a low uninsured rate, and low child mortality measures. - Lowest-ranked states included Mississippi, Arizona, Alaska, Montana and Kentucky; WalletHub analyst Chip Lupo said the quality of children's health care should be an important consideration for parents when deciding where to live. Summary: The rankings underscore variations across states in insurance coverage, access to pediatric and dental care, nutrition, and child health outcomes. Undetermined at this time.