By DAN MARGOLIES
Kansas dropped seven places in a report assessing which states are the healthiest for seniors while Missouri moved up one spot.

The third edition of the United Health Foundation’s “America’s Health Rankings Senior Report” rated Kansas 24th in overall health for seniors and Missouri 38th.

The report looked at 35 measures of senior health in categories including behavior, community and environment, policy, clinical care and health outcomes.

Kansas’ strengths, according to the report, include a low prevalence of chronic drinking, high rates of volunteerism and few poor mental health days. Its weaknesses include a high percentage of low-care nursing home residents (45th worst in the country), low enrollment in the SNAP/Food Stamp program (40th) and a low percentage of diabetes management (41st).

Missouri’s strengths include low prevalence of underweight seniors, ready availability of home-delivered meals and high flu vaccination coverage. Its weaknesses include a high prevalence of smoking (42nd worst), a high percentage of low-care nursing home residents (47th) and a high prevalence of teeth extractions (47th).

Vermont was rated the healthiest state for seniors and Louisiana the worst.

Dan Margolies is a reporter for Heartland Health Monitor, a news collaboration focusing on health issues and their impact in Missouri and Kansas.