State Profile

Virginia

Population (2019): 8.535 million

Virginia’s public health outcomes generally lead those of the United States, and it has taken several steps that strengthened its preparedness for public health emergencies. Deaths owed to drug misuse, alcohol, or suicide trail the country as a whole. Its rates of obesity and related conditions indicate a mixed picture, with the percentage of adults with obesity lower than the U.S. median, as rates of diabetes and hypertension rank in the middle of the pack. Finally, the state achieved a score of eight out of a possible 10 measures of public health preparedness for diseases, disasters, and bioterrorism.