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Saturday, December 5, 2009

The five healthiest cities for women in the U.S.A. and what you can do to make yours better

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Across this great land of ours, women are getting a vastly different experience depending on where they call home, but Self magazine has ranked 100 cities across the U.S.A. to determine which city was the best place to be a girl. Hands down, the lucky ladies in San Francisco, CA, are the healthiest overall, with the lowest incidence of obesity or diabetes of any other city surveyed, plus the most OB/GYNs per capita and the best dental health opportunities. San Francisco also was runner-up as having the fittest population and the healthiest eaters (gee, think those go hand in hand)? The city also received high marks for having one of the best environments in the nation. It really is better by the Bay!

The five healthiest cities for women, overall, according to Self's ranking:
1. San Francisco, CA
2. Nassau-Suffolk counties, NY
3. San Jose, CA
4. Honolulu, HI
5. Burlington, VT

That's all great if you live on Russian Hill with a view of the harbor, but what about the rest of us? What can those of us with cities that are low on the totem pole (or didn't make the cut) to do?
  • Get to know your neighbors. The first step in creating a healthy community is to create a healthy community, which means you'll need to get out there and meet your neighbors, get to know your local business owners and chat with the people you see at the jogging track.
  • Become one with your surroundings. Get involved, eradicate graffiti, pick up those pieces of trash you step over on your way through the parking lot, and don't litter (and don't kid yourself. Throwing your cigarette butts out of your car window is littering...those things take years to decompose).
  • Green Thumbs Up! What to do if you're staring at scorched patches of earth and garbage alongside your daily commute? Try a little civic improvement and improve your environment with some guerrilla gardening. Not only will it make your view prettier but it will also filter some of that smog and pollution, and maybe inspire someone else to take pride in their surroundings. Bonus points if you research native plants and flowers that won't require lots of fertilizing or care.
  • Pick a health concern and make it your pet cause. Hate smoking in public places? Start a campaign to get it banned. Worried about kids having unprotected sex or the lack of affordable medical care for impoverished women? Volunteer at a free clinic or become a mentor. Or get angry and make some noise! Look what it did for Erin Brockovich!
  • Need some more ideas? Read this.
To see where your city stacked up, you can click on Self's map here.

MORE FROM ELASTIC WAIST AND SELF:

[photo credit: Getty Images]

Related: women, wellness, self, littering, healthy communities, healthy cities, guerilla gardening, free clinics

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From the Community…

Comments 1-10 of 35
  • Cynthia B's Avatar
    Posted by Cynthia B Tue Jul 15, 2008 1:13pm PDT

    Nassau-Suffolk counties, NY I wouldn't have even thought New York would make the list! I am already here and do not hve to move! Yeah!

    Report Abuse
  • =]'s Avatar
    Posted by =] Tue Jul 15, 2008 1:25pm PDT

    omgggggg i live there in ny! howwww coool

    Report Abuse
  • joyce j's Avatar
    Posted by joyce j Wed Jul 16, 2008 12:57am PDT

    that's very interesting, because i live in san jose and i never knew it would be the 3rd of the top 5 healthiest cities in the US.

    Report Abuse
  • Mmgirl's Avatar
    Posted by Mmgirl Wed Jul 16, 2008 9:30am PDT

    I think most of Bay is pretty healthy! I don't in to SanFran very often but just moved from San Jose. They must have only polled the nice areas cause that place is mostly ghetto and college kids.

    Report Abuse
  • Jasmine's Avatar
    Posted by Jasmine Wed Jul 16, 2008 9:37am PDT

    b---- f--- you, aint s--- wrong with bein ghetto

    Report Abuse
  • Lourika's Avatar
    Posted by Lourika Wed Jul 16, 2008 10:02am PDT

    Makes me realize how lucky I am... I live in San Francisco and my walk to work overlooks the Bay and Alcatraz. I'm not going anywhere just yet.. just bought a new bike as well! Hello healthy lifestyle!

    Report Abuse
  • Ali's Avatar
    Posted by Ali Wed Jul 16, 2008 10:10am PDT

    NY baby!!! I live in the suffolk are and its great for a girl in her 20's like me!!!

    Plus you have the city so close and the beach to go and have fun!!

    Report Abuse
  • c's Avatar
    Posted by c Wed Jul 16, 2008 10:23am PDT

    what kind of study did they do to come up with this data? I find this hard to believe...sounds more like a marketing ploy to get females moving into these areas if you ask me.

    Report Abuse
  • Sarah's Avatar
    Posted by Sarah Wed Jul 16, 2008 11:43am PDT

    People out there do you know what is the greatest thing in the world? What is the supreme good? LOVE (Above all things have fervent love among yourselves.)God is Love he does want you to be happy and healthy so go to church and find out for yourself don't look at people for that love that only God can give you feel it for your self. Then you will give that love of God to others. God Bless all of you out there. God is LOVE.

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  • Mmgirl's Avatar
    Posted by Mmgirl Wed Jul 16, 2008 11:51am PDT

    Sorry minxie222 I prefer not to get shot on my way to work. Thanks! There is plenty wrong with being ghetto. Like try to get a job where you need to professional. Yeah not gonna happen!

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Comments 1-10 of 35

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