10 Healthiest Cities for Women

While doing some internet surfing, I came across an article for "10 Healthiest Cities for Women."  I was instantly drawn in when I noticed their number 1 city.  Keep reading too see what it is!

10. Miami, FL: While the city is known for showing a lot of skin, they take care of it as well.  They have the lowest risk of dying from skin cancer.  This may be due to the increase of shade in the city.  Many playgrounds have a shady canopy covering them.  Maybe that's something we should talk about in the Cedar Valley.

9. Bethesda, MD: Women in Bethesda know how to keep their breasts healthy.  Four in five women older than 40 have had a recent mammogram, and residents are 12 percent less likely to die of breast cancer.  Many residents are very active in promoting breast cancer awareness and raising money for Susan G. Komen.

8. Seattle, WA: This city is home to healthy lovers.  It poses 29 percent fewer sexually transmitted infections, and 43 percent fewer deaths from cervical cancer.  Washington laws require prescription plans to cover birth control, which many states don't.  Members of the community support Planned Parenthood.

7. Denver, CO: People from Denver prove to be very active.  Of these members of the community, 79 percent reported to exercising recently, while 41 percent more of commuters bike to work.  The city has more gyms than you will find in most cities, and the city is among the five leanest places in the country.

6. Honolulu, HI: Women from Hawaii simply get sick less often, while they also have the lowest rate of cancer, depression, migraines, insomnia, asthma and allergies.  Ladies from Honolulu are 27 percent less likely to die from heart disease, and their life expectancy is 3.5 years longer, on average.

5. Raleigh, NC: Carolina women live happier lives.  They report high satisfaction with life, and they report 14 percent fewer days that they feel bummed out.  The city also reports less employment than the typical rate.  Women in this area feel more social and emotional support.

4. San Jose, CA: San Jose reports having some of the safest streets, with one-third fewer crimes and nearly 60 percent fewer fatal crashes than average.  The city has wider sidewalks and bike lanes, which may contribute to this significant difference.

3. Santa Barbara, CA: Following the California trend, Santa Barbara reports having some of the healthiest eaters in the country.  Women here eat 36 servings of produce a week, which is four more than the average city.  There is 80 percent fewer fast food restaurants, four times more organic-food producers, and nearly 40 percent more farmers' markets in the city.

2. Cambridge, MA: The city has five colleges and universities, which carries over to its health habits.  This area scored high in wellness and safety.  Residents of this area stay active - 80 percent more of the people walk to work than the average amount.  In the area, more than 97 percent of the women have insurance, making it much easier for them to afford a doctor.  More women here get exams, such as mammograms and Paps than anywhere else.

And our number 1 city is...

1. Des Moines, IA: As many of us Iowans may know, Des Moines is known for being a green city.  It contains 334 parks and miles of trails along prairies, riverbeds, and Saylorville Lake.