A new report ranks Vermont as the healthiest state in the country for a second year in a row.

The report by the United Health Foundation, the American Public Health Association and the Partnership for Prevention says Vermont has made progress in areas where the rest of the country needs improvement.

According to the report released Wednesday, smoking has dropped to 17 percent of the population, obesity is rising at a slower rate than in the rest of the country and few Vermonters lack health insurance.

After Vermont, Hawaii was the second healthiest state, followed by New Hampshire.

Louisiana was at the bottom of the list as the least healthy state with its high rate of obesity, children in poverty and uninsured residents.