Press Release  Massachusetts Ranked #1 State in the Nation for Women’s and Children’s Health

BOSTON — Massachusetts has been ranked the number one state in the nation for the health of women and children, according to the America’s Health Rankings 2026 Health of Women and Children Report, released today by the United Health Foundation. This year marks the 10th consecutive year Massachusetts has ranked among the top states in the country for the health and well-being of women and children.

“We’re proud that Massachusetts is ranked number one in the country for the health of women and children. It reflects the incredible work happening every day to support families and make sure they have access to high-quality health care,” said Governor Maura Healey. “But we also know there is more work to do, particularly to close disparities and make sure everyone can get the care and support they need. That’s why I’m working every day to increase access to primary, mental health and maternal health care, while also finding ways to lower costs for patients.”

“Our administration has made the health and well-being of children and families a priority because we know that healthy families are the foundation of strong communities,” said Lieutenant Governor Kim Driscoll.  “It’s a credit to the doctors, nurses, clinicians, public health workers, teachers and community organizations who show up for families every day. We’re going to keep working alongside them to build on this progress and make sure families in every community have the support they need.”

The report examines a broad range of measures affecting the health of women and children, including health outcomes, access to clinical care, social and economic factors, and the physical environment. The 2026 report includes data through 2024 and ranks Massachusetts alongside Vermont, New Hampshire, Minnesota, and Connecticut in the top five states. 

Massachusetts ranked particularly well for its low infant mortality rate, low prevalence of obesity among women and high prevalence of food sufficiency among children. The state also has the lowest teen suicide rate in the country, at 4.6 deaths per 100,000 adolescents ages 15-19, and the highest concentration of pediatricians, with 224.2 pediatricians per 100,000 individuals ages 0-21.

The report also identifies areas where Massachusetts has more work to do, including illicit drug use among teens, cervical cancer screening and the prevalence of infants exclusively breastfed for six months.

Nationally, the report shows progress over the past decade in several important areas, including declines in infant mortality, cigarette smoking during pregnancy and teen births, as well as improvements in preventive care. 

At the same time, the report identifies worsening maternal health outcomes, growing mental health challenges, increased chronic conditions among women and persistent disparities across the nation. The report notes that racial disparities in maternal and infant health persist, and it emphasizes the need for sustained public health and clinical efforts to improve outcomes over time.

“Throughout my career, I’ve seen firsthand that a person’s health is shaped long before they walk into a doctor’s office — by whether they can put healthy food on the table, feel safe in their community and get appropriate support when challenges arise,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Kiame Mahaniah, MD, MBA. “Being ranked number one in the nation is a testament to the people across Massachusetts who work every day to give women and children the opportunity to be healthy and thrive. It also challenges us to keep pushing forward. We need to build on what is working, confront the disparities that persist and make sure every family, in every community, can benefit from the progress we’ve made.”

“Massachusetts has long understood that investing in the health of women, infants, and children is one of the most important ways we can support and strengthen the health of our Commonwealth,” said Public Health Commissioner Robbie Goldstein, MD, PhD. “We are proud of the progress reflected in this ranking, but a number cannot provide a full picture. Too many families still experience unacceptable disparities in health outcomes based on race, ethnicity, geography, income, and other factors. Our goal is to provide every woman, child, and family in Massachusetts the opportunity to be healthy and to thrive. That means listening to communities, investing in proven public health strategies, and focusing resources where they can have the greatest impact.”

Governor Healey has taken a number of steps to address these challenges, particularly around maternal health, mental health, primary care and affordability. In 2024, Governor Healey signed comprehensive maternal health legislation to expand access to care, improve maternal health outcomes and address racial and geographic disparities. She also recently announced additional actions to strengthen postpartum and maternal mental health care, including expanding the Welcome Family universal postpartum home visiting program and MCPAP for Moms, which helps providers identify and treat mental health and substance use concerns during pregnancy and the postpartum period. The Department of Public Health is also updating postpartum screening requirements to better identify perinatal mood and anxiety disorders and connect families with care.

Governor Healey has also increased funding for mental health services, including for counseling in schools. She expanded access to care through the state’s 31 Community Behavioral Health Centers and the Behavioral Health Help Line. She introduced legislation to hold social media platforms accountable for the harm they’ve caused on kids’ mental health and self-esteem and recently proposed an additional $100 million to help schools retain mental health counselors and services.

Governor Healey has also taken action to lower health care costs, including capping co-pays and deductibles and eliminating prior authorizations for routine care. In response to recommendations from her Health Care Affordability Working Group, she directed MassHealth to increase spending on primary care and is taking action to reduce out-of-network costs.

The Healey-Driscoll Administration will continue building on this progress and investing in the care and supports that help all Massachusetts residents stay healthy, while working to close disparities and improve outcomes in every community.

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