Burlington is America's 'Healthiest City'

Education, higher incomes and the availability of healthy food choices contribute to making Burlington, Vermont America's healthiest city.

1 minute read

November 17, 2008, 12:00 PM PST

By Michael Dudley


"Vermont's largest city [Burlington] is tops among U.S. metropolitan areas by having the largest proportion of people -- 92 percent -- who say they are in good or great health. It's also among the best in exercise and among the lowest in obesity, diabetes and other measures of ill health, according to a recent report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Bicycling, hiking, skiing and other exercises are common in Burlington. Neighborhood groups commonly focus on improving parks, working in community gardens and repairing and improving sidewalks.

Grass-fed beef is offered in finer restaurants, vegan options are plentiful, and the lone downtown supermarket is run by a co-op successful in selling bulk rice and other healthy choices to low-income residents.

Burlington is [also] helped by the presence of IBM and other employers offering more generous health benefits and corporate wellness programs."

Monday, November 17, 2008 in CNN

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I love the variety of courses, many practical, and all richly illustrated. They have inspired many ideas that I've applied in practice, and in my own teaching. Mary G., Urban Planner

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