Charlotte isn’t the healthiest place on earth. But if these 2005 statistics from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are any indicator, we don’t quite deserve the biscuits-and-gravy, clogged-artery reputation so frequently associated with the American South.
81.7 percent of adults in the Charlotte region have health insurance.
U.S. Median: 85.9
23.2 percent of adults in Charlotte region reported no leisure-time physical activity in past month.
U.S. Median: Same
23.9 percent of Charlotte-area adults exercised vigorously for at least 20 minutes three times a week.
U.S. Median: 28.0
21.3 percent of Charlotte-area adults smoked 100-plus cigarettes and currently smoke.
U.S. Median: 20.6
12.2 percent of Charlotte-area adults reported binge drinking (having five or more drinks at least once in the past month).
U.S. Median: 14.1
59.8 percent of Charlotte-area adults are overweight.
U.S. Median: 61.5
This article appears in May 30-30, 2007.
